Combi boiler - victorian semi - possible?

Possetjohn

These days you are not allowed to fit anything but a condensing boiler according to building regulations, except in very speacial circumstances.
Not sure what the advert meant by "normal" . The normal difference is between a condensing combi boiler, which also heats the mains hot water directly on demand and a condensing system boiler which heats hot water in a hot water cylinder

A condensing boiler extracts more of the energy from the gas by condensing most of the steam produced by burning gas into water. Typically they are around 30% more efficient than an old boiler with a cast iron heat exchanger and 10-15% more efficient than a more modern fan assisted non-condensing boiler.

vegasvisitor

Thanks John

I have got the advert here. One list is Non condensing SE boilers, the other is Condensing HE Boilers.

The first list has Baxi 105E SE, Vokera Compact 24SE etc. Second list has Sabre Combi 25HE, Vokera Compact 35HE Unica 36HE etc.

I'm thinking that probably in our current house we might have a smaller one, like 80,000BTU. Would I be correct in saying we should probably go for a larger one, I notice they go up to 120,000BTU or slightly more.

They start at £360 and go up to £800. I would probably be getting the fitter to supply anyway, but at least it lets me see how the price varies.

Possetjohn

Hi Lesley74,

Take a look at this link on the directgov site. Basically you have to fit a condensing boiler unless it is to difficult to install it. In real life this is pretty unusal these days.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Planning/BuildingRegulations/DG_10030520

Regarding the rating it depends which type you have. If you are planning on a combi boiler, then the BTU needed for the direct hot water heating is much higher than needed for the heating, so it is oversized for the heating. Upsides and downsides to combi boilers and you need good mains water pressure. There are many threads on here about it. A lot depends on your pattern of use of hot water, and how many bathrooms, shower rooms

We have had a Valliant combi for just over a year and been very pleased with it.

A good installer (RGI) should be able to give you advice, but try to get someone recommenations and get 3 quotes!

Regards

vegasvisitor

Thanks for that.

We have a combi just now, so we realise if we're running a bath then the kitchen sink runs tepid water so you have to either stop the bath or wait till you've finished running it before filling the kitchen sink. That's ok, I can live with that. There are only 2 of us. There will only be one bathroom in the though, and one wc.

Our water pressure is bordering on too high just now. Scottish Water checked it and said it was high but just within limits so they never did anything.

The house we are looking at is very close by, ie about 200m max away, and on very slightly lower ground. I think pressure will be just as high round there, but I might just try the kitchen tap to see. Thinking of viewing again as still not 100% sure.

Many thanks for everyone's help and input.