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Should not be considered if you are putting in a complete central heating system. Even if you just want to change your existing back boiler, fitting a different type of boiler on a fully pumped system will probably be no more expensive than changing the back boiler and flue liner, and would reduce the running costs
Back boilers are fitted at the back of gas fires. (Hence the name) They are made from cast iron and are a legacy from a time when the house's water was heated by a coal fire. With the advent of “smokeless zones” and the increasing popularity of gas fires, it was a relatively easy job to fit a gas back boiler (circulator). These just heated water for the taps and had a gas fire in front. For a little more expense you could put in a back boiler (a) gravity system with a high proportion fitted to a primatic cylinder
Because these boilers are fitted behind fires they are "open flue", so Must have an air vent fitted. This lets in fresh air from outside to replace the fumes that go up the flue. These tend to be draughty and noisy. If faults develop with the ventilation, flue or boiler itself, poisonous, and potentially lethal fumes could leak into the room.
Advantages
Space saving
Reliable
Disadvantages
Expensive to Install / run
Draughty, as they need a permanent air vent
Noisy
Limited choice of fire
Not allowed to be installed after 2005