Anyone replaced an Oil boiler recently ?

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Mine looks like it's just gone to boiler heaven ... just need an idea of how big a hole in my pocket this is going to make ?? Anyone had a new one fitted recently ??? Thanks in advance for any info !

Depends on what size boiler you have (kw). Whether it's a regular, system or combination oil fired boiler. A good installer would also need to comply with part L building regs, so you will need to check if you have Thermostats on your bedroom radiators an a separate room thermostat.

Also another consideration is the flue. standard flues that go out through the external wall are a lot cheaper then vertical flues that go up through a roof or chimney.

There are makes I can recommend, and ones I would say to stick clear of I.e you get what you pay for!

Whatever you do, find an installer via the Manufacturer.. then the installer will be accredited and will be able to give you maximum guarantee on the boiler.

I gather it's about £2k for standard size - mine is likely to die soon so watching with interest. How long has yours lasted?

2k will buy you a gas boiler supplied and installed- oil boilers are more expensive. Looking at closer £3.5 for a good quality regular internal, with standard flue, new fire valve and reusing all controls.

Thank you all so much for all the info ! Ouch !! Not great just after Christmas !!

Asking DH if he can see what size it is ?? The flue goes through the roof ( it's in a part of the house with single storey flat roof ) we do have the rad valve thermostats in each of the rooms .... it's quite a big old place - so knowing my luck it will be more ! This one is a Camry II can't see any indication of size ... was 'old ' when we bought the place 13 years ago !

I'd be very grateful for some suggestions of good makes, thank you

A vertical flue will notch the price up unfortunately. Have you space outside for an External Oil Boiler? As that will probably (depending on pipe alterations) be cheaper than an internal with a vertical flue, extensions etc

Worcester or Grant are the best oil boilers imo. Worcester have just won Which? Best oil boiler for 2016. 7yr manufacturers guarantee on Worcester oil when installed by an accredited installer. We have a Worcester danesmoor system 25/32 which I expect from what you've said is the size you would need. They do a regular version as well, which if your pipe work is old would be the best option.With System boilers the heating system is pressurised so oldish joints may not hold up, which would cost more money, which you don't want, although you would loose the F&E tank in the loft and the possibility of loosing heat up the open vent.

Always get 3 quotes, anymore and you will confuse your self.

By getting an accredited installer you also have the assurity that they're OFTEC registered (so workmanship warranted for 6yrs against non-compliance, even if the company no longer trading) and installation registered with Building Control, they have trained on that particular manufacturers boilers and can give the maximum guarantee on the boiler.

Oh and finally, I know Worcester have their own 'in guarantee' engineers who carry all the parts, but I'm afraid I don't know the current position on Grant. They used to rely on local engineers attending, diagnosing and then ordering the part. Not sure though so please check. My mum has a Grant external, great boiler, about 5yrs old now and never gone wrong.

That's brilliant info and tips - thank you so much ! Might look at an outside one if we can - but it's a bit close to the boundary wall ?! So might block up that rear passageway ?! Not that use that much if at all !!!
Thanks again !!

We paid £3200 for am external oil boiler a couple of months ago. It just sits on the outside wall and doesn't look too bad! He said it would have been a few hundred cheaper for an internal one where we have the previous but there wasn't much in it. Not sure of size etc but it's a 3 bed terrace. I hate paying for things like that but it has made a big difference to the quality of our heating and hot water.

You're very welcome 😄 I'm in the trade, so if you have any other questions, fire away 👍

Thanks Mutiny too.

Whatdoiknow - you aren't in Dorset are you ?! ( that would be too good to be true !!)

No, sorry we're not OnePlan. Happy to help on here though.

Boilers are a considered expense, so if I can help someone avoid making expensive (imo) mistakes then my work is done 😄 I regularly advise people who phone us, who are not in our area, on what makes to avoid and how to go about getting the best system for them, using qualified engineers (very important) and how to find qualified engineers in their area.
There's no benefit to me, other than the feel good feeling that I've helped someone - oh and hopefully karma points 👍

I know that feeling ! I help peeps on here and Houzz for free too when I can !

