Back Boiler Replacement


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Back Boiler Replacement

Nationwide back boiler replacement

If you are looking to replace your back boiler, Boilerhut are back boiler specialists for removal and we work with some of the best and most efficient boiler brands in the UK.

We have also built a large network of combi, system and regular boiler installers who can replace back boilers and install gas, oil and LPG boilers to postcodes across the UK.

Replacement of back boilers is usually a straightforward job, but it requires a bit of time and a qualified engineer.

All of our engineers are Gas Safe Registered (for Gas and LPG boilers), and APHC Registered (for oil boilers).

What is a back boiler and how do back boilers work?

Back boilers, typically concealed behind a gas fire within a fireplace, were a common heating solution in homes from the 1960s until the early-2000s.

The compact size of back boilers made them a popular choice for many years. However, UK building regulations changed in 2005 to require that all new boilers be ‘condensing’ to improve energy efficiency. Since back boilers are non-condensing, their installation ceased.

Many homes still have back boilers, which are significantly less efficient than today’s condensing boilers. With efficiency levels around 50% or lower, half of the gas expenditure does not contribute to heating, leading to higher costs and environmental impact.

Upgrading to a modern boiler could reduce waste and save money: read more about replacing a back boiler >

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Save up to £590 PER YEAR on your heating bills.
Getting a quote takes less than 2 minutes. No obligation.
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Why replace my back boiler?

  • Back boilers are old and inefficient, and it is now illegal to install them.
  • Back boilers have very low efficiency, high running costs, and safety concerns.
  • A modern system can save energy, improve heating, and offer efficiency, control, and potential energy-saving incentives.
  • Has your back boiler stopped working or stopped firing up, become leaky or noticeably cold and non-responsive?

Is a combi boiler suitable for my house?

The compact size of combi boilers makes them an ideal choice for properties with limited space.

Combi boilers are not just a solution for flats and smaller houses though. Combi boilers come in a variety of outputs making them suitable for properties of a range of sizes.

For instance, modern combi boilers now exist which are equipped to deal with the hot water and heating requirements of homes with 4+ bedrooms, 2+ bathrooms and 20+ radiators. These are called storage combi boilers and house a thermal water storage tank within the unit itself.

Generally, the larger the house and the higher the hot water demands, the higher the kilowatt rating the boiler should be.

What are the advantages of a combi boiler?

Space-Saving Design
A key advantage of a combi boiler is its compact design. Since it doesn’t require separate external storage tanks, the entire heating and hot water system is consolidated within one unit. This saves considerable space in your home.

High Efficiency
Combi boilers are renowned for their efficiency. Many modern units come equipped with a flue gas heat recovery system. This system recycles the heat from exhaust gases to warm up water from the mains supply, allowing the boiler to use less fuel while maintaining an efficiency level above 90%. This, in turn, can lead to significant savings on heating bills.

Cost-Effective
Opting for a combi boiler, which integrates all functions into a single appliance, can be more cost-effective than purchasing and installing the multiple components required for traditional systems, such as tanks, cylinders, and pumps.

Instantaneous Hot Water
The ability to provide hot water on demand is another compelling reason to choose a combi boiler. Unlike system and regular boilers that need to heat and store water in advance, combi boilers heat water directly from the mains as it’s needed. This means you can enjoy an endless supply of hot water without the wait.

New combi boilers costs when replacing a back boiler

How much is a back boiler replacement with a combi boiler cost (a back boiler to combi conversion)? On average a new combi boiler installation when replacing a back boiler will cost £3,000 to £4,500 including VAT.

The cost to change back boiler to combi boiler will vary depending on the boiler that it is replacing and the new boiler location as well as any additional pipework, filters, removal of tanks, and how you want to control your system.

A list of the most common combi boiler installations for replacing a back boiler can be found below:

Type of installationAverage costInstallation time
Replacing a back boiler and hot water tank – decommissioning but leaving the back boiler in place£35002/3 days
Replacing a back boiler and hot water tank – decommissioning and removal of back boiler£4,5003/4 days
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Save up to £590 PER YEAR on your heating bills.
Getting a quote takes less than 2 minutes. No obligation.
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Our Combi Boiler Range

Viessmann-Vitodens-050-W

Viessmann Vitodens 0-50-W Gas Combi Boiler

  • Size: 29kW, 35kW
  • Efficiency: 97%
  • Warranty: 10 Years
Read Our In-Depth Review

Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Gas Combi Boiler

  • Size: 30kW to 50 kW
  • Efficiency: 94%
  • Warranty: 12 Years
Read Our In-Depth Review

