Replacing floor standing boiler when wall space is limited

[Rgemini]

We have an old floor-standing Gloworm CH/HW system which is sited in what was the kitchen fireplace, using the old chimney with an aluminium liner. It still works well but is inefficient.

From what I've read here a direct replacement wouldn't be possible because all boilers now have to be on an outside wall.

We have a fairly large 1900s 4 bedroom end of terrace, but there is a full-width conservatory on the back of the house and nowhere that I can see to site a balanced flue. I don't want to have to put a replacement in a bedroom if I can possibly avoid it and the bathroom is too small and narrow.

Before I start looking for local CORGI fitters and inviting quotes for the work I'd like to have some idea of the options so I can take an informed view of what I get told and know what questions to ask.

From reading other threads it sounds as if it might be possible to site a balanced flue boiler in the loft, perhaps on the party wall, venting through the roof. Is this a potential option, and can anyone tell me the pros and cons?

Roy Ayres
Eltham, London

 

[gas4you]

NOT ALL boilers have to be on a outside wall. Most new boilers have a multitude of flueing options available.

Halstead, although they do not have one of the better reutations, have a flue liner kit that enables a new condensing boiler to be fitted in your existing position.

You may have to use a condensing pump as an extra but a normal open vented boiler could be fitted there.

I personally have found that although Halsteads are reasonably cheap, their worse reputation has been caused by DIY or cowboy installers not fitting them correctly.

 

[bengasman]

With use of plume diverters, flue extensions and the likes, you can put a boiler almost anywhere you like, and if all else fails, loft is fine.
Bearing in mind that there will be quite a bit of extra work anyway getting rid of all the old junk and bringing it up today’s spec, the bit of money for a new gaspipe to the loft should not make much difference.
Most important part though is finding a good installer, strange as that may sound.

 

[Agile]

When I pressed a Halstead rep on the price of the flue kit it was stated to be about £500 !!!

So although its a possibility to have a Halstead in the centre of your house and flue it up the chimney it will not be a very cheap solution!

Tony

 

[gas4you]

That must have been for the 30m length Tony?

I've been quoted £330, still very expensive though, although when fitting a vertical flue option I find this adds £200- £300 to the installation generally.

 

[heatingman]

Question? The Halstead flue, is it flexible and one complete length, thought I read in Installer that all flue joints had to be accesible.