Are Condensing Boilers more efficient in real life?

mech_2

stevehead wrote: »

Why is it that at any given time, when I amble past the multitude of condensing flues in my neighborhood some are pluming like a steam train, and others are making all the right noises but with invisible exhausts?

They're not necessarily condensing boilers just because they have a fan in them.

mech_2

I discovered a downside of a condensing boiler today. Gurgling, vibration and drips of water coming from the bottom of the boiler casing followed by a big flashing red light and a fault code displayed on the LCD display. The condensate drain had frozen solid outside the house and condensate had backed up all the way to the flue, impeding the exhaust. Quite alarming. I'm sure most people would have called out an engineer at great expense (I just took the thing apart until I realised what the problem was).

Solved by going outside armed with a hairdryer. It's working fine now. Phew.

thechippy

mech wrote: »

I discovered a downside of a condensing boiler today. Gurgling, vibration and drips of water coming from the bottom of the boiler casing followed by a big flashing red light and a fault code displayed on the LCD display. The condensate drain had frozen solid outside the house and condensate had backed up all the way to the flue, impeding the exhaust. Quite alarming. I'm sure most people would have called out an engineer at great expense (I just took the thing apart until I realised what the problem was).

Solved by going outside armed with a hairdryer. It's working fine now. Phew.

By rights, the external condense drain should be insulated - cheap and quick to do if it's not and it won't happen again.