I think he was telling porkies, but did he put this in writing?
In the last decade, back boilers have got many barriers.
The UK Government has declared a few regulations.
Back boilers which have been updated to new back boilers are still allowed, old back boiler usage is illegal.
In wigwams they have a fire in the middle where they also cook their food. This was the first form of central eating.
when we moved in here the gas boiler was old so had that replaced. That heats 9 radiators and 2 towel rails, as well as hot water in the utility room- kitchen- downstairs toilet- main bathroom and en suite which also has a built in shower cubicle
Carol, there is a modern efficient back boiler replacement model available and with only minor work required, it’s a relatively simple swap which will connect up to the existing pipework already in place serving your existing back boiler.
See, how threads like this can help others, Carol in this case,
Oh yes, indeed they do, BUT, only if members actually read the original post in its entirety in the first instance. All too often, some offer advice that if they had read the original post properly, they would know their advice is not applicable.
Yes we have central heating here, oil-fired & I had a new boiler installed two years ago.
I’m quite pleased now that I didn’t pay the £900+ that the gas people wanted just for a bit of pipe from the end of our driveway.
Over the past few years there hasn’t been a huge difference in the cost of running on oil vs gas, and it would take gas being a lot cheaper to run to make switching over worthwhile and with the change to air pumps etc. now looming too and oil/gas being gradually phased out, just for once it looks like sticking with oil was a good decision.
That’s very true LD…I’ve taken note of that, thank you,
Some may remember me talking of when we had a company approach our flat residents, asking if we wanted loft insulation done, and/or storage radiator replacement, under a new scheme. My Scottish neighbour had her loft insulation put down, and we both took advantage of the radiator replacement. Ours were >20 years old by then but she reckoned it was a con, and regretted doing it. I was happy in that they were aesthetically more pleasing than the old ones removed (lounge and bedroom). They only left the hall one because it was a small type. I had a radiator cover over the old one in the lounge, it was that awful.
The new rads were a bind, working out how to use them, but looked better, and I still think their replacement helped me sell the flat quickly. (It was only about 2 years after.) I’d never go back to that type of system.
Thanks MrFraggle. You’ve given me hope,
That is brilliant. Thanks so much LD.
Now if I could get a grant to have it installed wouldn’t that be nice? 
I do have a modern gas fire in the lounge and central heating . In the deepest darkest winter i Iike to have the gas fire on as it’s more cosy .
I have question for those in the know
Is it cheaper to put on my gas fire rather than use the central heating . ?
I have an open lounge with staircase in room so i shut upstairs doors .
Any one know please
I had the complete central heating system replaced about three years’ ago. New boiler, radiators, pipework. Plus taking out the old cold water tank in the loft and the copper cylinder. The old system was costing a fortune to run and keep going as it was. The new one is a combi boiler and all new radiators with thermostatic valves on all except one, a wall thermostat / programmer in the hall keeps it all regulated. Being computerised, like most things these days, also means it’s very economical, probably getting for a third more economical than the very old system. Expensive to have done initially but in terms of running costs and comfort well worth it.
Central heating is more efficient to run than a gas fire. So if you have adjustable radiators, it’s better to turn the radiator temperature up in the room you’re using, and down in the other rooms.
I have no idea what’s cheaper to run ,Susan…why not try running both at different times, then write the usage down on each?
I do know it’s cheaper to heat my water tank in one go, then leave it a few days before I heat it up again as the water stays hot for ages.
Rather than leaving it on on all day every day.
Showers are cheaper than baths as well.
That is strange, the government grants should not be dependent upon the difficulty of the job, but upon the need. Did they state why you failed to get the voucher? Or did you apply via someone like British Gas? If so that makes perfect sense.
We had a Baxi Bermuda back boiler in this house when we moved in 47 years ago. We got rid of it and changed to gas central heating after 4 years. The central heating fitters removed our back boiler before they started our new system.
Here we have gas central heating, with no back beyond a gas fire in the lounge. And our boiler is now around 10 years old, so at the end of it’s life.
I have the finest CH in the world - good red blood with efficient circulation!
Sorry - slightly more serious answer - I have gas CH and a ‘living flame’ fire in the sitting room. I very rarely feel the cold so the CH isn’t on unless the outdoor temperature drops below 4C. The fire has been on only once this year - and that was to stop the cats from whinging! The boiler is an ancient - but working perfectly - ‘Ideal’ . Have told the guy who services it for me that, if he damages it, I’ll chop his hands off. Don’t want one of those ‘combi’ things.
There are several variables that will have to be considered before a well thought trough answer can be supplied.
I would need to know the rated input of your gas fire and how high you would run the fire after initial ignition.
To run a full wet heating system with several radiators turned down low(ish) or off via the thermostatic valves will reduce the demand on the gas boiler causing it to constantly cycle from low fire (if a modulating type) to it’s set resting period and then fire up again in the constant cycle to satisify the control settings. If that is your intention to cut down in other rooms, then I would hazard a guess that running your main sitting room with the gas fire set to say medium heat with the doors shut, will be somewhat more economical that running your heating system with a reduced heat load.
Thank you long driver appreciate it
