gas usage/inefficient boiler?

hotcookie101

Hi,
I have a Halsted quattro gold boiler (combi) I know its really crap We really can't afford to change it, but I think we are using OBSCENE amounts of gas. We have no heating on at the moment, and in the last two weeks have used 9 units (m3) of gas-just for hot water :eek:
I think last year our annual kwh was 2-3 times higher than national average:eek::eek:
We have a 3 bed 1930s semi, double glazed, no cavity wall insulation (I think not anyway, am going to get quotes for it to be put in I think) there is a loft conversion which has no CH(but presumably to get bulding regs approval would have had to be properly insulated etc), and we dont really use tbh. So all in all house has 3 double rads (downstairs) one small single rad(hall) and two single rads upstairs.
Am trying to teach OH that we do not need to wear only tshirts in winter (i HATE being too hot) ! But I dont think it is just down to that I figure the boiler is rubbish and needs replacing?

Can anyone give me an idea of costs for fitting a good condensing combi boiler in N essex? The rads are all in good condition so I dont think we need to replace them. I have heard valiant boilers are the best-is that correct?
Do you think that it would be worth spending the money on a new boiler? (would probably have to come from an ISA, savings pretty poor at the moment
cheers

moncman

Here's a thought.

We also have an inefficient gas boiler which we use for central heating and hot water.

Inefficient not only means heat out the flue but ours actually gives off so much heat that we do not have a radiator in the room its situated in.

In summer hot water is produced by burning gas - heating the water (obviously) heating the room (not required) - heating chimney and atmosphere (definately not required) - heating pipes carrying water to tank and all cavities on route (also not required).

Immersion heater on the other hand puts all its energy into a heating element in the tank (like a kettle).

We have economy7 so the Immersion heater on for a hour before 8am is actually cheaper than heating by gas.

Gas goes up by 35% Electric by 9%

Heating by Immersion Heater at night suddenly becomes a good idea.

hotcookie101

We don't have a hot water tank, and therefore no immersion (also don't have E7 but that is another thing) so we can only use the boiler

moncman

Halsted quattro gold boiler (combi)

Sorry should have spotted the combi bit...obviously no tank.

Anyway if anyone else is interested, efficient use of electric might be the way forward - just like those 1950s American families of the future. "Nice clean safe Nuclear energy for all" :rolleyes:

on_a_money_mission

Hi,

We were in a similar position 3 bed semi, double glazed but no cavity to put insulation in, cold house high bills etc but had our decision made for us when our old boiler packed in. We opted for a condensing boiler which was installed last September.

The house is warmer in winter (even with same rads) as the old boiler wasn't powerful enough to heat the house properly anyway. We had our controls swapped out so it's easier to programme the system to only heat when necessary, and the bills came down from £60 for gas pcm to £45 pcm. I do swap suppliers regularly but useage came down anyway. I've noticed a bigger difference in last week's bill which was just for hot water essentially. It was £74 for the quarter.

This is probably due to a combination of more efficient boiler, better controls and a new thermostat on the hot water tank which is set at 55 celsius both for safety and economy. The old system had no thermostat on the tank which meant that when the hot water was on it could end up virtually boiling.

We had our loft lagged last week which should also make this winter warmer hopefully.

Now for the cost:

£2100 for the new boiler, flue and controls (we had to have some rewiring done too so that upped the cost slightly)

Lagging the loft cost £278, although we are supposed to be getting a rebate on our council tax for this of £120.

Major draughtproofing of doors and windows - the foam strips are only a couple of quid.

We've also switched one of the rooms to carpet, and I use black out linings on most of the curtains, which helps keep the heat in too.

I don't think you can expect the cost of fitting a new boiler to pay for itself, as they are expected to only last for 12 years anyway, but I think a combination of improved insulation and better heating helps you to stop going blue come November .

HTH