Condensing boilers breaking down in cold weather
Hotgossip
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Just been reading about all the condensing boilers which are breaking down in this very cold weather.
Thousands apparently. The pipe at the back of the boiler which takes waste water is freezing up.
I have had to apologise to my DH because when we had a new boiler a few years ago I said we should have a condensing one because they were supposed to be so wonderful. After speaking to a few people in the trade, he decided not and the conventional one we have has been no trouble at all.
Thousands apparently. The pipe at the back of the boiler which takes waste water is freezing up.
I have had to apologise to my DH because when we had a new boiler a few years ago I said we should have a condensing one because they were supposed to be so wonderful. After speaking to a few people in the trade, he decided not and the conventional one we have has been no trouble at all.
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I *Think* you have to have a condensing boiler (when having a new one installed) in residential properties now, the regulations changed. Not 100% though...
www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1342357/Central-heating-break-big-freeze-Heres-.html
But apparently the last government pushed them like they were the best thing since sliced bread yet they dont last very long it seems .
I do seem to have found a solution now, the waste pipe wasn't at an angle therefore water was standing at the bottom of the pipe. I've now got the pipe on an angle and have had no problems since.
tbh the daily mail usually does have some good articles, its only when they have opinion pieces where they let themselves down
Yes you're right. Fortunately when we had a new one we still had the choice and (fingers crossed;)) it should last us a good few years yet.
Interestingly, a family member had a new boiler installed last summer and she says that her house has been nowhere near as warm since then. I know it's been exceptionally cold this last month but she means all the autumn months too,
Ours has died this week - will I have to have a combi then? Was hoping to just have it replaced with a similar one.
Do you currently have a combi boiler?
No, I dont think you have to have a combi, you can replace your current one with a normal boiler. when you purchase it, they will tell you what regulations you have to meet...
It will still have to be a condensing boiler though, whether its a combi or not... Heres the new regs...
http://davidkearns.co.uk/buildingregs.php
My landlord arranged for a new boiler to be fitted a year or so ago, the pipes run indoors to the waste pipe part of which does go outside. The outside section is lagged with thick foam and placed at an angle straight into the sewer drain outside so no standing water to freeze up. Haven't had an issue either this Winter nor last.
Running the condense pipe outside is usually the cheapest option ,the alternative could be pumps,removing laminate ,tiled floors and kitchen units all of which push up costs.
The best placed boilers are those in utility rooms with access to internal drainage,water services and heating pipes.
Parts are no more expensive than traditional combi's and the hot water performance on these boilers is far better than older combi's.
I must reiterate these boilers must be installed onto clean systems or they will rot from the inside out.
The only reason it's outside is because the pipes are the old dishwasher pipes. One day, when we sort out that part of the kitchen, the pipework will be moved to run along the inside of the house, just as the plumber recommended.
Those with external condensate drains should look into getting it re-routed indoors ideally. Failing that, replace the section of pipe outdoors with a bigger bore and insulate it. I don't think that such changes even require a gas-safe/corgi registered engineer. A regular plumber, handyman or even a good DIYer can do that but I am ready to be corrected on that?
Put some of that foam pipe insulation round the pipe outside that will stop freezing in normal winter weather.
It is not always possible to run the pipe inside the house. When the older boilers were installed the location of them in the vicinity of a drainage system did not arise.
I can verify that a condensing boiler is far more economical and efficient and will certainly save power costs. But then saying that while your old boiler keeps working just keep it as to replace it will cost several hundred pounds, so even if it is not so efficient why replace something which still works OK.
My old boiler gave me over 30 years of service and I have no doubt in my mind that the one I had installed last year which was by no means the cheapest model on the market but the more expensive type will not last me 30 years.
It's a good boiler but nothing made these days is built to last, be it a car, cooker, toaster, boiler or a bicycle.
Essentially, it is now running on half power, which means it's even cheaper, and hopefully the circuit board that controls the boiler won't succumb to the heat as easily - a known problem with the low end boilers such as Ideal Isar models.
Ian.
I've asked my plumber about replacing my 25 year old Stelrad gas boiler and he basically said don't bother, as it's very reliable, more so than many modern boilers.
It copes just fine with supplying 9 radiators via a Grundfos circulation pump, 2 showers and hot water to 8 sinks/washbasins in this HMO (rented accommodation).
In additional to there being 6 gas cookers in the house, 2 large water tanks in the loft (which are now doubly lagged), you can imagine how complicated the plumbing system is here.
i wouldn`t know what it`s like in the cold weather, it doesn`t seem to keen.