Thank you ! Have a chap coming out tomorrow who knows the boiler - he is the guy who services it for us ... fingers crossed !! First the hot water went - then a few days later the heating stopped too - the tank's full but it makes the sound of firing up and then done red light comes on ...something just isn't working ... there was talk of a valve to be fixed - When I initially booked him for the hot water went ... I'm bracing myself for a big bill !!!

Oh dear ! Three things wrong ... it was out of pressure, which caused a valve to melt and the pump is broken.. it starts but there's no delay ? But he thinks he can fix it - but not until the end of the month ! So I have to make do with just the emersion heater until then and hope the snow doesn't come ! As I only have a bottled gas heater in lounge and a plug in oil radiator for kitchen !
Brrrrrr !!!

End of the month?!? Can he not get the parts?

Most parts take a couple of days to come in, if they're not on the shelf. Unless your boiler is a Firebird or Warmflow - they can take a couple of weeks.

Sorry, but end of the month is not acceptable imo (if the parts are available) but great news it's repairable.

He had the parts with him ! But couldn't get something off - he had a helper with him too but neither of them could - so I'm sat here in a coat !!! I think I should maybe call someone else ! As I think you are right , it's a bit bonkers to keep us like this !

Thanks Miaow - I have been bracing myself for a similar figure !

Sorry, but imo that's terrible service! He had the parts but is still leaving you until the end of the month?!?

Find someone else. Ask a neighbour for a recommendation on who they use or go on the OFTEC website for a registered engineer in your area.

End of the month is two weeks away! With no heating and he's happy to leave you like that? Disgusting! (Sorry, makes my blood boil)

Thought I had someone else lined up - he's just bailed out too ! Said the system needs to be drained and he's not going to do that ! He's told me to get a plumber ?! ( from me texting him photos )
I'm just bloody cold and what the darn thing fixed or a new one put in !! Can't find anyone to do it !!! Slightly disappointing that no one wants the job !

We were going to replace ours, got quotes of up to £5k. However we decided in the end to get a wood pellet boiler. Its ended up costing nearly £7k (needed a new tank), but we will get all the money back from the government.

We also looked at air source and ground heat pumps which you get repayments for.

I've looked into the pellet boiler - but I think I'm going to struggle to store pellet supplies near by, which is a shame as the subsidies are good ! Our outbuildings are either full of garden things or open to the elements in part so not suitable !

Oh poor you - my oil boiler died 5 years ago just as it started snowing.

I replaced with electric - cost about £2000 and more expensive to run but I was looking at awful costs and delays to replace the oil boiler. Due to chnages in building regs I'd have had to change the position of it, that needed both Listed Building permission and the only place I could put it meant my oil tank needed moving and so on and so forth.

I was freezing, couldn't wait months for permission and worked out the electric boiler was so much cheaper to fit, it would take over 10 years for a new oil boiler to be value for money with the additional costs, even though my bills went up. Nowhere to put pellets so that was out.

Love the electric boiler now - very quiet, no servicing, no running out of oil, got rid of ugly tank. Bills actually didn't go through the roof either. Has been really cost effective.

Very happy I opted for it though sometimes wonder if I should have looked more at air-source heat pumps. But there was snow on the ground and my only heating was an open fire so I needed something fast!

It is much cheaper to buy the pellets on a pallet, so yes you do need somewhere dry (and nearby!) to store them. We cleared out a corner of our nearest outbuilding, theyre quite robust bags so we stack them up quite high.

We were initially going to go with air source, but there wasnt anywhere on the house to put the equipment, without it looking awful. And it costs alot to have it plumbed in from the outbuildings.

I didn't even realise you could get a heating boiler that's electric ?!? Another one to look into - as we have a long long long doubts facing roof so could in theory maybe get solar panels ?! And it's a roof that's not overlooked by the garden or the house front - so doesn't matter that it's new tech on a really really old Cottage !! Thank you ! Wal !

I don't think I'd manage the 15kg bags of pellets either !! My kettle bells are only 5kg !! I'm a whimp !!! Lol !! But thanks for the info Sunnie !

Quick update ... this evening the radiators are hot !! Thanks to a friends partner !! The boiler chap who came out originally still hasn't come back !