Is it time to replace your old back boiler? The government are now offering 100% FREE grants to remove your old Baxi Bermuda back boiler and replace it with a combi boiler on the wall.
As old backboilers are very expensive to run , the Government has allocated millons of £ to help people convert old back boilers to a combi 100% Free Of Charge
Our team have helped customers in Wolverhampton, the West Midlands and all over England to secure a back boiler replacement grant to cover 100% of the costs.
This Free Back Boiler Grant scheme is for home owners only. The boilers fitted include Ideal – Worcester & Baxi.
Who Qualifies For A Back Boiler Removal Grant?
✅ You Must Have A Back Boiler Behind The Fire
✅ Be A Home Owner ( Or Live With One )In Receipt Of Pension CreditOr A Qualifying Benefit
✅ You Must Have A Home EPC Of E – F – G
How Does The Free Back Boiler Grant Work?
STAGE 1
You Apply By Taking A Survey On This Page.
We Check Your Application
Unsuccessful Applications Are Binned.
STAGE 2
If Eligible, One Of Our Approved Install Partners Will Call You And Book Your Free Survey.
PLEASE ANSWER YOUR PHONE!
STAGE 3
Your 100% FREE Heating & Insulation Is Fitted Within 21 Days
See Our 100% Genuine Reviews
Aidan Costello -Landlord
A very helpful service to access grant aided heating improvements. Followed up progress until new heating installed. thanks.
Kiran Patel – Landlord
“Had a boiler installed through Carlo.
Installers were very helpful and cleaned up after themselves. Very pleased.”
Pauline Robinson
The Engineer who fitted my new gas boiler was thorough, professional, and well-explained how the system worked. Overall I received a first-rate service, which I would highly recommend.
✅ The Government Is Giving 100% Grants To Upgrade To A Combi
✅ If You Qualify For A Grant Your New Combi Boiler Will Be 100% FREE !
✅ This Grant Is Worth Over £3000 If You Had To Pay Privately
✅ You Will Reduce Your Energy Bills By Up To £300 Per Year
✅ You Will Add Lots Of Value To Your Home
✅ You Can Have An Up To Date Gas Fire Fitted Which Will Be More Efficient
Is This Part Of The British Gas Free Boiler Scheme?
Yes. British Gas along with all the other Energy Companies are indirectly funding these free boiler schemes. Baxi Bermuda Back boiler replacements are a high priority as they are very inefficient now and of course very costly to run.
Which Benefits Qualify For A Back Boiler Replacement Grant
Child Benefit ( Income Thresholds Apply)
Child & Working Tax Credits
Employment & Support Allowance
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Job Seekers Allowance
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
How Much Is A Back Boiler To Combi Boiler Done Privately?
You should expect to Pay Between £3000 – £4000 For A Back Boiler Conversion To Combi.
British Gas Will Probably Be A Lot More Due To Their Overheads.
We Recommend You Get 3 Quotes From Local Installers To Keep The Price Down.
Replace Back Boiler Grant - What Is Included ?
Most companies will fit the following to every successful application:
✔️ A Brand New A Rated Boiler
✔️ Thermostatic Valves For All Your Radiators.
✔️ State Of The Art Wireless Thermostat & Programmer
✔️Full Ventilation Package
✔️Free Loft & Cavity Wall Insulation
✔️2 Years Parts & Labour Warranty
✔️ Expert Fitting By Government Approved Installers
Are Replacement Back Boilers Still Available?
Back boilers are no longer being manufactured by most companies apart from the Baxi Bermuda BBU HE See Here
The Baxi Bermuda HE is a fully condensing back boiler with a 15 KW heat output.
Installation of this Back Boiler is easy because it has been designed to be used with the existing pipework of a home.
A back boiler is a heating appliance that is fitted behind a fireplace or stove. Essentially, it is a small, compact boiler that is designed to provide hot water and central heating to a property. The back boiler is connected to the stove or fireplace, and the heat produced by the fire is used to heat water, which is then circulated through the central heating system and hot taps.
Back boilers were commonly used in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s, and many properties built during this time still have them installed. While they are not as popular as they once were, they are still a viable option for some homeowners, particularly those who value the traditional look and feel of a fireplace or stove.
How Much Does A Replacement Back Boiler Cost?
Average prices for the Baxi Bermuda Boilers start from £750 excluding VAT and installation.You can expect little change from £2000.
