There is a way back from back boilers
It was only thirty years ago that just about every UK home heated their domestic hot water through something known as a "back boiler". As the name suggests the boiler was positioned at he back of an open fireplace, usually heated by coal or even by logs.
These days back boilers have become almost instinct, and it is only in the most fare reaching corners of the British Isles that you will find them still in operation. There are many reasons that the back boiler bit the dust, not only because they needed the owners to gather up logs or store loads of coal to keep the home fire burning. There was a more serious problem with back boilers that hasted their extinction and that was their inherent water pressure problems. The problems were brought about by the fact that water heated in to living room had to be pumped upwards to the boiler which was usually in the loft. From there the forces of gravity would send it back downstairs to the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom and so on.
Progress and innovation has virtually seen an end to the back boiler, with just about every alternative being an improvement from this outdated system. Probably the most widely used method of heating water these days for British householders are the Combi boiler, and understandably so.
In just a few years Combi boiler have become the most popular boiler type for heating water and a operating central heating system in the UK. The reasons why are multi-fold. By design they are very compact. Capable of fitting into a cupboard for a small house or a flat and for larger homes with larger families can still heat copious amounts of water from a very small footprint. Because they are usually gas powered, they can be situated anywhere in the home and will suffer none of water pressure problems that the back boiler was notorious for.
By nature of their design, combi boilers are also very cost efficient, due to their facility to heat water without the need to store it first, these long waiting times and rapid cool downs are a thing of the past. With combi boilers you have hot water on tap 24/7.
So if you are considering upgrading your boiler it would be wise to think combi. If you have any questions, contact your local British Gas branch who will be happy to answer any of your questions on the virtue of combi boilers.
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