combi boiler (worcester) quote

Bevann

Hi

I've been quoted £2,180 to install a worcestor greenstar 25si in two bed terraced. This is without controls or radiators. Someone I work with says I should get 28i, but plumber said 25si better because of something to do with controls for hot water? Not sure if 25 this would be powerful enough for property? Also seen on internet that boiler costs about £800 inc VAT, so seems a lot to fit it, although am changing from convential (broken) boiler. Quote to replace with regular boiler was £1600.

Does anyone have an experience of these boilers and also guide on if this is ok. I feel should be below £2000 (unless with controls etc). Also has anyone ever ordered a boiler from a company and got someone to fit? Do they tend to do this and how much did you save?

Thanks for any advice!

mykylyn

A good heating engineer will be able to repair your existing boiler. Combi (has to be condensing) boilers can be like "opening a can of worms". Noisy flue, gas expensive if two or more people use domestic hot water (much worse if water metered), expensive to service and unreliable. you'll have problems with the increased rad water pressure causing leaks and maybe problems getting rid of condensate. Don't go there! If you have to replace go for 8/15 Kw regular. Repair best option.

Steve_PS

A good heating engineer will be able to repair your existing boiler. Combi (has to be condensing) boilers can be like "opening a can of worms". Noisy flue, gas expensive if two or more people use domestic hot water (much worse if water metered), expensive to service and unreliable. you'll have problems with the increased rad water pressure causing leaks and maybe problems getting rid of condensate. Don't go there! If you have to replace go for 8/15 Kw regular. Repair best option.

Hmmm, sounds like someone's had a bad experience with a combi boiler in the past!
I used to be a CORGI registered heating engineer, these are my thoughts...
I'm guessing your boiler heats a water tank which provides your hot water. Do you have radiators fitted or not? The Worcester Greenstar is a good reliable boiler. Do not use a single quote, get 3 and don't trust anyone who doesn't inspect your property first to see whats work is involved. Talk to your local heating conservation agency who will recommend good reliable experienced and qualified companies. Make sure the quotes you get are in writing. As for the quote you have, well it really depends on the amount of work required to remove your old bloier and install the new one. Most boilers can be repaired but older ones are quite inefficient and a new one will eventually pay for itself. What is your existing boiler and what age is it?

Bevann

My old boiler is a gloworm and have been told is about 15-20 years old. The rest of the heating system (tank, pump, controls) also look old. We only moved into the property 6 months ago and at the time were told that the heating system was old, inefficient, but working and may do for some time (obviously not!). No problems at all with it, then just packed up. Yes do have (quite old) radiators. First (not v reliable) company said that couldn't get hold of two parts needed. Second, more reliable said maybe be able to get one, but unsure about the other and said may not be worth it to replace considering age. There is about £800 difference between getting a regular boiler and changing to a combi. Everyone has been saying I should go for a combi, but concerned about the difference. I'm concerned about mykylyn saying it will be expensive for water as thought these were more efficient than regular? We do have a water meter and find this a benefit at the moment as we don't use all that much water.

Cardew

Steve_PS wrote: »

Most boilers can be repaired but older ones are quite inefficient and a new one will eventually pay for itself. What is your existing boiler and what age is it?

Personally, whilst I generally agree with your advice, I don't agree with you on that latter point.

The savings on fitting a new boiler are greatly exaggerated by many people.

I posted this in another thread

There is a strong body of opinion that you don't replace a working boiler, as the savings are do not justify the additional cost.

Also that there is very little to go wrong with the old type boiler, but plenty to go wrong with the modern condensing boilers that are stuffed full of electronics and it seems that 10 years is a reasonable life expectancy.

The RoyalInstitution of Chartered Surveyors stated recently :

The average cost of installing one of these modern boilers is £1,720, but saves on average just £95 off people's gas bills." See:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...erts-warn.html

Couple of threads here.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1376409&highlight=royal+institut ion+chartered

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1423841&highlight=royal+institut ion+chartered

If the chartered surveyors are correct - and they have no axe to grind - the average cost of £1720 invested in a fixed rate saver at 4% will realise £68(compounded).

Personally I doubt if it ever pays to replace a working/repairable boiler, and tend to agree with the thrust of mykylyn's post.

Bevann

If it was working I wouldn't be replacing it as personally would rather use the money for a holiday than a new boiler, but it isn't working!

Canucklehead

Good evening: the Energy Saving Trust website is an excellent resource especially this guide .

Combination boilers are not suitable for all individuals or situations but are now the most popular heating/DHW option in the UK. For example,the Viessmann Vitodens 200 combi is a quiet, reliable boiler with a 5 year parts & labour warranty (if installed by a Viessmann trained RGI and serviced annually) ...it is becoming a popular choice with my OH's clients.

But, in the end, a boiler is only as good as its installation and annual servicing....don't end up paying twice. If you buy the boiler, find a RGI first who will agree to fit a boiler supplied by you as many won't (for reasons detailed on this forum many times).

Let us know how you get on.

Canucklehead

Bevann

I've now been told that the quote does include new controls. The plumber is insisting that the 25si is better than the 28i, but I'm concerned about water flow. I don't even know what the water flow/pressure is in my property. Is this something I should ask him to do? I don't think the quote is bad, I'm more concerned about the end result of getting a good water flow. I'm not so bothered about the heating as we have a real fire anyway and still have lots of wood that was given to us.