New boiler and fire

lullabellea

Hi there

I have an ancient Baxi back boiler (28 years old!) which works away merrily - but noisily! It's been banging away when it comes on in the morning for quite some time now.

I need a new boiler... but what type? I heard lots of drawbacks with combi's. Plus we have a shower pump because the flow is low which we'd have to have removed if we use a combi.

Also - is it just a matter of replacing the boiler? I'm keen to replace the hideous gas fire with something minimal and glossy too but if we remove the boiler (the current fire is in front of it) will that cause problems?

What's the best solution for our heating needs? It's a three bed semi, one bath, one cloak, 7 radiators and two towel warmers.

Naturally we're broke and are looking for the cheapest but best option!!!!

Any help much appreciated

lullabellea

Not sure how rubbish it is replying to your own thread but I've got more....

I've been on here reading threads and .... I'm confused! do i really need to replace my boiler now, just because it's noisy? http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum_images/smilies/confused-smiley-013.gif

The reason I'm asking is because everything works: all rads hot, no cold spots, hot water all fine... the only problem is this bleeding banging when the boiler kicks in.

Would a powerflush sort that out?

I can live with the hideous fire for a while.

lullabellea

anyone at all?

jimbo_the_jetset

Best bet is to get a CORGI registered plumber or three round and ask them the questions. It is very hard for people to give advice without seeing the system

Pyewacket338

For a more specific answer, I'd try http://www.diynot.com/forums/ ...... not that I'm suggesting the people on here don't know better, but I've had good replies from Corgi registered guys on that forum.

economiser

lullabellea wrote: »

Not sure how rubbish it is replying to your own thread but I've got more....

I've been on here reading threads and .... I'm confused! do i really need to replace my boiler now, just because it's noisy? http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum_images/smilies/confused-smiley-013.gif

The reason I'm asking is because everything works: all rads hot, no cold spots, hot water all fine... the only problem is this bleeding banging when the boiler kicks in.

Would a powerflush sort that out?

I can live with the hideous fire for a while.

I would only replace it as a last resort. I had one for 35 years (only broke down once). Had to replace it because of other building alterations. Two replacement boilers in 15 years since and 5 breakdowns.

mike_the_bike_2

Ok my advice would be ..if you haven't got much money and you don't use the thing 24 hours a day (they are not very efficient compared to a modern boiler) keep it going!

I recently got a friends old back boiler fixed (using a corgi guy) and his advice was that there is so little do go wrong with these old boilers compared to modern ones his advice was keep it going.

It may also be that putting a new boiler in (it will need to be a condensing boiler) may prove expensive as it may need to go in the loft etc


The banging you describe MAY be caused by scaling on the heat exchanger and or sludge in the system.

If you are competant a company called Sentinel (although there are others) make products to sort this out.. You will need to put them in to the system through the small feed and expansion tank which is likely to be in your loft..Leave them in and then drain and flush the system a few times..

The alternative if this is too much is to get a plumber in to do this..As this does not involve actually repairing the boiler CORGI registration is not required to do this job.

As you say a power flush is another option although this will be expensive and although i'm no expert I believe power flushing is only really necessary on badly blocked systems and the other products available as mentioned are just as good to remove sludge although take longer to work.

Canucklehead

lullabellea wrote: »

Naturally we're broke and are looking for the cheapest but best option!!!!

Good morning: The cheapest solution is to have the BBU/fire serviced by a RGI and get yourself a CO alarm if you don't have one...no need to replace a safe and functioning boiler. Start putting aside money now for a new boiler so you won't get caught out when yours finally kicks the bucket/parts become unavailable;) The OH services/repairs Bermudas with 30+ years on the clock..

HTH

Canucklehead

mike_the_bike_2

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good morning: The cheapest solution is to have the BBU/fire serviced by a RGI and get yourself a CO alarm if you don't have one...no need to replace a safe and functioning boiler. Start putting aside money now for a new boiler so you won't get caught out when yours finally kicks the bucket/parts become unavailable;) The OH services/repairs Bermudas with 30+ years on the clock..

HTH

Canucklehead

Yes I agree with Canucklehead...Get yourself a carbon monoxide detector preferably two..one for downstairs and another for sleeping area...For information B&Q larger stores have a CO monitor for £10

Steve_PS

I used to be a CORGI registered engineer until I moved to a better paid job.
BBU's are very simple and easy to fix. Replacing one requires it to be removed c/w the fire; this will leave you with a big hole in your wall to block up, decorate etc. New boilers now are mostly wall mounted. You can get a system boiler or a combi. The system boiler will use your original system components i.e. header tank, hot water tank etc; the combi boiler will dispense with these and provide heating and hot water on demand. Combi boilers have more working parts and are more suceptable to breakdown, especially if the water in your area causes bad scaling (look in your kettle to see what your water is like).
Banging from a BBU can usually be caused by either partial blockage or scaling up of the heat exchanger or a pump providing poor circulation. If you upstairs radiators get hot quickly you pump should be OK.
You can try to cure a noisy boiler with additives to your central heating system, usually by introducing them via your central heating header tank. Has your central heating system ever been cleaned or inhibited? If not I recommend you get a plumber to do this, it may cure your problem.

lullabellea

FABULOUS !!!!!http://images.moneysavingexpert.com/images/forum_images/smilies/action-smiley-033.gif

many, MANY, thanks for your responses. I will look at getting a plumber to clean the system.

We have a bg care agreement and they service it every year. They usually try to get us to get a new boiler but one of the guys said he liked the old back boilers as they were like solid old workhorses.

Like I said, it all works well, just the knocking is irritating when it comes on...
We don't have neighbours at the moment so I suppose as it's not annoying anyone else....