Replace old faulty boiler/heating with combi?

spaceraiders

macman wrote: »

Don't even think about calling in BG. Get an independent CH engineer in to advise.
You haven't given the age or model of your existing boiler, but parts are usually available for boilers for many years after they go out of production. My combi is 11 years old and I can still get any parts I need easily.
10mm pipes mean you have a microbore system.

The boiler is a Stelrad Group, Ideal Elan 2. The actual boiler seems fine. It fires up, makes the usual noises, the water pipe leaving the boiler is hot enough to burn yourself on. The pipe going into the hot water tank is only warmish however.

Can you get free quotes from CH engineers? Is there any chance that the neglected will be so bad that the pipes must be replaced (i.e. a powerflush would not do)?

Thanks again for your time.

macman

Is the motor valve sticking maybe? Lots of things could be wrong but it might not be anything that could not be fixed for less than the price of a new boiler. Maybe just a proper service.
I would have thought that if the rads are being changed and moved, you just replace the pipework anyway-its only a tiny 3 rad system. Not even sure if microbore is still used on new installs these days, no doubt someone else can advise.

spaceraiders

By the way, would people advise keeping the electric shower if I get a combi?

Pros:
Backup if boiler fails

Cons:
Electric heated water costs more.
It's something else to maintain and fix.
Pressure isn't as good as with combi.

Cknocker

If you want the cheapest option (In the short term) repair the boiler, if you don't mind the larger upfront cost replace the boiler, as has ben said all new boilers should be condensing, so you can expect to use 30% less gas as it stands, the fact that you are only heating the hot water you need means you should save more. If I had the spare cash I would go for the replacement, it depends really on your circumstances at present.

The shower is one to cntemplate replacing once the electric one breaks down really, generally unless you have a huge electric showerr (10kW +) a shower offf the hot water system will be no lower pressure.

With regards to microbore, it is still used, but generally with plastic pushfit pipe now.