House renovation - New central heating system

Harry_Powell

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, but as I rarely venture out of the 'pure money' part of MSE, I don't know where else to post .

I have recently bought my first home and it's a bit of a wreck. I currently have gas wall heaters in the bedrooms and a gas fire in the lounge. I got extra on the mortgage to do the place up and I'm just about to get around to fitting central heating (well, to pay someone else to fit it!!)

I'm wondering whether to fit a combi boiler or a traditional boiler with hot water storage tank and I think I've made my mind up but was wondering if people who have had experience of the two systems could give their opinion on which is best?

I find that when you deal with tradesmen, it's always better to know a bit about what you're talking about so that they don't try and rip you off, so any information would be greatly appreciated!

pawpurrs

If its a smallish house, I would go for a combi, hot water when you want it on demand.
If its a large house with a lot of people, then perhaps go for the storage type.
Am going to be putting in gas and a combi myself again soon. Allready had to do this for the last house

blckbrd

Combis have less 'stuff' attached to them - no cold or hot tanks - so are cheaper. But you'll only have mains presure so that might affect any shower related decision.

I think heating, and keeping hot, a tank full of water has got to be less efficient than an on demand combi system. And I never have to wait an hour for a bath or put an immersion on because the kids have used every drop of hot!

No cold water storage tank to overflow and flood your house either.

poppysarah

Ask council for a list of recommended companies. Our trading standards has a "trade safe" list.

Get lots of quotes. At least three. You'll hear different opinions from different people about what boilers they recommend.

EDIT: If you're worried about dodgy workmen then get more quotes. The first couple you'll be finding your feet with the terminology but it'll help you ask the right questions with other workmen.
Ask for quotes in writing.

Harry_Powell

Thanks guys, I was thinking about a combi but was wondering if it used more gas to heat water instantly from mains temperature (5 degrees?) to a comfortable showering temperature (35 degrees?) than to gently heat the water over a longer duration while it is in the cylinder?

There are me and my girlfriend and one bathroom so we wouldn't need a huge amount of water as we couldn't both shower at the same time, well not in different showers anyway

pawpurrs

I would go for a condensing combi, they are so efficent now, what sort of prices have you been quoted?

hethmar

My Builder site is quite handy for queries and quotes and you can check out the references of people on there too. Worth putting your query on and asking for advice and prices.

Harry_Powell

pawpurrs wrote: »

I would go for a condensing combi, they are so efficent now, what sort of prices have you been quoted?

I don't think you can buy non-condensing boilers anymore, can you?

I haven't tried to get any quotes yet, I'm attempting to learn as much as I can so that when I do get some quotes I don't come across to the plumbers as the complete novice that I actually am, and therefore not quite such a lamb to the slaughter.

poppysarah

http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/contents.html

have a read of that.

EliteHeat

Harry_Powell wrote: »

I find that when you deal with tradesmen, it's always better to know a bit about what you're talking about so that they don't try and rip you off, so any information would be greatly appreciated!

Just out of idle curiosity, are you aware of just how insulting this comment is?

Harry_Powell

EliteHeat wrote: »

Just out of idle curiosity, are you aware of just how insulting this comment is?

Who am I insulting? No individuals have been named.

Or are you trying to suggest that all tradesmen are angellic and don't rip off people? Watchdog must be making it up as they go along!

p.s. However, please accept my apology for tarring everyone with the same brush. I do know that there are 10 decent people for every crooked one (probably even more) but I do think that people can do themselves a favour by doing a little research before contacting an expert, at the very least it saves time during the discussion and helps to prevent costly misunderstandings.