Gas Condenser boiler - which one?

frumpyknickers

O.K. can of worms time. We are facing boiler replacement - our 20 year old extremely reliable gas back boiler has to go to make way for new kitchen. We need to re-site & replace. It has to be a condenser boiler, we're not going the combi route as want a hot water tank- so question is which gas condenser boiler is the best in terms of reliability & noise? Are there any other issues we need to consider (we are going to site the boiler outside bathroom & have been assured position will be o.k. flue wise!)

raymond

Why do you want a hot water tank ?

ariba10

I might be wrong but I think that condensing boilers are combi boilers.

I have a new condensing boiler and it replaced an old combi. The hot water output from the new one is far, far better than the old one.

I would not dream of reinstalling a hot water cylinder.

Skiduck

a condensing boiler can be a combi, open vented system or a sealed system. What makes it condensing is the fact it usese the latent heat from the flue gases to heat the water returning to the boiler thus the boiler doesn't have to work as hard getting the water back up to temperature again.
The best system is unvented sealed system (mains pressure cylinder stored water.), a combi is only really good if you have a small house/flat with few people usuing hot water, open vented are the ones with roof tanks and lagged cylinders in airing cupboards.
If your boiler is 20 years old, estimated effeciency is about 60% if that, new boilers are upto 95% effecient, so you will be saving 30p in the pound on gas.

Skiduck

ps, as to what boiler is best - you pay for what you get.

Vaillant are good, worcester are ok, Ideal Icos/Isars are brilliant value, baxi and potterton are reliable mid range.

frumpyknickers

Thank-you Skiduck, hadn't heard of Icos/Isars - will check them out. Haven't heard v good reports about potterton though - I am hoping the gas efficiency will somewhat make up for the nightmare of changing! Has anyone any info on noise?

Skiduck

noise is not an issue anymore really with boilers, the only issue is the vapour they produce, so make sure to site it away from an angry neighbour - but the vapour is harmless water vapour produced on condensing, just one of those niggles. Potterton did go through a bad patch when Baxi took them over, funnily enough, so did Baxi. Also the change before condesing boiler put the market in turmoil, so a few bad reports have been filed against some manufacturers, most of them are fine now.
As an Ex-Merchant manager - Vaillant, baxi, potterton, worcester and ideal are my choices depending on budget or performance.

Rudolph

Be careful of some of the lower cost boilers as if the circuit board needs to be replaced it can be very expensive. These circuit boards go more often than you would think,
Also found a price on line which was matched by the local Grahams from stock (£100 less than they had it on the shelf)

frumpyknickers

thanks for the feedback just about made our decision, a worcester vented mains pressure boiler ...... if anyone out there thinks this is a bad idea, let me know!

sallen2

I am getting quotes to supply and install a combi condensing boiler - first one was £2000 for a Baxi 105. I am waiting for another quote who says he fits Worcester's.
How does that compare with you ?
Thanks

frumpyknickers

My chappy is going to take out back boiler and gas fire, re-direct gas to new boiler location, install new hot and cold water tanks, leave us 2 sets of pipes for additional radiators in a place we can access for new extension, instal wireless thermostat, oh, and provide and install new boiler for £1900+ VAT. He's a thorough chap, ex brit gas, and has serviced my trusty old boiler for years so I guess I trust him! I am in Somerset which may also affect price. Hope this helps. :j