Are Back Boilers Illegal?
Old Back Boilers Are Not Illegal.
Old back boilers with gas fires as central heating systems are not illegal too. Back boilers are still legal to use provided they have been services and maintained regularly by a qualified Gas Safe Engineer.
If your property has a back boiler that’s either given up or you simply want a more modern heating system, most professionals will advise you to upgrade to a combi boiler.
You could even not have to pay for this too!
You can replace it with a new back boiler but they are considered old fashioned now and not as efficient as new combi boilers.
You cannot install an old second hand backboiler since 2005 due to high carbon emissions and government safety regulations.
Back Boilers Vs. Combi Boilers
Let’s take a look at a few facts about combi and back boilers to help you make your choice.
Baxi Bermuda Back boilers are still present in many UK homes, particularly with those homes built between the ‘60s and ‘80s.
A back boiler is a boiler that is built in behind a gas fire or solid fuel fire that is used to heat the home much like a central heating system.
These older systems usually require a lot of maintenance and are not particularly efficient. Average efficiency is around 60 -70% .
Back Boilers are generally very reliable with not many moving parts to go wrong , you will eventually need to replace it.
Energy Efficiency
In the back boilers versus combi boilers debate, combi boilers win hands down.
- A Combi boiler will be up to 90 -100% efficient
- A back Boiler will be 70-80% efficient
Replacing a back boiler with a combi boilers will pay for itself in a few years through reduced energy costs.
Installation – A new boiler installation may be the best choice if you’re facing a series of costly emergency repairs as the back boiler unit approaches its end of life.
It is not cost effective to keep throwing money at an old boiler and this money would be better served paying for a new boiler.
Pressure Problems
You may not be able to use modern dishwashers or washing machines with high water pressure that comes from traditional back boilers.
Combi boilers are a good choice for replacing back boilers since they require less space and are easy to install.
However, they will not be able to heat massive amounts of water as a back boiler could.
Space
Combination boilers combine the central heating boiler with a hot water heater in a single compact unit, which means you do not need separate hot and cold-water tanks in your loft to supply the back boiler.
For this reason Combi boilers are a good choice for small homes or flats where space is very limited.
Switching to a combi boiler could free up space in your water cupboard or current utility room.
Hot Water Supply versus Demand
The greatest drawback of combi boilers is their ability to provide hot water for simultaneous use.
Traditional boilers fire up twice a day, heating up the water whether you need it or not.
While this has the disadvantage of not being energy efficient, it also means that you have a reserve of hot water that can be delivered to multiple taps in the home.
However, combi boilers may not be able to meet your needs if you have two people taking hot showers at the same time.
A system boiler may be a better choice in that case. You should also know that having a tank is not always a benefit when it comes to the water supply. Having a tank also means that your hot water can run out.
Combi Boilers Hot Water
However, combi boilers can meet modest, intermittent demand for hot water.
On the other hand, a combi boiler can do a better job of meeting demand if you’re constantly using some hot water through the day for showers, laundry, and dishes, but do each separately.
As a traditional boiler only fires up twice a day, you’ll have to wait for hot water if you use up the current supply. Not only that, but there’s also the possibility to install more than one combi boiler to deal with the simultaneous use issue.
If you are looking to replace a back boiler, combi boilers are probably the best choice. However, you need to take a variety of factors into account in order to select the best boiler for your household’s needs.
How To Get A Free Back Boiler Removal Grant 2022
A Complete guide for The Warm Front Free Back Boiler Scheme 2022
This article takes an in-depth look at how the government’s free boiler scheme works for 2022
We will explain everything you need to know about:
- Who Is funding This Scheme
- Why this free grant is available ,
- How you qualify for a free boiler grant
- How you apply to have a free replacement boiler installed.
Who Funds The Free Back Boiler Removal Grant?
Free Boilers are funded as part of the Government Affordable Warmth Obligation to promote energy efficiency in the UK
This is a fantastic scheme set up by the UK’s ‘Big Six’ energy companies to upgrade heating and home insulation
£6bn has been allocated for this new energy efficiency scheme and will run until the end of ECO 4 in 2026.
See the Government Website for more details
How many Radiators can a 30kW boiler run?
For combi boilers, sizes from 28 to 32kW can keep between 10 and 15 radiators nice and toasty.
On the other hand, 30kW heat only and system boilers can heat 15 to 20 radiators, making them the ideal choice for running larger properties.
Which is best Baxi or Worcester?
