Your heating engineer told you that your boiler is condemned, and you’re not sure what that means and what to do next – This blog is for you. Let’s dive in!
What is a condemned boiler?
A condemned boiler is a boiler that has been deemed unsafe for operation due to faults or defects that can’t be fixed. It is often the result of a boiler inspection (by a Gas Safe engineer) that determines the boiler is no longer fit for service.
In a nutshell, condemned boilers are broken boilers which can be dangerous to use, and their fault should be addressed immediately.
Hearing that your boiler is condemned can be stressful, especially when you need to sort out a quick replacement boiler. We’re here to help make the process quick and easy, just answer a few questions, and we’ll advise you on the best boiler for your home.
Condemned boiler types
Here’s where it gets a bit technical, there are two types of condemned boilers; Immediately Dangerous (ID) and At Risk (AR) boilers. ‘What’s the difference?’ you might ask.
a. Immediately Dangerous (ID)
The most serious category of them all is Immediately Dangerous (ID). An ‘Immediately Dangerous’ boiler has serious issues which can pose a threat to life if you continue to use it.
If the heating engineer deems your boiler to be Immediately Dangerous (ID), they’ll disconnect it immediately and advise you not to use it until the problem is fixed.
If you refuse to let the heating engineer disconnect your boiler for some reason, the engineer will have no option but to report the issue to the Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP).
In that case, the ESP can forcibly enter the property (by law) to make the conditions safe or even disconnect the gas supply.
b. At Risk (AR)
If the Gas Safe engineer deemed your boiler to be At Risk (AR), it means that they’ve found at least one issue which could potentially pose a threat to life or the property.
Just like the case with the Immediately Dangerous (ID) boilers, the engineer will disconnect the At Risk (AR) boiler and advise you not to use it until the issue is resolved.
Although AR boilers don’t pose an immediate threat at the present time, they don’t meet the heating industry standard.
ESP Visit
If a gas leak is suspected in the property, a Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP) engineer will visit the property to investigate, and if they can’t confirm definitively that the boiler is safe, they could give a ‘Danger Do Not Use’ label.
If this happens, you’ll have to call a Gas Safe registered engineer to check it over and confirm it’s safe to use again – and, of course, don’t use the boiler until it’s declared safe by the engineer.
What’s the difference between a condemned boiler and a BER boiler?
A condemned boiler and a beyond economical repair (BER) boiler are terms used to describe boilers that are no longer safe or effective to use and need replacement. However, there is a subtle difference between the two terms;
A condemned boiler refers to a unit that has been deemed unsafe and beyond repair due to serious issues such as structural defects, corrosion, or other hazards. A boiler can be condemned by a Gas Safe Engineer, and it’s a serious matter that should be addressed immediately.
A beyond economical repair (BER) boiler, on the other hand, refers to a boiler that may still be working but is outdated, inefficient, or costly to repair and maintain.
In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace a BER boiler with a new, more efficient unit rather than repairing the current one.
Next steps…
First things first, try not to panic even though it’s easier said than done.
If a heating engineer confirms that there is no danger once the boiler stays disconnected, it’s time to call a Gas Safe engineer to have a look at your boiler and fix it.
Take a look at the heating engineer’s note to decide for yourself whether it’s worth repairing the boiler or replacing it.
In some cases, repairing the boiler might cost you a significant amount of money – in fact, it can be a false economy, and there isn’t a guarantee that it won’t stop working again in the near future.
On the flip side, replacing your boiler can be expensive, but when you get a new boiler, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that your boiler is under warranty/guarantee and it will last for many years.
We advise you to shop around to find the best boiler for your home, although we are certain that you won’t find a better deal than WarmZilla – if you happen to find a cheaper quote elsewhere, let us know, and we’ll beat it by £50. With WarmZilla, you can get a tailored boiler quote in less than 2 minutes when you answer a few questions.
Replace your boiler to save money £££
It may sound odd or even counterintuitive that getting a new boiler will save you money in the long run! Here’s the explanation – new boilers are more energy efficient, which means less energy will be wasted when the boiler is heating your home and water. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save up to £840 a year by upgrading your old inefficient boiler to an A-rated boiler, which typically operates at 90% and over energy efficiency.
Note – Figures are based on fuel prices as of October 2022.
Boiler replacement options
If you’re looking for a reliable budget boiler, we recommend the Worcester Bosch 2000 series, the scaled-down younger sibling of the Worcester Bosch 8000 series. Sure, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the 8000 series, but it’s a very reliable boiler from a top manufacturer – which means you’ll get excellent aftercare and build quality.
The Ideal Logic range is also a great option if you don’t want to spend much on a new boiler. It’s reliable and efficient and comes with an impressive 8-year warranty. If you’re shopping around for a new boiler, we advise using the WarmZilla boiler comparison tool. This cool tool lets you select up to 3 boilers you want to compare and shows you key stats side by side.
Want to read more independent reviews about the best combi boilers, best system boilers and best conventional boilers in 2023? Take a look at these blogs.
Boiler finance options
You can buy a new boiler through various finance options, although some are easier to secure than others! Here are the boiler options available to you:
- Loans: you can get a loan from the bank or other financial institution to buy a new boiler. This option typically involves making monthly payments over an agreed term. Going down that route is not recommended as it can be timely and difficult to secure.
- Financing: Boiler finance is the most popular payment option. With WarmZilla, you can spread the cost interest-free (0% APR) over 24 months or up to 10 years (11.9% APR) if you want to get those monthly payments right down. The monthly repayments on your boiler finance plan will depend on the length of term finance you select, the boiler you choose, and the deposit amount you choose to pay. When you take our boiler survey, you’ll be able to look at the boiler finance options that suit you and change the down payment amount to ensure that the monthly payments suit your budget. Even if you have bad credit, our boiler finance providers have a high acceptance rate. Contact our support team to learn more about your available finance options and how we could help.
- Leasing: Boilers can also be leased, with the lease payments covering the cost of the equipment over the lease term. At the end of the lease, you may have the option to buy the boiler, return it, or renew the lease agreement.
Why choose WarmZilla?
We’ve got a range of options that will suit any home. No matter how big or small your house is.
Our team is knowledgeable and experienced; they can provide advice and support to help you pick the perfect boiler.
Our customers love us! Check out our excellent rating on Trustpilot.
When you buy a new or replacement boiler with WarmZilla, your boiler package will include;
- Your chosen boiler, along with the necessary flue kit needed for your central heating system
- Installation by a qualified Gas Safe Engineer
- Removal of your old boiler and parts
- A FREE system cleanse of your central heating system
- Chemical Inhibitor for added protection for your new boiler
- 10-year guarantee, which will be registered by WarmZilla after installation
- A FREE magnetic system filter for ongoing protection
- The Neomitis RF Digital Wireless Room Thermostat
FAQs
Unfortunately, a condemned boiler can’t be fixed – it’s considered dangerous for use and must be replaced immediately.
Attempting to repair a condemned boiler is not recommended as it may pose a safety hazard – so do not fiddle with the broken boiler yourself as it is illegal to take the cover off a boiler if you are not a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Selling a house with a condemned boiler can be difficult, as it may affect the sale and/or value of the property. A condemned boiler may be a safety hazard and may not meet local building codes and regulations, making it a potential liability for the seller.
Sometimes, a potential buyer may require the seller to repair or replace the condemned boiler before closing the sale. In other cases, the buyer may walk away from the sale or offer a lower price for the property because the boiler is condemned.
It’s crucial to address any issues with a condemned boiler before listing the property.
