On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 11:10:40 +0000, Tony Bryer wrote:

In article , Rob wrote:
Whilst having a gas stove fitted the other day, I was talking to
the boss fitter about central heating and he said the rule about
all new boilers having to be condensing after next April has been
postponed for several years. He claimed to have been to a Corgi
meeting where it was explained that it had been dropped because
condensing boilers are still very unpopular due to doubts about
reliability. [snip]

Does he know what he's talking about

No. The assessment procedure for determining when a non-condensing
boiler will be acceptable after April 2005 was published last week:

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/grou...eg_032807.hcsp

The installer has to consider the various places where a boiler
might be installed. A number are automatically considered to
be impracticable (e.g boiler in principal living room that does
not include a kitchen). Then you add up the score (following
numbers are for mains gas):

Flat: 710 Mid-terrace house: 640 Other house: 590

Resiting of existing boiler required: +350

Flue extensions 2m required: +200

Condensate pump or soakaway required: +100

If the score for any possible location is 1000 or less then a
condensing boiler must be installed


Looks like a back-boiler in a flat can be replaced with a non-condensing
unit then. Elsewhere a back boiler can be replace with a non-condensing
unit provided the only locations would require long flues or pumps etc.



--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html