what gets replaced with a new boiler?

mrs_baggins

Ha obviously the boiler!! what about all the other bits and bobs ? are these all add ons? I am still looking into replacing like for like boiler but just with a condensing type, will still have hot water tank etc. There are bits on the tank which are something to do with boiler- sorry, you can see I am a bit vague here- some kind of little box thing with a switch on that seems to be ticking!!! Are these generally replaced too? The room thermostat seems ok and so does the timer switch

EliteHeat

Just the boiler, unless you want the other bits changed as well.

AlwaysSomething

Have you considered a combi-boiler? I did away with my hot water tank, so I'm not paying to heat water unless I need it. I have a powerful hot shower, and the bath fills up quickly.
A combi is good if several people want a bath one after another (never runs out).
A tank is good if several people want hot water at the same time (you are limited to mains pressure, so if everyone turns on a tap at once, you are sharing the hot water supply)
A tank is good if you have frequent power cuts (combi leaves you without hot water!)
Combi is much cheaper to run - why keep a tank of hot water just losing heat all the time.

You can use new or old pipes, new or old radiators, and new or old plumbing. Could be a problem with your gas main - it has to be sufficient diameter to supply the new boiler, which will likely be more powerful than your old one. Might need a 22mm gas pipe. Might only have a 15mm one - just possible. If that's the case, it's a question of how easy it is to route a new gas pipe through your house.

mrs_baggins

I did think about a combi but for various reasons decided against it so just am thinking of a new boiler

AlwaysSomething

I forgot to mention one new pipe. A condensing boiler takes steam which used to escape up the flue, and turns it into water, which then has to drain. So you may need a new hole in your house, or some new plumbing to the drain pipe. I ended up needing a pump because of the location of my boiler.