Unfortunately All Disabled Benefits Have Been Withdrawn From The Warm Front Scheme.
Previously PIP and Carers / Attendance Allowance Were Eligible Benefits But The Government Are No Longer Allowing Them To Qualify.
You Will Need To Be On A Means Tested benefit Now To Be Eligible For A Warm Front Grant.
How Much Is A Back Boiler To Combi Boiler Done Privately?
You should expect to Pay Between £3000 – £4000 For A Back Boiler Conversion To Combi.
British Gas Will Probably Be A Lot More Due To Their Overheads.
We Recommend You Get 3 Quotes From Local Installers To Keep The Price Down.
Back Boiler Removal Costs
The cost of removal for an old back boiler will vary from home to home.
If you already have a central heating system installed and just want to remove the old back boiler from behind the chimney breast, the cost is likely to be between £700 and £1000.
This is a ballpark figure for the job and usually takes a day to fit.
This price will includes the removal of the back boiler, disposal and capping off the old pipework.
This price should include making good and any redecoration work needed for the chimney breast.
Are Back Boiler Removal Grants For Over 70S
Over 70s in receipt of means tested benefits can apply.
Pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee eligible too.
Are Back Boiler Removal Grants For Over 60s & Pensioners Available ?
Over 60s in receipt of means tested benefits can apply.
Pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee eligible too.
Back Boiler Replacement Like For Like – Are There Any Grants?
Back Boiler Replacement Is Not Available Any Longer Due To Government Plans To Do Away With Old Back Boilers & Wall Boilers.
HOWEVER…..You Could Be Eligible For A Back Boiler Conversion To Combi Grant 100% FREE OF CHARGE!
Are Old Back Boilers Removed Completely With The Grant Scheme.
Yes. Our Approved Installers Will Fully Remove The Back Boiler From Behind Your Fireplace As Part Of The Back Boiler Grant. You Will Not Be Charged Any Extra For This.
The fire will always be removed or gas supply removed to it for safety reasons.
Are There Back Boiler Grants For Landlords & Tenants
No. Your landlord needs to provide you with a working boiler.
Boilers & Storage Heaters are now excluded for the private rented sector .
Only insulation & renewable heating can be claimed by landlords.
See Our Landlords Page For a full list of grants available to the private rented sector.
How Much Is The Grant For A Back Boiler Worth ?
Replacing an old backboiler With A Combi Boiler Will Help To Reduce your Heating Bills By Up To 30 % Per Year .
A back boiler conversion usually costs between £3000 – £4000 depending on what work is required.
If you already have a central heating system installed and have decided to have your old back boiler removed from behind the fire, a removal is likely to cost you around £1000 as it is a big job.
The UK Government’s Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO) was introduced to help vulnerable homeowners across England, Scotland and Wales with the reduction of their energy bills.
Back Boiler Grants Have Recently Been Introduced As they Are Very Inefficient and the government wish to do away with back boilers altogether.
Removing /Decommissioning a back boiler and replacing it with a combi boiler is the best choice you will ever make.
To learn more about the Eco Scheme, please visit the GOV WEBSITE
Back Boiler Grants – What Is Included?
Free Fitting
2 Years Full Parts & Labour Warranty
Wireless Programmer & Thermostat
Free Home Insulation Check
Boilers fitted include Ideal – Worcester & Baxi.
Why Apply For A Grant ?
✅ There Is No Catch – We Guarantee it !
✅ If Your Application Is Accepted Your Grant Is 100% FREE
✅ You Will Reduce Your Energy Bills By Up To £300 Per Year
You can get a grant to replace a back boiler for a combi but you cannot have the back boiler replaced on a like for like basis. The government are doing away with old back boilers in favour of the more efficient condensing wall hung boilers.
How much does it cost to replace a back boiler with a combi?
You should expect to pay £3000 £5000 for a back boiler to be replaced with a combi. We recommend you speak to a small local outfit who will be a lot cheaper than British Gas and other large companies.
Are back boilers safe?
Back boilers can be safe if they are installed and maintained properly. However, they can be a potential source of carbon monoxide, so it is important to have them regularly inspected and serviced to ensure that they are working properly and are safe to use.
How long do back boilers last?
Back boilers can last for many years if they are properly maintained.
However, they may need to be replaced if they become outdated or if they develop faults.
