Any Help in Replacing a 15 yr old Tank/Boiler

SALOPMAN

Hi
Our system is 15 yr old:
We have a weird combination of Heating/Boiler/Tank. The Boiler is in the kitchen, and the tank (huge) is in airing cupboard,no held water in loft, the tank its got like a coil inside dual tank in cupboard. Problem is : the tank has started to exude some sticky oily substance from round one of the pipe inlets nuts, only when system is on,it could be watery oily substance (not sure). So would assume its breaking down and may need complete replacement, everyone says combis are best etc etc and we did have a plumber guy look at it 2 years ago and said the new boiler when u fit it could go in airing cupboard and get rid of the huge tank,he reckoned we would get a lot for scrap as it holds 180 litres!! Anyway, my question is - is there any grants / help in replacing these? these days? I dont think there is - and are there any plumbers out there who know whats happening to tank at moment? We were quoted about 3,000 to get it sorted and re-piped 2 years ago!!

Cardew

Well not everyone says 'Combis are best' Many people much prefer a hot water tank in an airing cupboard- me for one!

When the time comes to replace my 21 year old boiler, I certainly won't be getting a combi.

Your system doesn't sound to be a 'weird combination', but fairly standard.

With your present arangement you will always have plentiful hot water, and an airing cupboard.

Whilst a combi in most cases will be cheaper for HW supply, the difference is not normally huge, and in any case heat losses from a HW tank are not really losses for much of the year as they heat the house.

I don't think there are any grants available unless you are on benefits. However I would certainly get a plumber to look at slight leak, it can probably be fixed but in any case a new tank is a lot cheaper than a new combi boiler system.

Don't tell the plumber that a new system is an option, just get him to quote for repairs. Many will prefer to get a big job like CH sytem replacement rather than a pipe repair.