Back boiler to condenser

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

We need to update our boiler but I'm just wondering what happens to the bit behind the fake fire downstairs and also what happens to the fire?

you will have the old pipes to the back boiler cut off and preferably removed to avoid the risk of future leaks.

If you wanted to keep the old fire you could do, but it will be very old by now and less efficient than a modern one. You can have an ornamental gas fire fitted if you like, subject to the condition of the chimney.

Be aware that your old pipes and radiators are likely to be badly clogged with sediment and corrosion so are almost certain to need powerflushing before the new boiler is fitted, which will take half a day to a day, and preferably have a system filter like the Sentinel or Fernox fitted too, to trap the future circulating particles.

If anyone offers you a quote without a powerflush, show him the door.

Great thanks for the tip!
Ideally we would like a real fire there but I think that's too expensive for now.
What kind of fake fire could we get to go there or could we even just have a hole and fill it decoratively with logs until we can afford to get the real fire done?

How much would putting a real fire in actually cost?

dunno

a local chimney sweep will be a good source of informnatrion, ask him to inspect the fireback and chimney and say what needs doing. He will know local builders and fire installers, or may do it himself.

Thanks
We havnt actually used the gas fire that's here once so I'd rather not replace it if we didn't need to. Not too bothered about the efficiency of it. Aesthetically it looks ok. Not great but then I'm not convinced any fake fire does tbh!

put a bowl of twigs and pebbles in the fireplace.

Blocking it up (apart from a letterbox-sized ventilation hole to prevent damp) will cut draughts.