Energy efficient boiler for 4bed detached

ladywood

Hi

Have been browsing a while now and picking up some great information -thanks! We have just bought a 4 bed detached house and are in the process of modernising it. We want to replace the boiler but not the radiators if we can help it. The current boiler is a monster - free standing and about the size of a washing machine - currently in the kitchen. We have redesigned the kitchen and don't want it there - and we have not been impressed with it so far - it keeps switching off for no reason (not to a thermostat anyway). We also want to try to make the house as energy efficient as possible.

Can anyone recommend an efficient boiler suitable for a house of this size - and where would be the best place to put it - the choices are kitchen wall (would prefer not as it would be unsightly), upstairs office cupboard (this is a built in cupboard under the dormer which is above the kitchen - someone said having the boiler upstairs was better for water pressure?) or attic.

Also - noticed British Gas have an offer on boilers - British Gas Offer - is this worth looking at or will they be over the odds to start with?

Would welcome any advice!

Nile

Hello ladywood


Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

We have experts who regularly contribute to the boards. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer you advice.

Kind Regards

Nile

moneysavingplumber

http://www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/calculators/boilersizing/

The above link will enable to you select the right size boiler for your property, assuming that you are sticking with a 'regular' boiler as opposed to a combi.

The kitchen is the most practical place for the boiler. Many wall hung boilers will fit inside a standard wall unit and most now do not require ventilation, although some (usually the ones with stainless steel heat exchangers, which are far better in my opinion) are deeper than that although it is possible if you are designing the kitchen around the boiler to stand the unit and those alongside it off of the wall, and then buy the larger end panels to accommodate.

Boilers in upstairs rooms is best avoided, as if it is eventually converted back into a bedroom most people don't wish to share their room with a gas boiler, and it is considered a last option.

The attic is possible, although it will put at least 10-30% cost onto the job because of changes that will need to be made to the loft to comply with regulations, extra pipe work, frost protection (although on some boilers this is included) and in the abscence of a gable end to put a horizontal flue through, vertical flueing costs. It can be difficult to dispose of the condensate from a roof if there isn't a soil vent pipe passing through the loft also.

I would recommend that you try and get some names of local self-employed Corgi registered plumbers that are recommended by friends/neighbours, and get a few quotes that way. Most will almost certainly be cheaper than BG and, in my opinion, you are likely to get a better job for your money.

I personally would recommend the Alpha CDR range and the Vaillant Ecomax Pro range.

http://www.alpha-boilers.co.uk/products/CD13R.html

http://www.vaillant.co.uk/folder.php?folder_default_tree=10324-10330-10473&folder_default_netfolderID=10473

alanobrien

Sounds like you doing eactly what we did this time last year. Its worth getting BG to quote just to see how much you will save when you find a good local corgi engineer to do the job for you.

My experience is you will save a lot on BG prices and may even get a better job done. Ask friends for references on local gas fitters they have used.

Failing that, follow this link, put in your post code and it will provide you with a list of local corgi engineers.

http://www.corgi-gas-safety.com/section_gas_law/about_installer_find_installer.asp

ladywood

Many thanks for your advice - will see if I can find some recommendations from local friends. And thanks for the helpful links! :T

inmypocketnottheirs

Also to find a vetted plumber you could look on the Guild of Master Craftsmen web site at https://www.findacraftsman.com