Back Boiler V Combi/Condenser Boiler???

[EvesMama]

hi

just had offer accepted this morning on a lovely new house.
only thing that im questioning is boiler..its aback boiler working the radiators which are pretty big ones...im going to check that its been getting serviced, but am at a loss as to wether back boilers are ancient/dangerous/no good?
we got a bit off house and have a decent deposit to put down, but really need to put it allinto house as i am yet to start childminding so only one income..would a change to combi/condenser be expensive?? and would i have to change radiators too???
TIA

We have just had a replacment combi boiler fitted. The total cost was about £2,000, including having the radiators flushed. You do not need new radiators. New boilers are very much more efficient than old ones, but it will take quite a few years to recover 2 grand.

Our builder says that boilers have a life of about 10-12 years. So if it is older than that, then replace it. Less than 8 years old (say), then keep it.

well i think back boiler will prob be a lot older than that?..

You can still buy back boliers, so it may not be old at all. See \link{http://home.btconnect.com/centralheating/helpmate/Central_Heating/back_boiler.htm\back boliers}.

Typing

thankyou for that
very helpful!
we are going back to house saturday to measure up etc(so long as mortgage go's through tomorrow..fingers crossed!)..and i will look for and ask these things when talking to present owners..thanks again!

back boiler means it is heated by the fire or a stove or something (I think), combi boiler etc means heated by gas or oil generally.

New boilers including installation are probably ball park figure of 2-3 K. And as someone else said new boilers should be much more efficient than old ones.

If the old one is working then probably stick with it for a while but budget to get a new one within a few years.

yeah, i think thats what we're going to do..gunna speak to present owner about servicing etc..as shes a childminder, i would assume she would have to get it regulary checked??

well..been to house today and guy who has it with his wife at minute is a gas man..instalaltions etc..so he said its in excellent condition and will give it a proper service free of charge before they move with paperwork to show it has been done..feel a lot better about it today