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Original poster

What is a Back Boiler?

14 replies

LaurieFairyCake · 27/05/2013 13:46

I've never had one. The estate agent didn't know anything (think they were fudging).

I think you have to have the gas fire (very old) on to fire the boiler to heat the radiators

The estate agent said not.

Either way a combi boiler on a wall would be more useful, yes?

OP posts:

comelywenchlywoo · 27/05/2013 13:55

I thought a back boiler was used with an open fire or log-burner. It goes in the wall above the fire and heats the water tank. You need the fire on to get hot water/heating.

A combi-boiler is on demand and instant, can be set to go on when you're not there. However, my Auntie had a back boiler and thought it was the best heating she'd ever had.

HTH

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 27/05/2013 14:00

Nope. I currently have a stove that pumps hot water round the radiators.

This back boiler is behind a gas fire.

OP posts:

Geeklover · 27/05/2013 14:01

My old house had a back boiler.
When it was (many moons ago) converted to gas from the original coal fire the back boiler remained.
You didn't need the gas fire on the way you needed the coal fire on to heat the water anymore but it wasn't a combi boiler which supplies instant heating and hot water.
It just worked like every other central heating that has a water tank. Ie I needed to put the hot water on to get a bath and wait for the tank to heat up.

ThingummyBob · 27/05/2013 14:04

I didn't think people used back boilers anymore

I've got an old copper one walled in (easier than removing) behind what was once an open fire. I thought it was for heating hot water only and heating was totally separate.

Could be wrong though.

Reastie · 27/05/2013 14:27

I had a back boiler in my old house. The boiler was located in the fireplace behind the gas fire. You didn't need the gas fire on to work the boiler at all, we rarely ever used the gas fire. It's just the boiler is hidden behind the gas fireplace as far as I know. Worked as well as any other boiler I've known.

SmellsLikeWeenSpirits · 27/05/2013 14:29

They are a boiler in the chimney fronted by a gas fire. You don't need the gas fire on for heat \ hot water

They're old and inefficient but very very reliable. We've been waiting for six years for ours to go wrong so we can justify replacing it. I think we might be waiting another 66 years

Ours allows us to have heating and hot water on timed. Really the only draw back is not being able to get rid of the ugly gas fire which we never ever use

Original poster

LaurieFairyCake · 27/05/2013 14:35

? If you don't need the gas fire to fire the boiler why can't you get rid of the fire?

Apologies if this is a fuckwitted question

OP posts:

SmellsLikeWeenSpirits · 27/05/2013 16:15

It's an integral part of the mechanism [technical]

You just can't. They're connected. It's a bit like the fire is the outside face of the boiler.

SmellsLikeWeenSpirits · 27/05/2013 16:17

And the gas man recoiled In horror when I suggested a radiator cover to disguise it

I'm still not totally convinced why not, as it would have that trellis stuff on the front and plenty of ventilation but hey ho he's the expert

PolterGoose · 29/05/2013 08:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fussychica · 29/05/2013 14:34

We've got one (70s property but noughties boiler). We intended to rip it out when we moved in but as others have said they are very reliable. Ours also seems very efficient, despite what is said. I'm not keen on the fire but we are sticking with it as we are never cold and our water supply heats in minutes.

MrsTaraPlumbing · 30/05/2013 20:38

Hi.

It is an ordinary boiler behind your fire and they used to be really popular. The two work independently.
There are long distant historical reasons why boilers were put here.

These days the only Back boiler available to buy is Baxi Bermuda, which is a condensing boiler: www.baxi.co.uk/Baxi-Bermuda-Back-Boiler/

If you choose to replace it you could have the Baxi Bermuda.
Replacing with a different type of boiler can be a big and expensive job - you need to get quotes.

A combi may or might not be best. Combis are ideal for small one person/couple homes where there is limited space and small demand for water.
Families might like a combi ( I am happy with a combi) but it is not always the best solution and has many disadvantages.

Mum2Fergus · 30/05/2013 21:01

Ive a back boiler in the house we bought in Feb. Have spoken to many folk, professionals and users and wouldnt be thinking of changing it anytime soon. Sure its old and clunky but they are apparently very reliable. And while not a nice cosy coal fire, the gas one saw us well through all the bad weather...heats room up in no time

wonkylegs · 31/05/2013 10:26

In my first house I replaced an old back boiler (at the end of it's life) with a new combi boiler (in the position of the old hot water cylinder). It wasn't that expensive or that difficult. I got a local guy who was a quarter of the price that British gas quoted.
I only replaced it at that point as it developed a leak and couldn't be fixed however I'd wanted to get rid of it for years (horribly noisy & ugly) but couldn't afford to.
It was the best improvement I made to the house. If you do change to a combi just make sure it's sized correctly for the house. At that time I lived in my house with four friends and it was fine for a household of 5 adults.
If you buy a reliable make of combi there is no reason why if properly serviced it shouldn't last well. Which? have a good guide to boilers & central heating choices.

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