Back Boiler Replacement Bristol & Bath
Time to Replace Your Back Boiler?
We Make It Simple
Expert back boiler removal and modern boiler installation for homes across Bristol and Bath. L&P replaces old, inefficient back boilers with reliable, energy-efficient modern systems – with minimal disruption and a clear, honest price.
What Is a Back Boiler?
Back boilers were installed behind gas fires in millions of UK homes from the 1960s through to the 1980s. Hidden behind a decorative fascia in the fireplace, they heated both your hot water and your radiators – and at the time, they were a perfectly reasonable solution.
That time has passed.
Back boilers are now significantly less efficient than modern condensing boilers, typically operating at around 55–65% efficiency compared to 90%+ for a modern A-rated boiler. They’re expensive to run, increasingly difficult to get parts for, and when they fail – which they do, usually without much warning – replacement is unavoidable.
If you still have a back boiler, it’s not a question of whether to replace it. It’s a question of when – and whether you do it on your own terms or in an emergency.
The hidden costs of keeping it Every year a back boiler runs instead of a modern condensing boiler, it costs you more in gas than it should. For a typical Bristol home, upgrading to a modern boiler can reduce heating bills noticeably – and the saving compounds year on year.
Get a Free, No-Obligation Quote To Replace your Back Boiler
- – Up to 12 Years Manufacturer’s Warranty*
- – 0% Finance Available
- – Clear, transparent pricing
We provide honest advice and detailed quotes so you can make an informed decision – with no pressure and no hidden costs.
Our Bristol-based team will assess your home and recommend the right boiler for your needs.
Why Replace Now?
- Parts are running out – Back boilers haven’t been manufactured since 1998. Parts are increasingly scarce. When something fails, repair may simply not be possible.
- You’re paying more than you should – At 55–65% efficiency, a significant proportion of the gas you pay for is being wasted. A modern boiler running at 90%+ efficiency is a meaningful saving every single month.
- Repairs are getting expensive – The older a back boiler gets, the more frequently it needs attention and the harder it is to source components. Repair costs are rising while reliability is falling.
- It’s holding your home back – Back boilers and their associated gas fires take up significant space in your living room. Removing the system frees up the fireplace area entirely, giving you options for how to use that wall.
- Mortgage and insurance complications – Some lenders and insurers are increasingly cautious about properties with back boiler systems. Replacing it removes any potential complications.
- Environmental impact – A more efficient boiler means lower gas consumption and lower carbon emissions for the same level of heating and hot water.
0% Finance Available
A new boiler is a significant investment – we make it affordable.
- Interest-free options available
- Flexible repayment terms
- Quick application process
- No hidden fees
Finance available from £22.39 per month
What's Involved in a Back Boiler Replacement
Back boiler replacement is more involved than a standard boiler swap – but L&P handles every stage of the process so you don’t have to coordinate multiple trades.
1. Free Survey and Quote We visit your home, assess your current system, discuss your hot water and heating needs and recommend the most suitable modern boiler. We provide a clear, itemised quote with no hidden charges.
2. Back Boiler and Fire Removal We safely disconnect and remove the existing back boiler unit and gas fire fascia. All gas work is carried out by our Gas Safe registered engineers.
3. Flue and Fireplace Work The old flue is decommissioned and made safe. We can advise on options for the fireplace opening – from capping and plastering to installing a new decorative surround.
4. New Boiler Installation We install your new modern condensing boiler in a suitable location – most commonly in the kitchen, utility room or airing cupboard. We connect it to your existing radiator system and hot water cylinder or install a new combi system as appropriate.
5. System Flush and Commission We carry out a full system flush to remove sludge and debris from the existing pipework, protecting the new boiler and optimising efficiency. The system is then commissioned and fully tested.
6. Handover We register the boiler with the manufacturer, notify Building Control on your behalf and walk you through how to use your new system before we leave.
Which Boiler Is Right for You?
Save Up to £340 Per Year on Energy Bills
Combi Boiler
The most popular choice for modern homes. A combi boiler provides heating and instant hot water without the need for a separate hot water cylinder or cold water tank. Ideal for smaller to medium-sized homes with one bathroom.
- No cylinder required – frees up significant
- Cupboard or airing space
- Instant hot water on demand
- Compact and wall-mounted
- Lower installation cost than system boilers in most cases
System Boiler
A system boiler works with a separate hot water cylinder, making it better suited to larger homes or properties with multiple bathrooms where simultaneous hot water demand is higher.
