Are you having trouble with an old Baxi Bermuda back boiler?
It’s never fun when your boiler gives you cause for concern, but somehow it seems even worse when it’s an older model, as you think it’s probably on its last legs!
Over the years as an experienced heating engineer, I’m no stranger to troubleshooting boiler issues, and I’ve had plenty of dealings with these boilers in particular. The good news is that they have very little working parts to go wrong.
Below, I’m going to talk you through some of the main problems with Baxi Bermuda back boilers, and what to do if you experience them.
Bermuda back boilers: a history
The Bermuda back boiler was first introduced in 1966, although they were updated with many different and more fashionable fire fronts in the 30 years or so that followed.
At the time of their introduction as an open-flued appliance, they were said to have revolutionised central heating systems. In fact, according to Baxi, it’s estimated that over 80% of back boiler installations were Bermudas – now that’s saying something!
But as you may know, open-flued appliances came with their own set of problems, and the world has since moved on.
Troubleshooting a Bermuda boiler
Below are some things to watch out for with your Bermuda boiler, although if you’re having problems, I’d really recommend calling a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately.
1. Get it serviced annually
Because the Bermuda is an open-flued appliance, you really must make sure it is serviced annually so that any problems can be spotted right away.
2. Check your air vent
You should also regularly check that there’s nothing blocking the air vent in the room, as this provides oxygen to the boiler. If there is a blockage, the boiler may shut itself off to avoid leaking potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes into the room.
TIP: For this reason, you should always have a carbon monoxide detector installed in the room – change the batteries regularly.
3. Reset the pilot light
The only real working parts in a Bermuda boiler are the gas valve and pilot assembly. However, one of the most common problems I’ve seen is the thermocouple failing due to wear and tear over the years, causing the pilot light to go out. Resetting it can be very fiddly, and if this keeps happening, I’d recommend calling an engineer.
Call a professional
In this day and age, I would always call out an experienced heating engineer to take a look at your Bermuda boiler for you – this is the safest course of action, and if you are ever in doubt, please call in an expert.
However, it’s worth it to bear in mind that Bermudas are typically very old, obsolete and inefficient products, so you should really be prepared to replace your boiler at some point.
Replacing a Bermuda
Replacing your old Bermuda boiler won’t come cheap – since it’s a back boiler, it may need to be ripped out of the wall, or there’s the option to just leave it where it is (decommissioned) and install a combi boiler in a cupboard instead.
However, a replacement boiler will be much more energy efficient, and you will almost certainly notice a saving on your heating bills when you fit an A-rated appliance, such as a Baxi Platinum combi or a Baxi Duo-tec combi.
I’ve personally replaced a great many back boilers over the years, and usually my customers can’t believe how fast the house heats with a more efficient boiler – or how much they can save on gas!
Plus, there’s usually the option to fit a new fireplace, block up the wall, or just leave the old fireplace where it is with the boiler decommissioned. Whichever option works best for you.
TIP: If your property is let out to tenants, new regulations coming into effect this year mean that they can ask for energy efficient measures to be carried out to improve the property – and you will have to oblige.
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble with an old Bermuda boiler, I’d recommend calling in an experienced Gas Safe registered engineer, just to be on the safe side. These boilers were built to last, and the good news is that they don’t have a lot of different working parts to go wrong.
However, because this is such an inefficient and obsolete boiler, you should really think about replacing it in future. You could see a significant decrease in your energy bills as a result!
Which problems are you currently experiencing with your old Bermuda boiler? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll do my best to reply.
Can a Baxi bermuda front section,(ie the room heater) work on its own.
The back boiler section is being decommisioned and being replace by a Combi unit.
My Baxi Bernuda Back boiler was bought in the 8o’s. I have never had any problems until December 2016. However, the front fire is working fine, but the pilot light to the back boiler lights up but is not firing to heat the radiators. Please advise and recommend a qualified engineer
Hi John,
Thank you for your advise. My old Baxi is 33-1/2 years old. Over that time it has given me very little trouble. 3 flame detectors and a boiler control valve. The fire front and radiators are still the original. I’ve had a couple of motorised valves and a Salamander board. Everything else is as fitted 33 years ago (Dec 1982) including the pump. I guess I have had my money’s worth and its probably time for a new one. Only thing is it’s like putting your favourite dog down. I am torn between a new back boiler and one of these new fangled wall boilers. I am 73 years old so I don’t need another boiler to last 33 years but I want one that is reliable. What do you suggest?
Kind regards,
Phil
Hi John, I recently had gas meter changed which meant gas being turned off. I’ve had problems lighting pilot light in the past, this time it won’t light at all. The igniter button is only clicking intermittently and then makes no clicking at all. Any idea what that could be?
Many thanks
I had a full service done on my basic back boiler last week was working perfect before service 5 days later and my pilot keeps going out when I knock my hot water off any ideas as I’m really worried and I have no money for new boiler ?
Baxi Bermuda 502 lean burn,boiler coated with white soot,hear it click to turn when turning thermostat dial from off to on,pilot light does not stay on and obviously boiler does not fire up,had this problem 20 years ago,thermocouple was replaced.
Just replaced today water pump as boiler kept on cutting out last few months,water pump stopped Woking last night too.i love my baxi 502, 30 years old.
My brother is having pilot light failure problems with his Baxi Bermuda.The gas valve,pilot light assembly,thermocouple and burner have been replaced by a Gas Safe engineer at a cost of over £500.00.The boiler was fine for about 2-3 months and now he’s back with the same problem.Could his problem be with the gas meter?ie loosing pressure.The Baxi is the only gas appliance he has.
