whats the difference between..

[EvesMama]

a back boiler and a combi boiler??

i know obviously where they're positioned, but if there a major disadvantage to having a back boiler over a combi..
thanks everyone

havent got a clue, if no answer by tomorow il ask my dad, hes a plumber/heating engineer, hes away tonight

Isnt a combi-boiler where you always have hot water, no need to turn the heating on to get it etc??

I have a combi boiler, when the heating isn't on, the water isn't so hot and when you run a bath or a sink you have to start the tap off at a dribble otherwise it runs cold (or is it just me?) but otherwise, I can't fault it! I had storage heaters before and I wouldn' go back to that!

i always thought of a back boiler as a bad thing? dont know why.
house weve seen today which we love has two fires and one of which is fronting the back boiler which it says provides the heating???am puzzled and would it be a big job to change it, if it is a prob????

My back boiler provides my hot water and a radiator

The hot water is on an emmersion when the fire isn't lit

Is there a back up heating system or is it just on the fire?

sorry for being dim, buts what does emmersion mean?

we only have brief house details here at minute and it just says fire ..blah blah, with back boiler serving radiators???

just ggogled trying to find out and to change to combi and new radiators etc, seems im looking at best part of £4'000
please someone put my mind at rest!

I understand a back boiler to be a sort of central heating unit behind a fire, either solid fuel or gas. We've had a combi boiler here for about 9yrs and haven't had any problems at all. Hth.

The radiators will only be on when the fire is - is it an open fire or stove or gas?

An emmersion is a hot water tank - it heats the water by electric

\link{http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/boilers.htm\diagram} I think with a combi boiler - you don;t have a hot water storage tank. It 'fires up' when you turn the tap on

a back boiler is heated by a fire

\link{http://www.centralheating.co.uk/index/fuseaction/site.articleDetail/con_id/5175\look here}

so to have hot water id actually need to put the fire on??
its a gas fire BTW

As it's a gas fire it should be on a separate switch (Mine was(

So you can put the heating on without putting the fire on

Back boilers are less popular so reduce the value of a house - worth bearing in mind if you like it and want to make an offer.

Also probably means heating system is quite elderly so worth checking when it was installed and how well-maintained it is.

well house is £5-£10 less than other asking prices in area, but house is beautiful, we thought reduction was because it doesnt have a proper drive and garage is knackerd..will ask agent more about it mon-tue when they re open, but am quite calm about it now if theres a switch and it doesnt mean putting fire on in middle of summer to get a bath!
but they are type of people to have all service records so at least i can look into it.plus she's a childminder, so would ofsted social services check gas appliances or require them to be checked???

anyone know if better or worse then??
will start nuther thread, maybe hub2dee or someone may know whats best??