Bullet Proof SRi
Member
Registered: 11th Jul 05
Location: UK - Clacton on sea - Essex
User status: Offline
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Well after buying my first home and slowly moving forward with renovations I cant decide if to keep the old back boiler or to replace with a combi.
My sisters house has a back boiler that runs hassle free and her energy bills are not insane as some people say back boilers are vary inefficient.
My question is do I keep the current back boiler or replace will I be making a huge saving long term or will servicing or possible combi problems add a lot of cost
2 bedroom house, running 5 rads just in case that helps at all
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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Parts for the old back boilers are becoming obsolete, even the newest ones will be getting on for 15+ years old now. They are inefficient, and only get worse without regular servicing, so factor in about £50 - £90 a year for a service. I generally say if its working then by all means leave it alone.
However, should you choose to leave it in then replacing it at a later date will be a large and messy job, I don't know what state the house is in at the moment.
The combi is more eco friendly no doubt about it, You only pay for the hot water that comes out the tap rather than heating the full hot water tanks worth, only to then use half of it.
Modern combis don't need servicing, an inspection doesn't do them any harm, I just do a visual and put the flue gas analyser in the see if its burning correctly, so serviving isn't as expensive. Most makers offer a 5 year warranty too.
If its only 5 rads too a full new heating shouldn't be that expensive.
The back boiler will need attention one day, its just whether you want to spend the money now or later
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