Combi Boiler Fitting in a Flat

hotkee

We live in a flat - two levels, we are on top.

We have a boiler which is the old style tank system which, the boiler is situated in a bedroom with an outlet.

Currently British Gas maintain this boiler - and obviously would recommend updating.

Problem is because we live in a flat, there is need for scaffolding on the outside of the house.

For a combi boiler, British Gas quoted 5k I think last year.

So we got a local chap to come in and he was talking more 2k (I think) but with fitting the boiler in the kitchen, with an outlet going through the roof to the upstairs bedroom and out through the wall.

My question is - what actually is the best option, we cant afford 5k - 2k more reasonable but hole through kitchen sounds like a mess.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

andyhop

can the boiler be fitted on a outside wall?

Would depend on windows ect as there are regulations to abide by

Outside walls can be cored from the inside so unsure why you would need a scaffold

Pssst

Does your existing boiler work ok? If so,why replace it?

hotkee

Basically this is two floor maisonette flat - we are on the top floor.

The front facing bedroom has the boiler in the wall - with outlet to the front.

Suggested by one boiler person who came to look at it we could have a boiler in the kitchen (downstairs) with an outlet going out from the kitchen wall - the council said we should tell them before anything like that happens.

Ideal location for the boiler well probably where it is to avoid more holes but then we have problem with scaffolding.

Pssst - Yes the existing one works - pilot light went off yesterday (has happened before over the 20 odd years we have had this - its old yes). BG Gas look after the boiler and did a routine inspection only about a week ago.

Yesterday I could not get the pilot light to come back on - managed it this morning thankfully.

But as its old - it might be best to get a new one but the quotes from BG are out of the world.

WobblyGoblin

It's been a while since I've had mine done but I think the advice at the time was to halve BG's quotes and you have a rough estimate of a realistic quote.

Not sure if that's still the case but I would suspect BG to be massively overcharging.

If you don't want the boiler in the kitchen then can't you ask someone to quote to put the replacement where the current one is? You could call the guy who has already quoted or (better yet) get someone else in to quote and then you can compare.

Just because BG stated you would need scaffolding doesn't mean that's true. The guys fitting my combi spent barely any time outside (and it involved moving the flue). Most of the work was done from the inside outwards.

cattie

British gas are always way above other quotes so avoid. Shop around, get quotes from 2 or 3 gas fitters & go for a decent make boiler with a good reputation.

It's best to avoid boiler's in bedrooms because of fumes. I shoudn't think the council will give you a problem with permission for a vent for the boiler from the kitchen. Kitchen's are much more sensible places for boilers anyway.

brownbake

You do know that combi boilers are massively noisy don't you? We are in a similar position. However our boiler is the same one originally installed - over 30 years ago and still works fine.

Idiot upstairs - only one in our whole block of 12 decided to replace his and every time any tap is on it vibrates and is noisy throughout the whole flat!!! !!!!!!!!

If yours still works fine why spend 2 K replacing? Get a £50 service and if you need more water pressure get a STUART TURNER pump - 3 bar can be got for £210 and a plumber to fit should not cost over £70 if decent and honest - an hours work.

Money saving forum - You are looking at £350 to upgrade what you have - better than £2000

hth

Cheers

cattie

brownbake wrote: »

You do know that combi boilers are massively noisy don't you? We are in a similar position. However our boiler is the same one originally installed - over 30 years ago and still works fine.

Cheers

I don't know what combination boiler you are talking about, but I've had 3 or 4 combi's in various properties & none of them have been noisy. My current boiler is a condenser & is as quiet as a mouse.

Non combi boilers are the noisy blighters to my mind. All the racket they make when the tank is filling up with water, especially when being used at night & the tank is situated near or in a bedroom.

brownbake

cattie wrote: »

I don't know what combination boiler you are talking about, but I've had 3 or 4 combi's in various properties & none of them have been noisy. My current boiler is a condenser & is as quiet as a mouse.

Non combi boilers are the noisy blighters to my mind. All the racket they make when the tank is filling up with water, especially when being used at night & the tank is situated near or in a bedroom.

You have highlighted the exact problems with the combi boiler that the guy installed. EVERY time a tap is turned on it sounds like a motorbike starting in the morning!!

I don't know what exact combi he installed - maybe it goes by the name of "every time I turn the bloody thing on, night or day, my neighbours will want to hear the water being forced down the pipes"!!

Not the catchiest name .. I admit!!

andyhop

brownbake wrote: »

If yours still works fine why spend 2 K replacing? Get a £50 service and if you need more water pressure get a STUART TURNER pump - 3 bar can be got for £210 and a plumber to fit should not cost over £70 if decent and honest - an hours work.
hth

Cheers

Incorrect information

Yes a good quality pump like stuart turner will give you better flow

£70 to fit????????????

The pump needs a seperate supply from the header tank and from the cylinder with the use of a surrey flange

The water tank needs to be atleast 50 gallons aswell otherwise you run the risk of running the pump dry

Finally the electrics need to be on a rcd protected circuit

£70 wouldnt cover material....

andyhop

brownbake wrote: »

You have highlighted the exact problems with the combi boiler that the guy installed. EVERY time a tap is turned on it sounds like a motorbike starting in the morning!!

I don't know what exact combi he installed - maybe it goes by the name of "every time I turn the bloody thing on, night or day, my neighbours will want to hear the water being forced down the pipes"!!

Not the catchiest name .. I admit!!

Even the cheapest of boilers such as a a ideal mini are quiet when fitted correctly

Any noise vibrations are caused by water hammer, caused mainly by poor workmanship....If tradesmen would only use a few more pipe clips