Home help, would you buy a second hand boiler?

[Swampy442]

And if not why not? Mine is rubbish but I havent got the 1000+ quid to buy a new one, plus fitting, plus certification.

[steve spedd]

I guess it's the risk in the condition of it mate and would it come with any guarantee?

[mistertwo]

I wouldn't - simply for peace of mind. Like, I expect, most of us on here wouldn't buy a second hand turbo off just anyone.

 

Companies like British Gas often have a scrappage thing going, where you can get a new one for a discount - might be worth a look?

[JamieP]

Very much a risk buying secondhand id say, most have been removed for a reason.

[Bailey.]

as above, maybe the only time you could consider is if the person selling are extending the system and need a larger kw boiler to support it. there is a pretty good chance its in good knick then,

[stu861]

im a plumber mate i would say not the best idea to do that, is it a combi boiler? you can normally pick up a decent one for about £500 http://www.plumbcenter.co.uk/plumb/index.html have a look around u can get some good deals

[Bailey.]

im a plumber mate i would say not the best idea to do that, is it a combi boiler? you can normally pick up a decent one for about £500 http://www.plumbcenter.co.uk/plumb/index.html have a look around u can get some good deals

 

stu will even come and fit it for you chap...

[Swampy442]

as above, maybe the only time you could consider is if the person selling are extending the system and need a larger kw boiler to support it. there is a pretty good chance its in good knick then,

 

Cheers for the replies Bailey thats what Ive found, 4 yrs old and serviced every year, changed as theyve got an extension.

So the answer is basically no then.

 

*Edit*And Devon to Lincoln is a loooong way to fit a boiler lol

[Chris Wilson]

IMHO 20 or so year old oil fired central heating boilers, whist allegedly not as efficient as new ones, were a HELL of a lot more durable and reliable than these modern, electronics rich things. Our bungalow is about 20 years old now, and it's still on its original boiler. I would need a damned good reason to change it, and a small fuel saving isn't one of them, and most definitely any "environment" issues won't sway me! To me if it's not the work of two stolid men to lift, it's a tinny bit of junk

[Swampy442]

Mine is 17 odd years old now Chris and Ive had British Gas out 6 times a year to fix various leaks, and Im sat here with a hoodie on despite the heating being on full pelt. I need a full central heating overhaul

[Havard]

Mine is 17 odd years old now Chris and Ive had British Gas out 6 times a year to fix various leaks, and Im sat here with a hoodie on despite the heating being on full pelt. I need a full central heating overhaul

 

Sounds like your radiators aren't big enough? My old terrace house had radiators that couldn't overcome the heatloss from the windows and draughts under the doors etc.

 

My first quarterly gas bill was £220 and that was 12 years ago.

[Terminator]

If is an old system there is a good chance that it is not the boiler that is the cause of the problem but sludge in the system, that is severely restricting the water flow. A power flush may help.

[Shane]

Have to say I agree Chris here. When I moved here 26 years ago I foolishly pulled out a huge solid fuel boiler and put in what at the time was modern tech Halstead fanned flue gas boiler and had 15 years of hassle from it. I then saw a second hand 10 + year old Ideal Mexico gas boiler advertised locally, floor standing, heavy as *.*CK cast iron and conventional flue, cost me £75 stuck it in and been working now fine for about 8 years. Nice and simple, no electronics, just a stat, solenoid works well. My son however bought a Potterton combi boiler and it lasted 4 years, broke down all the time, cost a packet and we had to replace it for our sanity's sake. Also Swampy it's not rocket science to do it yourself and then find yourself a local gas safe fitter to come and make the gas connection and get it certified, although seems to me a lot of them dont seem too clued up anyhow based on experiences we had with my Son's boiler install, but that's another story!

 

IMHO 20 or so year old oil fired central heating boilers, whist allegedly not as efficient as new ones, were a HELL of a lot more durable and reliable than these modern, electronics rich things. Our bungalow is about 20 years old now, and it's still on its original boiler. I would need a damned good reason to change it, and a small fuel saving isn't one of them, and most definitely any "environment" issues won't sway me! To me if it's not the work of two stolid men to lift, it's a tinny bit of junk