DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi Folks,

My father has just had a ridiculous quote from British Gas for a new boiler: £4600+VAT!!! They are claiming that they can't support his current combi boiler which has been a bad choice for him. It had been claimed that it could be installed in the attic originally but when it came to installation they couldn't do it and it ended up in a bedroom which is a pain.

So, we're looking for a boiler(combi or condensing with tank) that can be installed in the attic which is reliable, cheap to service and will be accepted for maintenance by British Gas.

What do you recommend? Is installing in the attic ok? Any other suggestions?

Cheers,

jahman

No problem with fitting a boiler in the attic providing it is installed to the manufacturers spec. The location must allow for adequate space for free air movement and servicing. Usual GB, OTT pricing, have a look in your local yellow pages for registered installing companies for realistic prices. There are quite a few reliable boilers out there, however, price and reliability run close together. Be adised by your registered installer.

[quote="DEEARR2"]No problem with fitting a boiler in the attic providing it is installed to the manufacturers spec. The location must allow for adequate space for free air movement and servicing. Usual GB, OTT pricing, have a look in your local yellow pages for registered installing companies for realistic prices. There are quite a few reliable boilers out there, however, price and reliability run close together. Be adised by your registered installer.[/quote]

Thanks for that. I've got some other info for things to look out for, e.g. froststats and things like that. We'll get a local CORGI guy to install and maybe just use him for an annual inspection. Bound to be cheaper than BG in the long run I suspect.

Cheers,

jahman

Ifa boiler is installed in an attic -

There has to be adequate lighting
The walkway to the boiler must be boarded.
You must be able to isolate the gas supply to the boiler without entering the attic, and not just the meter ECV.
There must be handrails around the loft hatch.
Suitable access equipment eg loft ladder, not just a pair of stepladders.

Quite alot to consider for instaling in a loft space, main reason why most people don't bother.


htg

[quote="htg engineer"]Ifa boiler is installed in an attic -

There has to be adequate lighting
The walkway to the boiler must be boarded.
You must be able to isolate the gas supply to the boiler without entering the attic, and not just the meter ECV.
There must be handrails around the loft hatch.
Suitable access equipment eg loft ladder, not just a pair of stepladders.

Quite alot to consider for instaling in a loft space, main reason why most people don't bother.


htg[/quote]

Hi htg,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like we'd require a proper loft ladder and hand rails but we do at least have a floored attic and lighting although we might need some more light sockets. Could be worth getting done in any case with a view to extending the house into the attic in the future.

Cheers,

jahman

[quote="htg engineer"]Ifa boiler is installed in an attic -

There has to be adequate lighting
The walkway to the boiler must be boarded.
You must be able to isolate the gas supply to the boiler without entering the attic, and not just the meter ECV.
There must be handrails around the loft hatch.
Suitable access equipment eg loft ladder, not just a pair of stepladders.

Quite alot to consider for instaling in a loft space, main reason why most people don't bother.


htg[/quote]

Spurious post!

No, it's not spurious.
Most people don't have boilers in their lofts hence " they don't bother"
Too much hassle unless the ONLY option.

Hth

I'm just telling you the regualtions that the installation MUST comply to if you decide to install a boiler in a loft space.

Most people don't go for this option because of the extra work and cost.

You will not be able to sell your house without this extra work, or receive a CORGI certificate.


Htg

[quote="Steve the gas"]No, it's not spurious.
Most people don't have boilers in their lofts hence " they don't bother"
Too much hassle unless the ONLY option.

Hth[/quote]

Actually I meant that it was a spurious, duplicate post of mine;).

I would've thought it was seldom the only option, rather the most desirable option in a number of circumstances. Here, the only other real option we have is to put it in a dinning room which is, IMHO, undesirable.

Cheers,

jahman