Swith from normal to Combi Boiler?

lolly1963

Hi,
Just after some help in deciding. My old boiler (bless 23 years old!) Stelrad conventional system with hot water tank. Its installed in my garage (bungalow) and has been leaking for some time (small leak of water) and still going strong and never really gone wrong.
Its about time it was replaced and i am trying to convinve hubby to have a combi boiler so we can do away with the airing cupboard (this is in a bedroom) to free up space. We have 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom so not massive, its just my garage is the opposite side to the kitchen. Would it be a problem for water pressure as the boiler would be about 32ft max away from kitchen sink and about 25 ft from bathroom.
I just think it would be better coz u r only paying for what u are using at the time. My bungalow wasw built in 1986 so hopefully the pipework to my rads would be ok and the gas feed pipe is already 22mm.
The other option would be to install in the loft as it is boarded out.
Thoughts please and maybe rough cost to get rid of cylinder and header tanks etc in the loft.
Many thanks
Lorraine

Canucklehead

Hi, Lorraine: Cost will be dependent on your location in the UK and the specification of the installation. For example,fitting a combi in the loft could add a considerable amount to the quote...that being said it is a popular option for 1 bathroom bungalows. A RGI, after conducting a site survey, would be best placed to advise you. Browse through the threads on this forum and 'Is It Fair' to get a better handle on potential costs. I'll admit my bias...I'm a big fan of combis (we have one in the loft of our bungalow) and I'm married to a RGI. In the meantime take a look at this guide from the Energy Saving Trust on the specification and installation of gas central heating. Finally ,use a RGI recommended to you by a source you trust

HTH

Canucklehead

lolly1963

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I am in Essex, so probably the dearest place on the planet for cost...LOL!
Why would it be more to install in the loft? I think it would locate all the pipework closer than where it is at the minute in the garage. The other thing i was gonna ask is, the main stopcock for my mains water is in the airing cupboard in the bedroom at the moment, so i am assuming this would need to be moved to outside of the bedroom wall into the garage (bedroom next to garage) Does that make sense..LOL!. Also, does the central heating pipes connect under the floor to where the hot water cylinder is at the minute? Just curious.
Thank
Lorraine

robv_3

Having such long pipe runs will result in it taking a long time for hot water to come through to the taps. This is made even worse by having a combi, they need to turn on, start to heat the water so add another 5-10 seconds. Some combi's have tanks built in to stop this being suck an issue.

Your going to end up paying for the extra water and heating more water than you use.

lolly1963

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking about the pipe runs, i suppose most people that have combis situate them nearer to the kitchen but my gas and mains water come in the other end of my bungalow. Its a right pain! Maybe i would be best to consider a condensing normal boiler in the same place in the garage, The only thing was is that i dont have any waste,down pipes for the pipe required. Could a soakaway be allowed to be put in along the back garage wall? My nearest drainpipe would be the front of the garage or the kitchen end! I just would have liked to have done away with the airing cupboard...hehehee....
Nothings simple whatever we have done...LOL!
Cheers
Lorraine.

Canucklehead

lolly1963 wrote: »

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I am in Essex, so probably the dearest place on the planet for cost...LOL!
Why would it be more to install in the loft? I think it would locate all the pipework closer than where it is at the minute in the garage. The other thing i was gonna ask is, the main stopcock for my mains water is in the airing cupboard in the bedroom at the moment, so i am assuming this would need to be moved to outside of the bedroom wall into the garage (bedroom next to garage) Does that make sense..LOL!. Also, does the central heating pipes connect under the floor to where the hot water cylinder is at the minute? Just curious.
Thank
Lorraine

Hi... re: loft installation....additional requirements
See also a post I made in December.
As said, a RGI needs to do a site survey and advise you accordingly.

HTH

Canucklehead

lolly1963

Hi,
Thanks for that, think we would be ok. Loft is boarded, loft ladder fitted, can just stand up in roofspace, and a light already in place, so no probs there i do not think. Just the pipe runs to consider and the cost to factor in.
Need to get someone in to help us make the right decisions of choice. Just thought i would get a head start beforehand.
No doubt i shall be back with more questions later on in the year, Thanks again for your help and replies. Gave me more things to think about.
Cheers.

mikey72

Real pain if they're put in a loft. You need a remote programmer, remote thermostat and frost stat, you can't get to the reset button, you can't even see if they are actually working until you notice it's gone cold or there is no hot water.

~daisy~_2

our combi boiler is in the loft and we are in a house not a bungalow - never had any problems with it being there

amcluesent

I looked into this and the plumbers were very cautious. Something about the pipes/rads from an open-system can't be 100% cleansed and the corrosion debris would likely shorten the life of the heat-exchanger system in a new combi-boiler.

mrsjanejane

Not sure what to think reading this thread as I have just got my combi put in the loft in a house. I guess I will have to wait and see as it will all be finished off in two days. It was supposed to go in the downstairs toilet but it would have cost more (not sure why now)