Back Boiler Scrappage Scheme
The Back Boiler Scrappage Scheme for the whole of the UK has been available for over 8 years now and many people have benefited from this fantastic boiler scheme which has saved all applicants over £3000 off the price of a new boiler.
See if you are eligible for a grant today
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
Do back boilers need servicing?
Yes – Servicing your back boiler is important as they are open flued and draws its air from the room.
If it is not serviced regularly it will start to produce carbon monoxide.
If there is a problem with the chimney this it could start ‘spilling’ into the room
Should I replace my back boiler with a combi?
Removing your back boiler and replacing it with a combi boiler is ideal if you have a small to medium-sized home.
Combi boilers are a popular boiler type because they’re able to heat hot water on demand and central heating from the same unit without needing an additional tank.
How Much Does A New Back Boiler Cost?
The average cost of replacing a gas back boiler is up to £3000 -£5000 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 the Free Boiler Grant
Does The Back Boiler Grant Need To Be Paid Back ?
Householders that are eligible for all free boiler grants that are available under Eco 4 have no obligation to pay back any money.
The UK government have made installing new back boilers illegal since 2005 but homes with existing back boilers are ok to use them for heating.
New building regulations have made it a requirement to install only high-efficiency condensing boilers.
There are still a large number of back boilers in use across the UK.
Should I replace my back boiler with a combi?
Combi boilers are a much better and popular boiler type for homes because they’re able to heat hot water on demand. Also the central heating comes from from the same unit without needing an additional tank.
What Is A Baxi Bermuda Back Boiler?
Back boilers (also known as back boiler units or BBUs) are an old type of gas boiler which was fitted to many houses in the 1960s -1980s to provide hot water and heating.
Back boilers are usually a small, compact boiler that is fitted at the back of an open fireplace hearth behind a gas fire
The market leader was a Bermuda back boiler open-flued heating system was launched in 1966 and is still in operation 50 years later.
Backboilers were designed to fit behind a living room fireplace in order to save space.
They are called back boilers because they are mounted as a back boiler fireplace or a back boiler stove and use the heat from the fire to provide central heating and domestic hot water.
They are considered outdated and inefficient but are still found in 5 % of UK homes. The 2005 Building Regulations state that installing a back boiler is illegal in the UK.
Bermuda’s backboilers are now very outdated and they are no longer manufactured.
Do back boilers need servicing?
Yes
A back boiler is open flued and draws its air from the room.
If it is not serviced regularly it will start to produce carbon monoxide. If there is a problem with the chimney this it could start ‘spilling’ into the room
When Did The Bermuda Back Boiler First Come Out?
The Bermuda back boiler was first introduced in 1966. They were said to have revolutionised central heating systems as an open-flued appliance.
They have been updated with many different and more fashionable fire fronts in the last 30 years or so that followed.
Bermuda Baxi boilers have always been very reliable and have received some incredible feedback on the platform over the years
The average rating of Baxi’s reviews was 4.5 (almost as good as Worcester, but not quite!), a clear indicator of their products quality and the aftercare offered by their team.
In their day Bermua Backboilers were an excellent choice of heating for homes. They were much cheaper than relying on expensive electric heating and were fitted to the majority of Uk homes that had a gas supply.
Back boilers in the 20th century are outdated and in some cases dangerous.
They also run at much lower efficiencies than modern condensing boilers.
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How Do I Find The Model Of My Back boiler?
To find what type of back boiler you have, simply pull down the flap underneath the boiler.
There will label or small sticker stating the make and model number.
If you have a Baxi Bermuda, you will struggle to find any spare parts and replacing it before it goes belly up should be considered.
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How Does a Back Boiler Work
Gas fire back boilers operate by using the heat generated from the open fire in the fireplace or stove to heat water for your central heating and hot water use.
The boiler itself sits behind a fireplace or stove and is connected to a hot water cylinder. The water is heated up by the back boiler and is stored in the hot water cylinder, to be sent to your taps and shower. The boiler will also heat water in a coil to send around the radiators.
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How To Check If You Have A Back Boiler?
If your boiler is housed behind your gas or electric fireplace, you can be assured that it is a back boiler.
A backboilers flue will be housed in the chimney, which means if you have a new boiler installed, you will require a new flue system as you cannot reuse an old flue
The BAXI Bermuda back boiler dominated the back boiler market in the 60s and this is the model that will usually be in use today.