- Better suited to larger households
- Hot water stored ready for use – good flow rates even with multiple outlets
- Compatible with solar thermal systems
- Cylinder can be installed in loft or airing cupboard
Which is right for my home? We’ll advise on the best option for your property during the free survey – taking into account the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, occupants and your existing pipework.
What Happens to the Fireplace?
This is one of the most common questions we get. When the back boiler and gas fire are removed, you’re left with a fireplace opening and an old flue – and a decision to make about what to do with the space.
Options include:
- Cap and board – The opening is sealed, plastered and made good, leaving a flat wall ready for decorating. A cost-effective option if you want to reclaim the wall space entirely.
- Decorative surround – Install a new non-functional fireplace surround for aesthetic effect, with the opening sealed behind it. Keeps the look of a fireplace without the complexity.
- Log burner or electric fire – The opening can be adapted for a wood burning stove or an electric fire insert, giving you a feature fireplace that still has a purpose.
- Leave the opening – Some customers choose to leave the fireplace opening exposed and use it for display or storage. We’ll make the surround and flue safe regardless.
We can advise on the best approach for your room and carry out or coordinate the finishing work as part of the overall project.
The Benefits of Upgrading
- Reliable, consistent heating – Modern boilers are more reliable and far easier to service than ageing back boilers. You’re far less likely to face an unexpected breakdown.
- Lower gas bills – Moving from a 60% efficient back boiler to a 92%+ efficient modern condensing boiler is a significant efficiency gain that shows up in your bills.
- Better hot water – Modern systems deliver faster, more consistent hot water throughout your home. No more lukewarm showers or waiting for the tank to heat up.
- Smart controls – New boilers are compatible with smart thermostats and heating controls, giving you precise, programmable control over your heating and hot water from your phone.
- Reclaim your living space – Removing the back boiler and gas fire frees up your fireplace wall entirely, giving you genuine options for how to use the space.
- Warranty and compliance – A new boiler comes with a manufacturer warranty, is installed to current building regulations and is notified to Building Control on your behalf.
Why Choose L&P Heating to Replace Your Back Boiler
- Gas Safe registered engineers – all gas work fully compliant
- Free survey and honest, itemised quote Full back boiler removal and disposal included
- New boiler supply and installation
- System power flush included
- Building Control notification handled on your behalf
- Manufacturer warranty registration included
- Advice on fireplace options at no extra charge
- Clean, professional installation with minimal disruption
- Covering Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas
Request Your Free Boiler Quote Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost depends on the boiler specified, the complexity of the installation and any additional work required around the fireplace or pipework. We provide a full written quote following your free survey – clear pricing, no surprises.
Most back boiler replacements are completed in one to two days. The first day typically covers removal and preparation; the second covers installation and commissioning. We’ll give you a clear timeframe when we quote.
Yes, though your heating and hot water will be off during the installation period. We aim to restore heating and hot water as quickly as possible and will keep you informed throughout.
Yes – boiler installation is notifiable work under Building Regulations. We handle this on your behalf as part of the installation, providing you with a completion certificate.
Get in touch as soon as possible. We’ll prioritise emergency situations where we can and advise on the fastest route to getting your heating restored.
Don't wait for your back boiler to let you down. Replace it on your terms.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for back boiler removal and modern boiler installation across Bristol and Bath. Honest advice, professional installation, guaranteed results.
We are Gas Safe registered
L & P Heating Services Ltd takes gas safety seriously. All our engineers are on the Gas Safe Register and will have their official identity card when you ask to see it. Gas Safe Register is the official gas safety organisation in Great Britain.
It replaced CORGI on 1st April 2009. Gas Safe Register is responsible for the registration and regulation of gas engineers. Membership is mandatory for any company or engineer working with gas appliances.
If you would like to find out more about Gas Safe Register you can call 0800 408 5500 or visit the Gas Safe Register website.
We are OFTEC registered
OFTEC is the Oil Fired Technical Association. They are recognised by the Government, oil companies, heating appliance and tank manufacturers as being the acceptable trade body in technician training & assessment for the domestic heating, oil distribution and commercial oil firing industry.
For the oil industry in England and Wales, OFTEC registered technicians are the only people defined as competent and able to self-certify their work without the need for informing the local building control department.
If you would like to find out more about OFTEC you can call 01473 626298 or visit the website.