Worcester Bosch are more expensive, but they are generally more energy efficient so they slightly tip the balance in their favour.
Baxi has a more affordable price tag but, because their energy efficiency isn’t quite as high, they come in close second.
How Much Does A New Back Boiler Cost?
The average cost of replacing a gas boiler on a like for like basis is usually around £2300 and anywhere up to £3000 depending on who you choose as your installer assuming no extras are needed.
It is worth your while exploring the possibility of you being eligible for a subsidised boiler from the government.
Any contributions you may have to pay will be small so our Free Boiler Grant offer is a no brainer.
How Does The Government Scheme For Free Boilers Work?
As a boiler is responsible for the majority of a home’s heating bill, it makes sense to have a boiler as efficient as possible fitted.
Most people cannot afford to pay up to £2300 for a new boiler to be fitted ( average cost ) so a big ticket item like this would not be changed unless it was completely broken.
Many homes have boilers over 15 years old limping on and wasting lots of gas which is why the government have allocated funding for assisting with the cost.
Under the free boiler scheme low-income households in receipt of a qualify benefit are entitled to a Free upgrade or at the very least, it will be heavily subsidised of their old boiler to an A Rated energy-efficient boiler.
Over 90% of free boiler applications receive 80% off the cost!
Why Apply For A Free Boiler?
Old boilers lose around 40% of the heat they produce. This means that for every £1 of heating you use, 40p is wasted and you do not feel any benefit for your money.
A new A-rated energy efficiency boiler will utilise around 90% of the heat they generate so you can reduce your bills by up to £300 a year.
Does The Back Boiler Grant Need To Be Paid Back ?
Householders that are eligible for free boiler grants have no obligation to pay back any instalments even if you move home.
Will You Get 100% Grant?
UPDATE – JULY 2022 – ALL BOILERS WILL BE FREE !
Because of funding restrictions in relation to the Affordable Warmth Scheme, some households were asked in the past to contribute towards the cost of installing a new gas boiler.
The amount of funding granted depended on the property type of your home. The larger the property, the larger the grant.
This is now abolished and all boilers are 100% free!
Do You Qualify for a Free Boiler?
Applicants for the free boiler replacement scheme must satisfy the following criteria:
- The existing boiler must be more than 7 years old with a fault found.
- Own your home or live with the home owner.
- Receive government benefits
When is the Free Boiler Scheme Due To End?
The current ECO free boiler grant scheme is due to end in March 2026
. It makes good sense to change your boiler while grants are available to assist you with the cost.
The government has set a budget and can pull the plug on this grant scheme at any time. Funding is limited and will end once the targets have been met.
If you qualify for a free boiler grant, you should not delay your application.
Free Boilers for Low Income Families
This scheme has been set up for all Low Income Families to enjoy.
If You Receive Universal Credit – Tax Credits – Child Benefit fill in the form below and claim your Boiler Grant Today.
Free Boilers for Pensioners
if you are aged over 60 and claim working tax credits, you will be eligible
If you are aged over 60 and receive Guaranteed Pension Credit OR savings Credit you may be entitled to apply for a free replacement boiler.
Pensioners in receipt of a standard state pension do not qualify for a free boiler.
Free Boilers for Disabled
The scheme was opened up in 2018 to include a greater number of people who were previously excluded to be eligible to apply.
Most disabled benefits have now been excluded from the scheme.
Carers Allowance – Disability Living Allowance – PIP – Attendance Allowance – all now are no longer eligible to apply.
You may be eligible under the LAD Scheme.
How To Get A Free Boiler Installed
Fill In The form below and we will contact you within 24 hours to check your eligibility.
Boiler Scrappage Scheme 2022- Is It Still Available?
The £400 boiler scrappage scheme was another government funded initiative program which gave applicants £400 cashback for replacing their old, in-efficient boilers.
This was run by The energy saving Trust who gave you a voucher that entitled you to cashback after your boiler was replaced.
You had 12 weeks to apply for the cashback or you would lose it.
The £400 scheme is now no longer available and has been superseded by a more generous scheme whereby benefits claimants can receive up to £2000 off their boiler.
Free Extras – Please do not apply if this is you!
Unfortunately there are people who try to take advantage of this very generous scheme from the government and attempt to procure various free extras from installers.
These include:
- Free relocation of the boiler
- A free larger boiler
- Free upgrade to a premium boiler
- Refusal to pay contribution if applicable
- Other Freebies.
Please do not apply if you are not a genuine customer and wish to take advantage of this already very generous scheme.