Baxi Bermuda Back Boiler and Fire Front Replacement

[Steve]

Hey guys,

The house I recently moved into currently has a Baxi Bermuda 552 back boiler installed along with a monstrous outset fire front. Looking at all the other fire fronts that are compatible with my model, I'm far from inspired!

So, it seems I'm going to have to buy a new boiler along with a new inset fire front (which are far more pleasing to the eye!) - expensive job I can imagine?!?

Anyway, main question is, where do I get a new Baxi Bermuda boiler from? I've employed my friend Google, but didn't appear to find anything of much use. My local fireplace supplier also said they don't stock these boilers.

I really don't want to go to the great expense of re-plumbing (having re-plumbed) all the feeds and returns etc and fitting a new wall mounted boiler (finding the space etc)

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks, S

[Roger Mills]

Back boilers of this kind are virtually extinct, 'cos the design makes it pretty much impossible to meet current efficiency requirements.

You really need to bite the bullet and find an alternative location (with ready access to an outside wall for the condensate drain) for a high efficiency wall-mounted condensing boiler.

[John]

I'll second that. We had a Bermuda 552 with a GF3 outset fire front but the boiler was kettling badly - to the point of having to turn the TV volume up to ridiculous levels!!

Anyway, had a new Alpha CD32C condensing combi installed in the loft and it's brilliant - *very* efficient and so costs a *lot* less to run than the

552.

We left the isolated back boiler in place so that we could continue to use the fire until we do a refurb on that room in a year or two.

John

[Steve]

Hmm, was afraid that was going to be the answer.

Out of curiosity John, what was involved with that....I guess it's floors up throughout etc? How about cost? (If you don't mind me asking)

Thanks again guys, S

[John]

Don't mind you asking at all Steve :o)

Some people will call us daft for doing it this way but......

The existing pipework and radiators were an original install from when the house was built, over 40 years ago. New rads are more efficient because they have a greater surface area for letting out the heat, and also they aren't full of 40-years-worth of crud. I know we could have had the system powerflushed but I still think there might have been a bit of crud left somewhere that could eventually dislodge and find its way into the brand new boiler to wreack (sp?) untold damage - not to mention that the old stuff may not cope with being pressurised and may have sprung leaks everywhere.

Also thrown into the mix is the fact that we are now both 50-years old and can't see ourselves moving from here until we're carried out in the old wooden boxes, so we decided to go the whole hog and have a complete new system installed, so yes, you're right - floors up throughout, lots of mess and upheaval - but once it's done, it's done. We actually had it done while we were away for the week so missed all that :o)

This was about 2 years ago now and, IIRC, cost somewhere around £2,750 (in Preston, Lancashire - not silly London prices :o))

HTH,

John

[John]

Just seconds after hitting "send", wife came home and said that it was nearer the 3-grand mark.

John

[Ian_m]

My mate has within the last year had a Baxi back bolier and front "real flame" fireplace fitted no issues. Wasn't a modern condensing bolier as when the instatller ticked all the boxes it would not have been easily possible to fit a modern condensing boiler so a like for like was fitted. His boiler was in the centre of the house, built out into the loung, with no access to wall vent outlet and condensate drain. One solution considered was boiler in a kitchen cupboard + massive replumbing, but as the kitchen is small and only has 3 cupboards this was not acceptable + cost was over £3500.

Baxi state on their site

"However, where the installation of a condensing boiler would be impractical or excessively costly, exceptions to the Building Regulations may apply. "

He got it all done for £2200 I think and works fine. I think he had to have an air vent in the lounge modified as previous owners had redecorated over it.