This type of open fire back boiler uses solid coal fuel to heat up hot water which is sent to your hot taps and central heating system.
There aren’t that many of this type of back boiler about anymore and coal isn’t the cleanest fuel to burn.
They are also very messy and take up lots of upkeep.
If your coal first or back boiler breaks then you will also not be able to replace it with another.
If coal back boiler with a boiler behind it you could save yourself lots of money by investing in a new A-rated combi boiler and converting your heating system.
What Different types of Back boilers Are In Homes?
A back boiler is usually attached to a copper cylinder full of water which is heated up using some sort of fuel. Usual fuel types will be solid fuel – gas.
The gas-fired back boiler such as the Baxi Bermuda was a revolutionary boiler back when it first came out and was installed in many homes in the UK.
These gas back boilers were then energy-efficient and a cheaper way of heating your home.
Now though with the advancement in technology and the introduction of condensing gas boilers, these are nowhere near as energy-efficient and could be costing you up to £700 more per year to run.
Are Back Boilers Still Legal?
Conventional Back Boilers Can Still Be Fitted Legally.
Building Regulations do still allow for conventional back-boilers (ie gas fires with boilers, fitted in fireplaces) to be replaced like-for-like in situations where it would be difficult to fit a new condensing boiler against an outside wall.
Back boilers were very popular in the 60s and 70s but are gradually being phased out in favour of combis. Baxi Bermuda -Parkray and Rayburn boilers were the main names with this type of heating.
The open fire would heat the water in a tank behind the fire and this heated water would rise into a cylinder connected to it upstairs which would be used by the home occupants for washing etc.
It is very difficult now to replace a back boiler with a similar type as back boilers are no longer manufactured apart from the Baxi Bermuda Condensing Boiler.
PLEASE NOTE FOR SAFETY – If you do upgrade to a combi boiler , we recommend that the old disused back boiler ( in situ behind the fireplace ) should still be removed .
How Efficient Is a Back Boiler?
An old back boiler usually is around 60 -70% efficient which compared to modern condensing boilers which are 92-94% energy efficient.
Back boiler fire systems are now replaced by a condensing boiler or the new heat pumps which will be over 90% efficient.
In real terms, for every £1 of gas that is burned, you are only getting the benefit of 70p worth of useable heat and the other 30p worth is being lost up the chimney.
By replacing it with a new boiler you can reduce your fuel bill by up to £305 per year.
Are Back Boilers Safe
There is no reason why they should be unsafe if they have been services yearly and thoroughly checked by a qualified gas safe engineer.
If you have an old back boiler behind the fire that has been decommissioned, we would recommend that you pay an engineer to inspect that it has been put out of service safely.
How Long Do Baxi Back Boilers Last
Back boilers usually last for around 25 years, provided they have been well maintained and serviced regularly.
Some backboilers, particularly the Baxi Bermuda have been know to last over 40 years as they were well made in the 60s.
Indeed there are still many backboilers in the Uk that are still going to this day, albeit they wont be very efficient and will be up to a third more expensive to run.
If your old Baxi Bermuda is on its last legs you should bite the bullet and have it replaced with a combi.
The chances are that it has had a good innings and needs to go to the back boiler heaven in the sky.
Dont forget that there are Back Boiler Removal Grants Available Too to replace them at no cost.
Can You Sell A House With A Back Boiler?
You can sell your house with a backboiler fitted as they are not illegal but it will make your home a lot harder to sell.
A new boiler will always be a good selling point.
When did back boilers cease to be fitted in homes?
In 2005 Building Regulations requirements changed and backboilers were no longer allowed to be fitted in new build houses.
This was down to backboilers having very poor efficiency and safety issues.
Are Back Boilers Still Available To Buy?
Yes The Baxi Bermuda BBU HE Boiler is a fully condensing back boiler which has been designed for homeowners looking to replace their old back boiler with a more efficient system.
UK government regulations state that all boiler systems must have a minimum of 86% efficiency, so most models of back boilers are no longer manufactured .
As long as your property is a minimum Energy Performance Certificate rating of E , you are still allowed to rent out homes with a back boiler fitted.
If Below E it will be your obligation to upgrade this for your tenant, or before you let out the property to new tenants.
A gas Safe Cert will also be required
Can a back boiler explode?
If a fire is lit in front of a redundant back boiler that has been left in a sealed condition, it can heat up and the internal pressure can cause the boiler casing to explode.
