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Worth it going from regular boiler to combi boiler ?
I'm getting tired of my boiler, it breaks down every 3 years and its always the fan which costs around £250 for a replacement.
I've been researching boilers and I currently use a regular boiler with cylinder and is it worth going to a combi system ?
What is a good boiler brand. My plumber favours Worcester Boch so I am thinking of the "Greenstar 30CDi Classic Regular" is it any good. I want something that lets me control the hot water temperature.
I've been researching boilers and I currently use a regular boiler with cylinder and is it worth going to a combi system ?
What is a good boiler brand. My plumber favours Worcester Boch so I am thinking of the "Greenstar 30CDi Classic Regular" is it any good. I want something that lets me control the hot water temperature.
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On the other hand the Potterton Boiler we have at home has struggled from just after the guarantee ran out. Basically it does not work with the casing on. Take all the casing off and its ok. It has corrosion on the board terminals so they have to be cleaned occasionally. Its to clever for its own good though and does a number of checks before even firing up. If anything is wrong then it does not start but it does not tell you what the problem is it just has a red light on and you have to guess.
Combi boilers heat the water as you need it and you don't have any hot water tank. So the airing cupboard does not get warm. You get mains pressure hot water so showers work better. They are far more complicated and more expensive than a normal boiler and you will also need your pipework altering.
If the old one is working apart from the fan then fix the fan .. But don't think I would be paying £250 for the job. You can get the gas board out cheaper than that.
Personally I wouldn't want a combi, too much hassle, and anyway we've got a decent hot water tank in an airing cupboard. You must already have a hot water tank so what's the point of a combi?
Get 3 quotes from different plumbers and see what they suggest.
My neighbour put in a combi and British Gas came so many times to try to fix his central heating that they declined to renew his Homecare agreement! We are in a very hard water area.
I'd also suggest you stay clear of a combi if you want to use more than one hot tap at once. Otherwise they are great for single bathroom homes.
By comparison, my old boiler which was virtually a museum piece but basically pretty much shot through age, only needed an igniter replacing.....which cost just six quid!
Just google "system boiler".
Worcester are my personal favorites. Easy to work on and reliable. I wonder at the charging of a fan every three years when, if it is serviced properly, it should last much longer. I'd suggest your plumber knows he is on to a winner and doesn't bother.
Not really. In my experience any modern boiler breaks down with a similar frequency to another. Most important factors are the make of the boiler and the quality of the installation.
You have a boiler that you have taken all the casing off, and you're happy with that?
As a heating engineer you should know that a larger combi can cope no problem with multiple taps being used at once.
This. Only go to a combi if you want it's advantages and are willing to settle for its disadvantages.
No. Only condensing boilers. It doesn't have to be a combi. Both combi's and system boilers are condensing these days.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_PTL_GASHEATADVICE.pdf
There are only two of us, so a combi makes more sense than a system boiler. Heating up the who tank just to wash a couple of pots and pans, does seem a waste.
I'll say it again, I wouldn't have a COMBI as a gift. My advice stick with Cylinder and have an airing cupboard.
why?
Quite a few people say they wouldnt want a combi. However no one gives any valid reason as to why.
I would have thought for a two person house, a combi would be cheaper to run. You then take out insurance, and that will cover any problems with the boiler.
Cheeky question alert. I'm moving to a new house soon. It has a Ferrolli (combi I think). Are they any good or am I looking at future troubles. As I understand it the vendors recently had it installed so it's practically new.
Back on topic.....
I currently have a Worc Bosch 240 combi. Had it for years on a BG support contract. One valve issue but otherwise it's been fine. The radiator valves are rubbish though. Tey seem to perish and break off with alarming regularity and in no way control the temp of the rads.
:eek: Blimey - you get through some gas!!
Cheeky question alert. I'm moving to a new house soon. It has a Ferrolli (combi I think). Are they any good or am I looking at future troubles. As I understand it the vendors recently had it installed so it's practically new.
Back on topic.....
I currently have a Worc Bosch 240 combi. Had it for years on a BG support contract. One valve issue but otherwise it's been fine. The radiator valves are rubbish though. Tey seem to perish and break off with alarming regularity and in no way control the temp of the rads.
Ive decided to stay with the a regular cylinder system, having used combi at my sisters house a couple of times I dont like it.
Anyone know what a straight swap with a "Worcester Greenstar 30CDi Classic Regular" would set me back ?
They don't have really negative reviews. I have a Vokera that are supposed to be crap but has been trouble free for nearly 9 years.
You can buy one for under £1k but your plumber can probably get a discount, I hope he is gas safe registered. You would then have to pay for the labour.
I've also got a Vaillant Ecotec Plus (not sure of the exact model number). It occasionally needs the water pressure adjusting manually but otherwise it never causes any problems at all.
Even so, our whole job cost over £6,000. But that was for a Greenstar 40 CDI with low loss header, magaclean filter, two heating zones, new thermostats and a new radiator.
Don't just ask your current plumber, get other estimates to compare prices (estimates are free).
I much prefer the old fashioned way of heating up a tank - with a back up immersion heater. If the tank is well lagged it should keep the heat in and be reasonably efficient. I miss being able to turn on a tap - at full flow - and get properly instant hot water. Those airing cupboards were useful too.
As a single householder, were it not for the combi, it would probably pay me to have a water meter. But with the amount of time I have to leave taps running, it would probably cost me more.
Combis - not as green as they are touted to be.
Sometimes it's the little things that are annoying.
Such as losing the cold water tank in the loft - which means that (in the winter) ice-cold water is going straight from the mains into the bathroom cistern.
Result?
Absolutely dripping with condensation...