Back Boilers

[Jondel]

The house that we are moving into have got a back boiler for heating and hot water,

We have absolutely no idea what this is or how it works, and why is it behind the fire place,

And the big question, are they any good.

Thanks in advance

[Loosehead]

it's behind the fire so the fire heats it! They are great as long as you light a fire! Otherwise hot water may be at a premium!

[chakka35]

There was a back boiler in this house when we first moved in and it worked by gas. It was in the fireplace because it had a gas-fire in front of it. Is yours gas-fired?

[maxine55]

It is not behind the fire so it heats it! it just a boiler that is situated beind a fire.they are low efficencey though

[gasman]

Do not worry they work perfectly fine, They work just the same as any other system or vented open flued boiler, they are just hidden out of the way and use the chinmey to safley evacuate the products of combustion. but as with all boilers it is very important they are serviced every year especially back boiler types as CO poisioning is the biggest problem of unserviced open flued boilers.The fire does not heat the water as previousley suggested it is the back boiler itself that heats the hot water and the radiators. The fire is just what it is a fire simple as that and cover's up the boiler.