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Original poster

Boiler outside anyone?

30 replies

RubbishMantra · 03/09/2017 13:07

In early stages of planning a new kitchen. The space is tiny and awkward, so it's been suggested the boiler go on the outside wall, actually outside, to free up space. I had a look, an lo and behind, there are boilers designed ( one by Worcester) precisely for this purpose. Does anyone live with one, and what's it like?

OP posts:
johnd2 · 04/09/2017 00:00

Careful, sometimes the boiler can go into frost prevention mode when it's cold out and start running the heating regardless of whether it's cold inside. You can end up in a sauna wasting all your gas.
Make sure the boiler room isn't exposed to the cold.

Carolinesbeanies · 04/09/2017 00:24

I wouldnt go outside OP, have you looked at all other options? Ours is in the loft. (We do have a fixed loft ladder and we cheaply boarded out the area from hatch to boiler so access not too difficult. Its also on a wireless remote thermostat). But garage? Utility? Maybe even spare bedroom?
Also, how big a boiler do you need? Number of rads etc. You can get really quite small ones that do a decent job, that could be sited quite high up....or low down. Are you changing to a combi and do you have an old hot water tank cupboard? You just need an external wall to site it on.

But in short, it could go anywhere so maybe look at other rooms first.

Original poster
RubbishMantra · 04/09/2017 00:40

Thanks for the responses. I must admit, my immediate reaction was one of suspicion. Just thought I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand. Not a good idea then? It will go in the kitchen, was just a way of fitting in an extra cupboard or two. Loft a no-go, the hatch is above my v. heavy bed. I'll be having another combi boiler.

OP posts:
5rivers7hills · 04/09/2017 08:55

Don't put it in a spare bedroom! Hugely off putting to future buyers who might actually want to use all bedrooms.

Original poster
RubbishMantra · 04/09/2017 10:42

No, I'm not struck on the idea of bedroom boiler. Does anyone have any experience of these outdoor boilers, or know anyone who does?

OP posts:
TheElementsSong · 04/09/2017 10:48

There was one attached to the outside of my house in a sort of tiny brick outhouse, but it was defunct. The previous owners had installed one in a bedroom instead Shock.

So we had to pay someone (and a skip) to safely remove it and its brick outhouse. Definitely off-putting to us as buyers.

Mind you, so is the boiler in the bedroom. But we can't afford to move it Sad.

Etymology23 · 04/09/2017 10:50

I've got friends with an outside boiler (oil) and it works fine for them. Saves space in the house, heavily insulated and works perfectly.

DesdemonasHandkerchief · 04/09/2017 11:03

We nearly bought a house with one inside and one outside boiler, both looked fairly new. The survey suggested we change the single brick uninsulated structure that housed the outside boiler to a double brick insulated structure to protect against frost, but didn't say that if it was well protected having it on an outside wall would be an issue.

orecchietti · 04/09/2017 11:07

Our boiler is in the main bathroom, in a fairly tidy casing, would that be an option?

DontCallMeBaby · 04/09/2017 11:09

Given Worcester is a good make, and they have specialist ones for the purpose, I'd go for it myself. My boiler is in the garage, which is integral but without a room above, so it gets very cold, and the boiler copes just fine.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 04/09/2017 11:12

My parents have an outdoor boiler. It's in a sort of insulated shed. Never had any problems with it.

Spudlet · 04/09/2017 11:13

We have one. We haven't had it through a winter yet but it should cope fine, I think. It's saved lots of space and it's well wrapped up in insulation.

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 04/09/2017 11:15

Yep, we have one, best thing we spent money on! Ours was in the kitchen too, new build house so the boiler wasn't that old. We are oil heating, and got fed up of the smell of kerosene in the house on a windy day (something to do with the wind forcing air back down the flue) and also the mess indoors when it was serviced. Garage not a suitable place to out it so out it went.
Never had an issue with it frost wise.....we live in rural NE scotland so -10 and below is not unusual. Easy servicing, no smell, large stainless steel flue to keep gases away from windows etc. Ours is a Grant model.

Original poster
RubbishMantra · 04/09/2017 12:55

What type of boiler do you have Spudlet? Mine will be a gas combi.

OP posts:
Spudlet · 04/09/2017 12:59

We have an oil conventional one - we were specifically warned off combi boilers for oil. I think it's a Grant?

Spudlet · 04/09/2017 13:02

Sorry to be so brief, toddler has woken up from his nap in a rage! It may be a Worcester? I'd have to check.

It's been good so far anyway, we have had to turn it down because it was heating the water up so much we were being parboiled...

Original poster
RubbishMantra · 04/09/2017 13:14

Hmm, getting quite excited now, if the boiler's outside, will be able to move location of sink., freeing up space. How did your outside boiler compare cost-wise to an indoor one? Are they loads more expensive Spudlet? And sorry if this is a silly question, but presumably oil boilers are connected to the electricity too?

OP posts:
Spudlet · 04/09/2017 13:17

They are still connected to the electricity. Cost wise we didn't get any quotes for an indoor one because we really wanted the extra space, I think it cost in the region of £4K? I'm pretty sure oil boilers are a bit more expensive though? It wasn't too bad to fit it though as essentially ours is just on the other side of the wall to where the internal one sat.

paradoxicalInterruption · 04/09/2017 13:18

Friends of mine are doing this - seems a good option.

Original poster
RubbishMantra · 04/09/2017 14:08

It's cheering to hear these succesful stories! I think you're right, Spudlet , about oil boilers being pricier. I was given a rough estimate of £2000 a year ago.

What made your friends decide paradoxical? To free up space? I think I'll give the kitchen planner a call!

OP posts:
Pelekan · 20/12/2020 11:38

Sorry to intrude on this thread (especially as I'm a "bloke" !)

We have a Vaillant Ecotech on the outside wall with an insulated wooden enclosure. On the plus side, it's easy to access, maintain, quieter, and being pragmatic - safer. But, even being insulated, it's still a very cool enclosure and prone to excessive condensation. In time, this has caused issues with electrics, rusting, and all of the boiler's internal insulation pealing off. I'm a DIY'er, so I've managed to keep it going with frequent fixes (avoiding anything to do with gas as this is Corgi domain). But its hade new diverter valves, a cleaned matrix, PRV and occassional drying out of sodden bits. It's nearly 10 years old now so the next moved will be to build a double skin brick wall arounts the current arrangement and then chop out the old wooden part. From here, I'll go for a new boiler but also a modest mini heater just to keep it snug in there.

Seeingadistance · 20/12/2020 13:56

In a previous house, the boiler was outside, in its own little brick-built house.

Worked fine.

Sunflowergirl1 · 20/12/2020 16:37

Our house has has same boiler in the garage for 20 years. No issues. A replacement going in shortly which is a Vaillant

Chocolate1984 · 20/12/2020 17:12

Our boiler has been outside for 9 years with no issues. It is a Worcester but I don’t think it’s a special outdoor one or anything? It’s in an outhouse but it’s a single brick building with a normal wooden door. It’s basically protects the boiler from the wind and rain but not the cold. We moved it to free up space in the kitchen.

bilbodog · 20/12/2020 17:45

In our last house the boiler was in a cupboard in the corner of the sitting room - was never a problem.