Combi Boiler question

1jim

currently we have a combi boiler fitted into one of the bedrooms (are limited for outside walls downstairs), we are going to have this moved into the loft, the boiler is 5years old, would it be more econimcal to change to a condensing combi boiler (to be put in the loft)? at the same time or not really due to the age of our current boiler

also
all of our rooms bar one have radiator thermostat valves, the radiator without is turned on full at all time as this is what we were told to do when it was installed, we do not have a thermostat in the hallway, the motherinlaw recently had a new system put in, all the radiators in her house have thermostat valves and she has a general thermostat in the hallway

which is right? are there any advantages of chaning to the same set up as her?

thanks
jim

kenshaz

A new boiler is about £600,and you still have life in your present one,at least 5 years,what you gain with a condenser ,will take a few years to get back.
You just need one rad without a TVR,and a wall thermostat located in the room without the TVR

Mrs_Arkwright

This is what Mr A would do(CORGI plumber)

Re Mother in Law - shouldn't have a thermostatic valve on the radiator in the same room as the room thermostat. Should be valves that are open all the time. Overcome that by keeping the radiator thermostat open at all times.

Combi boiler thing - Condensing combi boiler is more economical than combi boiler by approx 30%. As regards changing it when you have the other one moved, it depends on the condition of the boiler, he says you could have a five year old one that is completely knackered, or a fifteen year old one that works fine - depends on the condition of yours.

This is of course just what he would do He says you can phone CORGI for advice, 0870 401 2300.

1jim

The motherinlaws thermostat (wall) is in the hallway and doesnt have a radiator next to it, should she have one of the radiator thermostat valves removed then (or just leave it open)?

our boiler is pretty good and has never given us any trouble so may be worth waiting to see if it breaks down and then get it replaced
thanks
jim

Mrs_Arkwright

The thermostat shouldn't be close to the radiator, or near anything that could affect it by heat, draught or sunlight. If the thermostat is in the same room as the radiator, leave the valve open, even if it's the hallway. Whatever room the thermostat is in, the radiator in the same room should have the valves fully open.

kenshaz

A thermostatic radiator valve on the highest setting will still close if the temperature is high enough ,so it might not stay fully open,but you can remove the control section from the top of the valve,which will leave the pin exposed and the thermostat will no longer work,and the valve operate like an ordinary radiator valve

JasonW_2

Your system obviously was designed so that if all the TRVs shut off, the one without could keep the water circulating, otherwise it would kill the pump if ALL the valves in the system were closed at the same time.

Whoever did your MILs system had fitted a bypass valve so that in the event of all the valves being closed, the water can still circulate and literally bypass the TRVs. You should be able to get one fitted, and should be at a low point in the system, but if it isnt a problem for you heatwise then you could just leave it.

J

KTJ_2

out of interest....how much do you think it would cost to move that boiler from the bedroom to the loft?

We may want to do the same thing.

p4u1_2

Generally speaking, only the radiators fitted in bedrooms located upstairs should be fitted with TRVs, in fact I believe it is a requirement for newly installed systems or where the boiler has been replaced. A wall thermostat is useful when located in the coolest part of the house and in the same area as an uncontrolled radiator.

The fitting of TRVs on all radiators is not recommended, even with a bypass of some description, as boilers require a load. I believe that for condensing boilers to work efficiently they require a larger load, therefore it is recommended not to fit TRVs downstairs.