Viessmann Vitodens 200-W Gas Combi Boiler

  • Size: 30kW, 35kW
  • Efficiency: 98%
  • Warranty: 10 Years
Read Our In-Depth Review

Ariston Clas ONE Gas Combi Boiler

  • Size: 24 kW, 30 kW, 38 kW
  • Efficiency: 90%
  • Warranty: 8 Years
Read Our In-Depth Review

Worcester Bosch Greenstar Heatslave II Oil Combi Boiler

  • Size: 18kW, 25kW or 32 kW
  • Efficiency: 94%
  • Warranty: 10 Years
Read Our In-Depth Review

Navien LCB700 Blue Flame Oil Boiler

  • Size: 21 kW, 28 kW, 36 kW
  • Efficiency: 93%
  • Warranty: 7 Years
Read Our In-Depth Review

Frequently asked questions

The cost of replacing a back boiler varies depending on the size and type of heating system you choose, as well as the complexity of the installation. However, you can expect to pay between £3,000 and £4,500 for a new heating system.

There are a number of different types of heating systems available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your needs. You should consider the size of your home, the number of people who live there, and your budget. You should consult with Boilerhut to get advice on the best type of heating system for your property. Get an online quote now >

Yes, we offer a warranty on all of our boiler replacements through the manufacturer. The warranty period varies depending on the type of boiler you choose. In order to keep the warranty valid you will need to service the boiler correctly and yearly.

We can offer 12 year warranties on some Viessmann boilers as we’re a Viessmann Premium Partner.

Yes, we can help you to finance your boiler replacement. Grab an online quote now and we’ll call you back to get all the final details – there’s no need for us to visit the property for a survey. Just ask about finance options or read more about them on our finance page >

Combi boilers are a space-saving boiler type that house all of the water heating and central heating components in one compact unit.

Heating directly from the mains, a combi boiler will provide you with an unlimited supply of instant hot water when you turn on a tap or shower. This water is delivered through your pipes at mains pressure where it arrives at your taps and showers.

Combi boilers only heat water when a hot tap or shower is turned on, this ensures maximum efficiency and means that it won’t cost you anything until this is used. To allow for quick delivery of hot water, the length of the pipe run from the boiler to the furthest outlet should be considered.

The central heating portion of a combi boiler is on a pressurised closed loop system, heated by the boiler as required.

If you are short on space or you are looking to better utilise areas of your home, a combi boiler will be ideal because there is no need for a cold water tank in the loft nor a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard.

Combi boilers deliver hot water through your taps or showers at mains pressure. This means that if your mains water pressure is good enough, you can enjoy hot showers without needing any extra pumps.

As no hot water is stored in an external cylinder and it is delivered as and when required, combi boilers are designed to maximise the amount of energy that is directly used to heat the water. This means there is no need to heat up and store more water than is required, reducing your carbon footprint and cutting down your energy bills.

Combi boilers are straightforward to install, economical to run and are typically installed in a kitchen, utility or airing cupboard. Flueing options should be considered when locating a new boiler (horizontal or vertical).

Yes. They’re illegal across the UK and Ireland as they’re so inefficient. Boilers installed from 2005 are required to be condensing and 90%+ efficient. Read more about combi boilers here >

Back boilers are far less complicated than modern boilers and have a life expectancy of 20 years or more. However, this means they’re highly inefficient and the older they get the higher the risks become. Older pipes and metal work can degrade over time. Flues and air intakes can become blocked causing dangerous gases to backup into the home.

If you have a back boiler, it may be working “well” but we would suggest at the very least getting it checked out to ensure your safety. However, the main reason to replace it will be that you will save money on your energy bills.

Back boilers are very costly to run, wasting 30% or more of the energy you pay for. New condensing boilers in the UK have to be a minimum of 90%+ efficient. We work with Viessmann as their boilers are super efficient and long-lasting. Their Vitodens 200-W is 98% efficient.

  • Low efficiency.
  • High running costs.
  • No instant hot water.
  • Potential for carbon monoxide build-up.
  • Required ventilation – meaning outside air cools the air the fire is heating.

No. Not compared with new condensing boilers. Some back boilers are estimated to be around 50% efficient which means 50% of the cost is wasted in heat up the chimney or flue.

No and no. Back boilers are non-condensing which means they were made illegal with the new 2005 buildings regulations. They’re very inefficient and waster a lot of gas heating the air in the chimney or flue which is lost to the outside world.

Most back boiler are gas powered. However, there are also solid fuel back boilers that run on coal or wood. These tend to be even more inefficient than gas back boilers.

