Conventional Boiler should we replace it with a combi?

hollandangel01

Hi, We are purchasing a 3 bed semi which has a conventional boiler fitted. From the viewings we have had it all seems to be in perfect working order but my husband says that he thinks combi boilers are better.

Would this be true for our situation?
There is just the one bathroom
We will be using the shower daily and the bath only occasionally
We will be running a dishwasher/washing machine daily (not sure about water storage)

I personally would prefer to keep the conventional boiler due to the cost and up-heavel of taking out and having it replaced not to metion the phrase of not trying to fix something thats not broken.

Would be grateful for anyones opinions/advice.

crossleydd42

I can see no logic at all in ripping out a perfectly good boiler, let alone the all the mess in fitting a combi boiler. You'll need a fairly powerful one and the existing boiler should have a plate with its power on it to give an indication.
I never found that the water flow was anything like to strong as a conventional hot water tank anyway.
In fact, there is a trend away from them these days - their main purpose being in smaller one and two bedroomed flats and houses with a peak sround 10 years ago.
Stick to your guns. It will take a long time to recoup your expense in changing, assuming you will save.

darktrader

Have the bolier checked by a professional. I recommend British Gas - not the cheapest - but highly qualified staff and you have some comeback if anything goes wrong. I would have it checked before you purchase - then if there is a problem you can negotiate on the price.

Assuming it is OK - stick with it - unless it is going to save lots of money on gas by changing.

If you need a new boiler combi are better - as in more efficient. Though I'm not sure if they are still available. Think it's condensing or combi/condensing boliers now. In any event, get someone like BS to do a site survey and they will advise you on the best type of boiler for your property and personal needs/usage

I have a combi - fitted 5 years ago - in a large detached bungalow. BRILLIANT. But the thing it replaced was 15 years old and was there when we bought the property. First winter after it was fitted we were much warmer and saved 25% on our gas bill

caveat_emptor

Would only change the boiler if you have a big gas bill and are going to make good savings on increased efficiency of a condensing boiler, possibly 20%, to pay for the replacement.
Decent boiler will cost about £1000+fitting. Someone here was quoted £3000 by BG for just changing a boiler.
Be careful about getting BG to survey your existing boiler as there has been press coverage about their engineers condemning boilers because they say the ventilation is inadequate.

inmypocketnottheirs

Personally I would recommend steering away from combi boilers. If you have a breakdown (as we did) and no hot water storage (i.e.cylinder with immersion) it would be very inconvenient if you had to wait a week (as we did) for parts to arrive. Any boiler, conventional or combi can break down, and personally I would rather have the security of stored hot water to fall back on.

Cardew

The downside of a combi boiler is the poor flow of hot water in the winter. I have a fairly big one(85,000btu) fitted in an annex and at the moment the water it produces(even when the CH is off) is not warm enough unless you reduce the flow. Far better in the summer though.

My vote with those above.

Woby_Tide

our Worcester Bosch 35 HE has served us fine for 3 years now, great flow and temperature regardless of heating being on or off, little difference when drawn from two taps around the house. Fills the bath quickly enough(and certainly no worse than the boiler and tank fed system it replaced). Horses for courses, some work detailing what you expect from a boiler should find the right answers and whether a combi will be adequate for you or not(though again, if it doesn't need replacing just put money aside if need be and wait for existing boiler to give up).

(oh and it's more efficient and better on the environment)

crankup

I certainly wouldnt ask British Gas to advise me if I need a new boiler - guess what their answer will be!!! As they rub their hands with glee whilst £££ signs appear in their eyes!!!


We have an old floor-standing Potterton. We'd had a combi previously for 5 yrs in another house. A Vaillant. Nice too, but did have a switch that needed replacing twice. Not an expensive fix (£20), but irritating.
We had a heating engineer round to give his opinion on our old boiler in current house. He is a family friend so I had no worries with a potential sales pitch.
His opinion was that the old Potterton would go on forever, but would never be as efficient as a new condenser. The condensers bits are generally pricey so it probably evens out. We kept the Potterton and will splash out several hundred only when needed.

hollandangel01

Thank you for all your advice. We are going to get someone out to have a look at it when we move in and then if its in perfect working order we are gonna keep it as it is.

Thanks again,
Kirsty

crossleydd42

If you are purchasing your property, part of the survey questionnaire the vendor's solicior has to complete requires a statment as to whether the boiler system is in good conidtion and usually an invoice to say that a service has been carried out recently. Enquire of your solicitor about this. You should not have to pay.

Thunderbird_2

Hi

The combi is a good long term investment, if you are not going to change the house within next 10 years. The initial cost is expensive, but, the running cost will certainly be cheaper. That's why you should only do it only if you are not going to consider moving in less 10 years time.

Regards

Thunderbird