My back boiler last week started to cut itself off after being on for about 40 minutes. But had no problems at the time getting the pilot light back on again. Called someone out who replaced the thermocouple which seemed to work over the weekend but now am back to square one and can’t now even get the pilot light on. Is it the gas valve?
Before suspecting the gas valve which is very reliable and expensive you should try the following first which is more likely to cure the problem.
Replace the thermocouple for a direct replacement according to the part number, avoid using the universal type.
Take the pilot light feed pipe loose and blow through it both ends to clear any partial blockage.
Fit a new injector pilot jet.
After all that check the pilot light it is likely you will have to adjust the pilot light screw to obtain a 25mm (1 inch) length flame that is mainly blue without a yellow tip, the pilot light should lap the last 10mm of the thermocouple tip approximately.
Check the thermocouple connection into the gas valve is tight.
Check the boiler main burn flame, after few minutes the flames should settle to bluish flames with some small orange tips due to burning of dust particles but no yellow flames, the tips of the flames should almost touch the bottom fins of the heat exchanger but not touch or lap them, if they do you need to reduce the pressure by adjusting the governor.
Should you still get the same problem only then suspect a faulty gas valve, however I have never had a faulty gas valve as they never seem to go.
The only other thing that can blow the pilot light out occasionally is a flue downdraught on a windy day or a vacuum cleaner exhaust blowing towards the fire front bottom.
The gas pressure input at the boiler should be adequate normally around 20mb.
Always refer to the boiler service manual which is available on line.
Only qualified gas or competent people with good knowledge of gas boiler servicing should carry out this work.
Remember to check for tightness gas (leakage), check flue & chimney, carry out a flue smoke bomb test & fire spillage test, make sure there is a working carbon monoxide alarm in the room.
Please help… muy mum has a 30yr old + baxi bermuda. HW and heating work fine on timer. She says when it’s on it keeps igniting every 2 mins. Is this normal.. she is very anxious about it as she seems to think it’s unusual… please help she’s driving us mad .. we have had valves replaced but she says it’s still doing it?
Did anyone advise you on this? Mine is doing the same
Please help , (old baxi back boiler system) When “hot water” is switched on both water & heating comes on but when “heating” is switched on , there”s nothing……..given the motorised valves a “wiggle” , etc. , any help appreciated………cheers cm
We have a Baxi Bermuda 552 as part of a fully vented system with pump and motorised 3 way valve to direct heating and/ or hot water.
I need to replace the room thermostat. Currently it is a T6060 with a switched live terminal 3…rating of 20(4) A & a terminal 4 rating of 6(4) A, although this terminal is not connected.
What would be a suitable (non LCD) simple replacement thermostat that is currently available??
Thanks
Hi. We have a Baxi Bermuda Inset 3 Boiler 50/5 which has been installed for about 14 years. Recently I have to keep resetting it and wonder if you could help with this matter? Our house insurance covered servicing & this was done but I was a little concerned when the engineer asked where the wall mounted boiler was. The boiler had been needing reset before the insurance servicing & I’m not blaming them in any way. I guess it’s a “get a qualified engineer for this type of boiler” Can you help to find one? Regards Jim.
Our back boiler is about 30 years old and still working. However after firing up starts to make a whining noise that comes and goes. Plumber called , did a few checks but didn’t have a clue.
My boiler lights, then shuts down after a couple of minutes, then restarts, this process repeats itself
Hello,
I wonder if you have any advice, my Baxi Bermuda BB15HE recently has developed an intermittent fault, it will run for a few days/hours and then it cuts out. I turn the switch/reset on the side on & off a few times and depending on it`s mood it will run for a few hours but then fails again which leaves me to go through the cycle once again. Any help would be much appreciated!
Bermuda boiler staying on even when programmer is not calling for heat or hot water only way of getting pump to stop is switching off at main switch any idea what could be problem?
Hi,I have a Baxi Bermuda inset 3 super ,but it won’t spark up,have had a gas man look at it and he says the burners need replacing,he wants £1,2oo for the work,am reluctant to pay this as I feel it’s extortionate,Lynn
I have a Bermuda baxi 551 I have power going to my control box but nothing is showing on the digital face so nothing works so got no central heating or hot water. can someone please help any suggestions what it could be thanks in advanced
Hi, I wonder if you can help me with some advise. I privately rent a house with a very old back boiler system.
I’m concerned because I have to regularly re decorate the longest due to walls ceilings window frames going grey. Recently I have noticed a taste /smell in the air even when the heating isn’t on. I’ve fitted a carbon monoxide detector but it hasn’t gone off. What advice can you offer?
With thanks.
My old ancient Baxi Bermuda boiler rarely gave me any problems except for having to manually light the pilot light when the weather was cold. Now I have the pilot light lit but no heating or hot water. When I turn the thermostat in the hall I can hear it through the fire but no change. I had the pump replaced in 2008 and all has been well until now. Could it be the pump again?? I can’t afford new heating, hope you can help.
Hi. Mine is the last comment above, any chance you can help me please. Thanks
Hi,My back boiler Baxi Bermuda inset 2 model 54/E,the hot water working perfect on/off the problem is the Heating hi don’t working anymore I did try everything, reset …complete dead!!!DO you know any idea about the problem pls Many Thanks
Back boiler Model. BAXI BERMUDA INSET 2 50/4 E switch on/of the hot water working perfect not problems at all… The problem is the Heating doesn’t working just dead..I did try a few time to reset the pilot but still the some!!!?Sorry you got any idea about the problem pls Many Thanks
when I turn the heating on the hot water also heats up
my baxi bermuda 401 is 25 years old but the gas is running low at the burner everything else is working ok the fire working ok please help
my baxi bermuda 401 is 25 years old never given any bother but now every thing working ok but the gas to the boiler is running low and only getting luke warm water please help