A back boiler circulator is a pump that circulates hot water around your system.

If you know you have a back boiler, then yes, it is most likely behind your fireplace. This could be gas or solid fuel powered. Even if decommissioned a back boiler may have been left in place to save costs during a back boiler to combi conversion.

Get Your FREE Online Quote Today!
Save up to £590 PER YEAR on your heating bills.
Getting a quote takes less than 2 minutes. No obligation.
Save up to £590 PER YEAR!
Trustpilot

Frequently asked questions

The cost of replacing a back boiler varies depending on the size and type of heating system you choose, as well as the complexity of the installation. However, you can expect to pay between £3,000 and £4,500 for a new heating system.

There are a number of different types of heating systems available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your needs. You should consider the size of your home, the number of people who live there, and your budget. You should consult with Boilerhut to get advice on the best type of heating system for your property. Get an online quote now >

Yes, we offer a warranty on all of our boiler replacements through the manufacturer. The warranty period varies depending on the type of boiler you choose. In order to keep the warranty valid you will need to service the boiler correctly and yearly.

We can offer 12 year warranties on some Viessmann boilers as we’re a Viessmann Premium Partner.

Yes, we can help you to finance your boiler replacement. Grab an online quote now and we’ll call you back to get all the final details – there’s no need for us to visit the property for a survey. Just ask about finance options or read more about them on our finance page >

Combi boilers are a space-saving boiler type that house all of the water heating and central heating components in one compact unit.

Heating directly from the mains, a combi boiler will provide you with an unlimited supply of instant hot water when you turn on a tap or shower. This water is delivered through your pipes at mains pressure where it arrives at your taps and showers.

Combi boilers only heat water when a hot tap or shower is turned on, this ensures maximum efficiency and means that it won’t cost you anything until this is used. To allow for quick delivery of hot water, the length of the pipe run from the boiler to the furthest outlet should be considered.

The central heating portion of a combi boiler is on a pressurised closed loop system, heated by the boiler as required.

If you are short on space or you are looking to better utilise areas of your home, a combi boiler will be ideal because there is no need for a cold water tank in the loft nor a hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard.

Combi boilers deliver hot water through your taps or showers at mains pressure. This means that if your mains water pressure is good enough, you can enjoy hot showers without needing any extra pumps.

As no hot water is stored in an external cylinder and it is delivered as and when required, combi boilers are designed to maximise the amount of energy that is directly used to heat the water. This means there is no need to heat up and store more water than is required, reducing your carbon footprint and cutting down your energy bills.

Combi boilers are straightforward to install, economical to run and are typically installed in a kitchen, utility or airing cupboard. Flueing options should be considered when locating a new boiler (horizontal or vertical).

Yes. They’re illegal across the UK and Ireland as they’re so inefficient. Boilers installed from 2005 are required to be condensing and 90%+ efficient. Read more about combi boilers here >

Back boilers are far less complicated than modern boilers and have a life expectancy of 20 years or more. However, this means they’re highly inefficient and the older they get the higher the risks become. Older pipes and metal work can degrade over time. Flues and air intakes can become blocked causing dangerous gases to backup into the home.

If you have a back boiler, it may be working “well” but we would suggest at the very least getting it checked out to ensure your safety. However, the main reason to replace it will be that you will save money on your energy bills.

Back boilers are very costly to run, wasting 30% or more of the energy you pay for. New condensing boilers in the UK have to be a minimum of 90%+ efficient. We work with Viessmann as their boilers are super efficient and long-lasting. Their Vitodens 200-W is 98% efficient.

  • Low efficiency.
  • High running costs.
  • No instant hot water.
  • Potential for carbon monoxide build-up.
  • Required ventilation – meaning outside air cools the air the fire is heating.

No. Not compared with new condensing boilers. Some back boilers are estimated to be around 50% efficient which means 50% of the cost is wasted in heat up the chimney or flue.

No and no. Back boilers are non-condensing which means they were made illegal with the new 2005 buildings regulations. They’re very inefficient and waster a lot of gas heating the air in the chimney or flue which is lost to the outside world.

Most back boiler are gas powered. However, there are also solid fuel back boilers that run on coal or wood. These tend to be even more inefficient than gas back boilers.

A back boiler circulator is a pump that circulates hot water around your system.

If you know you have a back boiler, then yes, it is most likely behind your fireplace. This could be gas or solid fuel powered. Even if decommissioned a back boiler may have been left in place to save costs during a back boiler to combi conversion.

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