Experiences with condensing boilers - any good?

TanDiy

We are considering changing our warm air heating to a wet system. We love the fact that we have no water or complicated boiler but it is noisy, upstairs has vents in the ceiling which do not heat rooms very well, we cannot set serarate times for heating and water,etc.

We have a typical 70's detached house and have been quoted various options for a wet system - vented / unvented with a condensing boiler - each engineer recommends something different.

We have read some bad things about condensing boilers and the unvented (pressurised systems) - really would appreciate any advice - are these condensing boilers ok or do they keep going wrong.

Wondering whether we should put up with the warm air system but worried that we won't be able to sell the house in the future without a more modern system.

Sorry for waffle but many thanks for any advice.

owned_by_2_Siamese

Hi! Well if you have a new boler it will almost certainly have to be condensing - there are only few limited exceptions. Over the last 15 years in four houses I have had 4 (!) 3 gas - one oil. The first was early technology and crap. The latter ones have all been fine. The real question is whether you go for 'pressurised' (mainsflow) hot water agin my experience has been mixed - first one was a nightmare rest have been OK - any the advantages of mains pressure hot water outweigh the cost! Have you considered a combi? I'm a big fan - no hot water tank and get one wih teh right (high enough) output of water and you will be gine (unless you have two bathrooms - in which case probably best to steer to mains pressure) In terms of slaeability - personally warm air would put me off - but a working reliable and economical system would probably be an advantage!

saintlee

I wonder if the original poster is confused between the terms condensing boiler and combi boiler. As the last poster said, having a condensing boiler isn't an option but a requirement (Apart from exceptional circumstances)

Condensing boilers are available as Conventioanl(low pressure with a cylinder and roof tanks), System Boiler (unvented with a megaflo or similair unvented unit), or a combi (unvented with no cylinder or roof tanks)

Each system have their benefits and drawbacks, and your engineers should be able to advise you of your options specific to your property

juliw

Hi I'm considering buying a new boiler and after reading all the advise left on this site it's given me many tips. What I can't get my head round is my first boiler was over 20 years and the one I have now is 24 years old still working. When the plumber said it needed replacing which he could be right after 24 years, He said it comes with a five year guarantee I nearly fell about laughting, he said the same applies to any new radiators just five years wear if your lucky. I replaced the old rads last year after they had been in use for thirty years with no problems. My new bathroon rad is going rusty along the seal already Taking in to consideration the expense of replacing a boiler & labour i need to make sure i'm making the right choice.

Cardew

juliw wrote: »

Hi I'm considering buying a new boiler and after reading all the advise left on this site it's given me many tips. What I can't get my head round is my first boiler was over 20 years and the one I have now is 24 years old still working. When the plumber said it needed replacing which he could be right after 24 years, He said it comes with a five year guarantee I nearly fell about laughting, he said the same applies to any new radiators just five years wear if your lucky. I replaced the old rads last year after they had been in use for thirty years with no problems. My new bathroon rad is going rusty along the seal already Taking in to consideration the expense of replacing a boiler & labour i need to make sure i'm making the right choice.

Welcome to the forum.

There have been lots of posts on this subject, and the concensus of opinion is that you do not replace a working boiler for 'efficiency' as the savings never justify the replacement costs.

The old boilers (mine is 21 years old) have very little to go wrong. The servicing consists of visual checks and cleaning. The only thing that has ever gone wrong is the thermocouple - a 5 min job to replace and costs a few pounds.

Modern boilers are stuffed full of electronics and there is plenty of informed opinion that 10 years is a reasonable lifespan.

You are actually quite lucky to get a 5 year guarantee - many are 2 years. Also some very expensive servicing plans(BG?) specifically exclude some parts like the heat exchanger.

I appreciate you are new to MSE but there is a search facility that you can use and you will find loads of posts on your query.