Boilers

[slaughteredlamb]

Okay Forum Dad's do you your stuff. Talk to me about boilers.

At the moment we have a Back Boiler in the chimney breast (fake chimney breast) in the living room which has a pretty revoulting gas fire front. We also have central heating in all rooms but I must admit that although the CH does take the chill off it doesnt get really warm and so we do tend to use the gas fire downstairs too.

Problems:
1. Everytime I turn on the gas fire you can smell a bit of gas but this only lasts a few seconds but it's not that reassuring.
2. Iv'e no idea when the boiler was last serviced, it was here when we bought the house nearly 2 years ago.
3. I've no idea if there are any emissions coming from the boiler like CO2, Gas etc. Certainly we don't feel unwell, light headed etc but the fact that we can smell a bit of gas when we light the fire is a worry.
4. Apparently back boilers are inefficient

So ideally we are looking at replacing the boiler with a non back boiler type. Now let's just pretend that we have the money to do this.

Questions:
1. The only place we can put a new boiler is in the Kitchen inside a cupboard where the gas meter is. Can you put a boiler in a cupboard or does it need ventilation i.e. access to an outside wall (the wall it would be on in an internal one)?

2. We would still want a gas fire in the living room. Are we going to have to take up all the floor boards etc in order to lay pipes or should it be possible to 'tap' into the existing network of pipes that are there i.e. there must be pipes going from the existing boiler to everywhere else so can these be used to fuel a new gas fire?

3. How many organs will I have to sell in order to fund this?

Now lets just say that I don't have the money to do this at the moment.

Are there any 'kits' alarms etc that you can buy to alert you of any harmful emissions from a boiler?

[sickpuppy]

Don't know anything about replacing boilers but you can buy carbon monoxide detectors from all good DIY stores. Either electric plug devices or little sticker things that change colour.

[yawner]

Don't know anything about replacing boilers but you can buy carbon monoxide detectors from all good DIY stores. Either electric plug devices or little sticker things that change colour.

WHS plus get your existing boiler serviced NOW. Shouldn`t cost more than fifty quid.

Apparently back boilers are inefficient

Not necessarily. We've come a long way from the 'Glow Worm Majorca'. My mum & dad had their gas fire & back bolier replaced a couple of years ago, and the new system is excellent. Can`t remember exactly what they paid the plumber (in the region of £3k to £5k), but the local British Gas gits quoted £10k, so shop around.

[Chris H]

Get some local recommendations for gas fitters and get a new boiler sorted. You can put the boiler anywhere provided you can vent it to an external wall / roof. Mine's in a landing cupboard with a pipe running through a built in wardrobe to an outside wall.

Then get a British Gas contract for servicing. Excellent service IMO.

And fer gawd's sake get a carbon monoxide alarm.

[Shirker]

Okay Forum Dad's do you your stuff. Talk to me about boilers.

Usually you are at most risk after an evening of deep inebriation. Boilers can be hard to shake off as you may be the first bloke to have shown interest in the last four years but perseverance on your part is essential. After extracating yourself, quietly check to see if any mates noticed the true extent of the Boilerism, if not you are safe, if they did consider emigrating.

[sickpuppy]

Okay Forum Dad's do you your stuff. Talk to me about boilers.

Usually you are at most risk after an evening of deep inebriation. Boilers can be hard to shake off as you may be the first bloke to have shown interest in the last four years but perseverance on your part is essential. After extracating yourself, quietly check to see if any mates noticed the true extent of the Boilerism, if not you are safe, if they did consider emigrating.

Wise words. Oh and don't ry and stick a carbon monoxide sticker on this type of boiler. They don't like it.