Plumbing question - which plumber is giving us best/right advice ?

jonhoggy

Hi folks

we are in the process of updating a property

ive gone to two plumbers for quotes to install a new central heating boiler and plumbing for a new bathroom and shower

Plumber Mr A says they are phasing out combi-boilers as they are unreliable and generally only last 7 years. The new preferred system will be a high pressure cyclinder with condensing boiler.

Plumber Mr B says that is news to him, he says combi's are here to stay and they are getting better every year. He says a high pressure system like Mega-Flow would suit a large property, but would not be cost effective to run in a 3 bed house with one bathroom.



Any comments on above ? Advice would be welcomed !

paulspx

hi combination boilers are here to stay
they are great for flats (they were originally designed for flats)
it would be easier and cheaper to install a combi.
for a 3 bed house i would definitely go for a heat only boiler with hot water
storage.
i hope this helps

mikey72

Depends on you really.
Combi's are good for heating, and some occasional hot water use. The supply of water is unlimited, but the flow is resticted. If you are running a bath, it'll use all the water available from the boiler, if someone else turns on the kitchen tap, you'll have to share the flow. Same applies to a shower, the flow will decrease.
The pressurised hot water system is great, until the tank of hot water runs out. But the flow is usually good no matter how many taps you turn on, (until it goes cold)
I put a combi in for a two bedroomed terrace, no room for a hot water tank, one bathroom, my mate is having the full pressurised system for a 5 bed detached, with three bathrooms, and he'll get the airing cupboard for the towels.

Pssst

There are valid points in both statements.

Combi's are not being "phased out",they are simply evolving into more efficient devices which are high efficiency condensing combis which are more sophisticated. The very latest developements involve boilers with mini CHP capabilities which can generate around 1Kw/h of electric as well as heat/hot water.

It really depends on how big the house is and what the likely hot water demand might be.

Is there anything already installed and if so,what?

Steve_xx

Pssst wrote: »

There are valid points in both statements.

Combi's are not being "phased out",they are simply evolving into more efficient devices which are high efficiency condensing combis which are more sophisticated. The very latest developements involve boilers with mini CHP capabilities which can generate around 1Kw/h of electric as well as heat/hot water.

It really depends on how big the house is and what the likely hot water demand might be.

Is there anything already installed and if so,what?

CHP? What does it mean?

debbie42

Steve_xx wrote: »

CHP? What does it mean?

Combined Heat and Power.

I used to deal with it at large commercial installations in an old job. I hadn't realised it was viable in the domestic environment now.:o

Steve_xx

Ok thanks for the reply.

So then, there are available combis that somehow whilst heating water can generate electricity? So what generates the electricity and is it stored somewhere, like in a battery?

Canucklehead

Hi

All you need to know about the Baxi Ecogen
I first heard about domestic CHPs in the 90s under the name Whispergen (developed by the Kiwis).
BG has an exclusive deal with Baxi to supply and fit.

To the OP: a combi (and an unvented cylinder) would require sufficient mains flow and pressure....has either RGI measured these?

HTH

Corgi Guy

moneysavingplumber

An unvented cylinder may be your best option if, as Canucklehead has pointed out, your water pressure and flow-rate are adequate and you have the necessary storage space. However, Plumber Mr A is either grossly misinformed or a lying muppet, so I would give him a wide berth either way.

jonhoggy

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi

All you need to know about the Baxi Ecogen
I first heard about domestic CHPs in the 90s under the name Whispergen (developed by the Kiwis).
BG has an exclusive deal with Baxi to supply and fit.

To the OP: a combi (and an unvented cylinder) would require sufficient mains flow and pressure....has either RGI measured these?

HTH

Corgi Guy

thanks for the responses

you'll have to bear with me as my diy/plumbing knowledge is pants
we havent measured the existing mains pressure/flow

i remember that plumber A was quoting a Baxi Solo boiler and plumber B a Baxi Platinum h.e.3

we intend to locate the boiler in the loft and operate it via wireless controller
i assume if we dont go for a cylinder the pressure (for say a shower) will be from water pressure

from the tank above (in the loft) or by electric if we have a pump installed ?
my priority would be cost efficiency and instant hot water

i presume a cylinder system would involve heating water constantly to allow a regular hot water supply ?

surely this would cost more than a combi just heating water as and when required ?

Canucklehead

jonhoggy wrote: »

thanks for the responses

you'll have to bear with me as my diy/plumbing knowledge is pants
we havent measured the existing mains pressure/flow

i remember that plumber A was quoting a Baxi Solo boiler and plumber B a Baxi Platinum h.e.3

we intend to locate the boiler in the loft and operate it via wireless controller
i assume if we dont go for a cylinder the pressure (for say a shower) will be from water pressure

from the tank above (in the loft) or by electric if we have a pump installed ?
my priority would be cost efficiency and instant hot water

i presume a cylinder system would involve heating water constantly to allow a regular hot water supply ?

surely this would cost more than a combi just heating water as and when required ?

Good morning: Take a look at this guide on domestic hot water systems which answers many of your questions. I would avoid a Baxi: the OH only installs Vaillant and Viessmann (5 year parts and labour warranty;)) by choice not incentive.

Bottom line...a boiler is only as good as its installation and annual servicing

HTH

Canucklehead