Are you wondering if you can still use your fireplace and marble after getting your back boiler removed?
If you have an old, inefficient back boiler that needs replaced, there are a few options available to you. And the good use is, you CAN still keep your fireplace and marble!
However, it might not be quite how you imagined.
As an experienced engineer, let me explain more about your options when replacing your old back boiler.
How to keep your fireplace and marble when replacing a back boiler
You notice I said ‘replacing’ rather than removing there.
This is because removing a back boiler tends to leave quite a bit of mess behind, and usually involves removing the boiler leaving a large hole in the wall. In most cases, you can’t keep your fireplace working when a back boiler is removed in this way.
However, there IS an alternative – and it works out cheaper, too. You can keep your old back boiler in place, and have it decommissioned. This has two main benefits:
- You won’t have a huge hole in your wall, and the cost of decorating
- You should be able to keep your fireplace and marble in place!
There is one caveat to this: it will require additional testing on your fire by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If they find it is 100% safe to use and still working properly, you’ll still be able to use your fire whilst your boiler is decommissioned.
TIP: If your fire is unsafe, it may be best to rip everything out and install a radiator in your living room, instead. You can get a bit creative with it, if you can afford it!
Choosing a new location for your boiler
Once your old back boiler is decommissioned, you’ll have to choose a location for your new boiler. Bear in mind you would have to do this anyway, as your old back boiler flues into a traditional chimney. Your new boiler will require its flue to be installed through an outside wall or vertically through your roof.
You may wish to install your new boiler in a kitchen cupboard, bedroom cupboard, storage cupboard, garage or even your attic, depending on how your home is set-up and the recommendations of your chosen engineer.
Your chosen engineer should be able to help advise on where this can realistically go. You may want a compact model that fits in a kitchen cupboard, or in a larger cupboard elsewhere in your home.
TIP: You’ll also have to decide on the type of boiler you need. Why not check out my full guide on replacing a back boiler, right here?
The best part is that you’ll have a new, energy-efficient boiler with (hopefully) a nice, long guarantee! As long as you get it serviced annually, you won’t have to worry about it breaking down.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful when looking up whether you can keep your old fireplace and marble when removing a back boiler. The good news is, you can keep your fireplace and marble intact – you just need to have your old back boiler decommissioned, rather than torn out. It could actually save you money!
Do you have any more questions about your old back boiler? Let me know in the comments. I’m always happy to make myself useful!
