Back boilers, once very popular in the UK, haven’t been Should Replace Your Back installed since 2005. If that is what you still have, then perhaps an upgrade may be in order. The modern condensing boilers are much more efficient, safer, and cheap to run, thereby making them the preferred replacement options for many house owners.
Be it to reduce growing energy bills, increase safety within your home, or simply upgrade from obsolete technology, replacing your back boiler is a wise decision. Luckily, help is available: With options such as the free back boiler replacement grant under the ECO4 scheme, you could switch at minimal to no cost, ensuring a warmer and more efficient home for many years.
What are Back Boilers?
Back boilers were popular heating systems in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. They are installed behind a fireplace; the heat generated in heating the water is used both for central heating and domestic hot water use. The majority of the system is out of sight; the boiler itself sits behind the fire, while the associated feed tank and hot water cylinder are normally housed elsewhere in the house, often in the loft or a cupboard.
Most back boilers only achieve about 70% efficiency, while modern condensing boilers achieve about 92-94%. Because of this, under the UK Building Regulations that stated all new boilers installed needed to be at least 86% efficient, it became illegal in 2005 to install a new back boiler. If your house still has a back boiler fitted, then now may well be the time to think about replacing it.
How Does a Back Boiler Work?
Back boilers make use of the heat from the open fires or gas fires to warm the water. Here’s their mode of operation.
- Heat Generation: The fire produces hot gases, which pass through the heat exchanger in the back boiler.
- Water Heating: Cold water from a tank (usually in the loft) flows into the heat exchanger, where it’s heated.
- Water Storage: The heated water is sent to a hot water cylinder for storage. It is often in an airing cupboard. This water is then used for taps, showers, and radiators.
- Central Heating: If plumbed into the radiators, an electric pump circulates the hot water in the system. Gravity circulates the water in some installations, though these are less common.
Why You Should Replace Your Back Boiler in UK Homes
If your home still uses a back boiler, there really are a lot of good reasons why replacing it could be truly advantageous. For starters, modern heating systems are far more efficient, much safer, and can save you quite a bit of money over time. Here are some key reasons why you should replace your back boiler:
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Poor Energy Efficiency
Back boilers are very inadequate and hardly convert 70% of the energy they use into heat, while modern condensing ones are far more efficient, with energy ratings of 92-94%. This means less waste, lower energy bills, and reduced carbon footprint.
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High Running Costs
Back boilers waste around 30p of every £1 you spend on energy, costing you up to a huge £630 per year just to heat your home. That’s a lot of money wasted, especially when a new boiler could save you that amount with greater efficiency.
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It’s Illegal to Install Back Boilers
It has been illegal since 2005 to install a back boiler in the UK because they do not meet the minimum energy efficiency requirements laid out by the government. Keeping an old back boiler not only risks inefficiency but also possibly fails to meet modern standards for personal safety and building codes.
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Safety Risks
Also, back boilers are more prone to safety issues, even explosions in extreme cases. This is because modern condensing boilers boast a lot of improved features, which make them much safer to use.
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Costly Repairs
This means that repairs can be expensive, and they are often hard to come by for a back boiler. Many of the companies no longer make replacement parts, which makes getting a repair job done much more costly than you may have anticipated.
What To Do With Your Old Back Boiler in the UK?
If your back boiler is outdated or broken, then it’s high time to call a Gas Safe registered engineer. He will safely remove your old system and help you choose the best substitute that suits your house or apartment. Modern upgrades offer a variety of advantageous features, like saving energy and providing comforts with continuous hot water throughout the living space.
What Is a Safer Replacement for a Back Boiler?
If you are concerned with safety and efficiency, the following modern boiler types replace them better:
Combi Boiler
- Suitable for small and medium-sized homes with one bathroom.
- Compact, saving space as it does not require a water tank beside it.
- Provides heating and mains hot water instantly.
System Boiler
- Suited for large-sized homes with at least two bathrooms.
- Works in correspondence with the hot water storage tank to provide a constant supply of hot water.
- It draws water directly from the mains, therefore giving better pressure, unlike the conventional systems.
Regular Boiler
- Also known as a traditional or conventional boiler.
- Like the back boiler system, this also requires a feed tank and a hot water storage tank.
- Works best for homes with existing pipework designed for traditional systems.
Low Carbon Heating System
- Other options may be heat pumps or solar water heating.
- While the upfront cost for these systems is higher, there are a lot of long-term savings and environmental benefits.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Back Boiler?
Replacing a back boiler can cost upwards of £3,000 or more, mainly dependent on the new system being installed and the complexity of the job. This takes into consideration the removal of the old back boiler, installation of the new one, and probably some other additional costs in the overall total.
If you want it decommissioned rather than entirely taken out, you can save about £1,000. Decommissioning simply means disconnecting the boiler from its power source; this does not include the cost of removal and working with construction.
You Can Get a Back Boiler Replacement Grant for No Cost
The good news? You might not have to pay the full replacement cost of your back boiler. Under the ECO4 scheme, you may be eligible for a Free Back Boiler Replacement Grant, which will contribute to the cost of upgrading to a modern boiler at no additional charge.
Under this government scheme, if your family has a low income, it will easily entitle you to a free upgrade to modern energy-efficient boilers, which will save money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The Bottom Line
Replacing a back boiler may sound daunting, but its benefits are well worth considering. Not only will a new efficient heating system save you money and keep you safe, but it also helps your house become carbon neutral.
Moreover, with the ECO4 grant, you will not have to pay a penny. If you’re considering upgrading, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer now to explore your options.
For the bigger picture, read our home maintenance and repair guide.