We recommend that when a back boiler is decommissioned , the whole system should be drained and all redundant pipework removed.
All properly decommissioned back boilers must be fitted with a safety valve to regulate pressure build up.
The back boiler if possible should be removed too.
Should you replace a 20 year old back boiler?
A central heating system using a backboiler behind the fire that is over 20 years old is likely to be made significantly cheaper to run by replacing with a condensing boiler.
You will probably save over £200 per year by replacing it.
Good idea to see if you are eligible for a grant.
Back Boiler Removal - What Is The Process?
It’s likely that a back boiler removal will take quite a bit of work as it is positioned behind your fireplace.
Typically, the process will include:
Removing the fireplace
Removing the back boiler system
Reconstruction of the mantle space
Installation of the combi boiler system in an alternative location
New pipework installed to fit with new combi boiler
Work to be done on the flue system to suit the combi boiler (the back boiler would have used the chimney).
Remove Back Boiler- Does It Take long?
You should allow a full day and an engineer will charge you his day rate plus any extras needed
We do not recommend removing your back boiler by yourself unless you really know what you are doing.
Disconnect your backboiler from the gas supply and water supply by capping off both.
Make a hole into the back boiler to make it waterless.
Cut the pipes connected to the cylinders or tanks.
How Long Does A Back Boiler Conversion Take?
Back boilers are often the most difficult system upgrades to install.
Given their location (behind your gas fire), they aren’t easy to remove and the removal is often quite a difficult job and usually quite expensive. It can be quite a messy job as it can involve the removal of the fireplace and the area around the fire to be able to remove it.
In some cases, the back boiler can be decommissioned and left where it is so the disruption is minimised.
This is for replacing an old back boiler with a combi boiler.
The new boiler will be put on an outside wall usually in the kitchen or bathroom and new pipe work installed including a gas supply and distribution of hot and cold supplies.
This is a large job and can take around 2 days to complete.
How To Remove a Back Boiler
We recommend you do not do this yourself and employ the services of a Gas safe Registered Engineer.
Have two to three empty buckets to hand as dirty water coming out of the boiler can damage your flooring and carpets
Remove carpets and all the unnecessary things from the room.
Dust and pieces of brick will be flying around and it would be best to protect your furniture.
You can place old rugs over the floor to prevent scratching.
Have one spare bucket to collect pipework waste in.
Engineers will have to uproot the pipework and there will be a lot of dirty water and limescale present.
Free Back Boiler Manuals.
You can download many boiler manuals and back boiler manuals from an excellent site called FREE BOILER MANUALS
Most UK boilers are included in this site.
Baxi Bermuda Spare Parts
Baxi bermuda spare parts are still available in the UK albeit they are not stocked by many outlets now.
selling a house with an old back boiler fitted. This could potentially put some buyers off so do consider replacing it for a new combi. Dont forget there are grants available too.
Back Boiler Removal Cost
This is for homes that already have a full central heating installed and just want the old back boiler removed from behind the fireplace.
Full back boiler removal from your chimney breast ( that has been already decommissioned) you can expect to pay up to £1000.
This cost will cover the :
Decommissioning of back boiler and the attached pipework
Full removal of the old back boiler
Removal Of The Gas Fire
full disposal
capping off of the old pipework.
replastering of the chimney breast
Back Boiler Engineers Near Me
If your back boiler heating is not working or your back boiler is leaking or just need a back boiler service , there are a number of sites you can use to find the right engineer to assist you.
Please remember that a Back Boiler Repair may not be viable and could be false economy.
Spending hundreds of pounds on an old heating system could be money wasted.
Yes. You can have the gas supply and water supply disconnected to the back boiler. This should be done by a Gas Safe registered plumber / engineer.
What is the life expectancy of a back boiler?
Back boilers have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years.
The risks associated with back boilers highly increase with age.
As the last back boiler installations were somewhere in the 1980s, we recommend you have it replaced for a combi sooner than later.
Are old back boilers safe?
Old gas back boilers are safe but if they have been disconnected, you should ensure that a fire is not lit as there have been reports of explosions in the past. This is due to incorrect / unsafe decommisssioning.
Can a back boiler be removed?
When a solid fuel back boiler is no longer needed we recommend you totally remove the back boiler installation from the fireplace rather than simply disconnect it.
