Where to start with replacing a boiler?

mankybat

Hi Guys

I'm not a DIY/techie kinda girl so would appreciate some advice on some work we're hoping to get done asap.

Basically we have a back boiler which is pretty unreliable (I think its a gloworm), it "locks out" regularly, I don't trust the blooming thing and we've discussed getting a replacement, but I don't want another back boiler. At the moment it is totally non-functional and we just get hot water from the immersion heater. The fireplace is awful and flaking, the ignition on the fire has packed in more times than I can remember, etc!

I want to have access to constant hot water with having a toddler and a bubba on the way too, to make life easier basically. We could get the back boiler repaired I guess but long term I'd like to have a combi system in place, and while we have a spare bedroom it seemed like a good time to do it!

We have a 3 bedroom semi, no shower fitted at the mo but want one fitted as soon as the boiler is sorted.
There are 5 radiators in total, 4 are in pretty good nick, one is a very old rad (i've no idea why it wasn't replaced when the others obviously were at some point).

Anyway I'm a bit confuddled about the types of boiler available, whats the difference between a condensing and combi, and what is a "traditional" boiler?? I see there is a lot of talk about the kw power of the boilers, is it a case of the higher the better?

I expect all the pipework etc to be removed, the old tank etc, and firefront to be replaced so I have a *basic* idea of the work involved, hoping it can all be done and dusted before next baby due in 15 weeks (and all the associated re-decorating!)

Sorry if I appear to be a bit daft, been browsing through some previous messages about recommended models etc, but with starting from scratch I just want to make sure I don't do jumping blindly into such a big job and make the wrong decisions and end up paying for it.

We have good old BG coming tomorrow for a quote. I know they will give an expensive but my logic was to use it as a starting point, see what the advice is and a rough top figure for the boilers and the work involved.

If anyone could give me some starter tips I'd be very grateful

Thanks in advance

Pam

dander

Had a back boiler replaced with a combi system last winter. I had all the radiators replaced at the same time because mine were old and knackered - despire also having a 3-bed, I've got loads more radiators than you! My installer had a waiting list of about 2 months, but I should imagine at this time of year there's less demand, so less delay. The actual installation took about 4 days all told including radiators and cost me £3500 for a Vaillant boiler. TBH I didn't shop around on price because I had a regualar gas guy/plumber that I use and his price seemed fair.

I just told him I wanted a combi and where I wanted it and left him to advise on make and size. All modern boilers are condensing, so you don't really need to worry about that, but there are various other things that a good installation should include , such as a flush and a magnaclean or equivalent. I don't know the details about these - but there are plenty of people who can tell you exactly what you should expect.

How much disruption there is will depend on where the new boiler is going, but for me floorboards had to come up in two bedrooms.

The only complexity I can see with what you've written is the mention of replacing the firefront. You'd have to discuss this specifically with anyone who's coming round to quote because that would not be an automatic thing. Also be sure to discuss exactly what will come out and what level of tidying up will be done around the sites of the old boiler and tanks.

noodlepie

Get a few quotes and never pay a deposite to anyone also pay about 2 weeks after completion because no doubt you will find something wrong and need to get them back. This is normal.
I know a company in the northwest who are very good if you P.M. me. Stockport and Greater Manchester Area.
BG charge a fortune and are no better that the medium size companies.
Choose a Vaillant or a Worcester. Negotiate a 5 year warranty. Fix servicing cost for 5 years with the warranty. Get a Magnaclean or eqivelent filtration device fitted.
You want a 28kw combination boiler, as a minimum, (if you have 1 bathroom), like a Vaillant EcoTech Pro 28. This will give you the hot water flow you want.
Simple

MX5huggy

Anyway I'm a bit confuddled about the types of boiler available, whats the difference between a condensing and combi, and what is a "traditional" boiler?? I see there is a lot of talk about the kw power of the boilers, is it a case of the higher the better?

Its combi (instant unlimited hot water heated on demand but struggles if more than one hot tap is used at a time) vs traditional (with a hot water tank as you have now, also known as system or regular boiler).

Condensing means the boiler is more efficient than a non condensing but for all practical purposes you cant buy a non condensing any more you get condensing combi's and condensing traditional.

There is a difference between regular and system but you don't need to think about it if you want a combi.

Canucklehead

Hi


This might help get to grips with the terminology.

My preference is to install boilers with stainless steel heat exchangers.

Vaillant ,Viessmann or Remeha. in no order of preference.

GSR.

ormus

theres more spam on here than in a monty python sketch.

ormus

theres more spam on here than in a monty python sketch.

gas4you

noodlepie wrote: »

Get a few quotes and never pay a deposite to anyone also pay about 2 weeks after completion because no doubt you will find something wrong and need to get them back. This is normal.

Far from normal. My terms are strictly payment on day of completion. I'm a heating engineer, not a loan company. On the rare occasion I have any invoices that are not settled in full by the required date, the customer gets charges £20 + VAT for each subsequent reminder. They soon pay up:)

A good engineer won't have any reason to have to come back that quick.

Owain_Moneysaver

How many baths/showers do you have? Combi boilers do give instant hot water but the temp/flow can be rather sluggish.

Some Glow Worm back boilers are Energy Rated G and may be eligible for free replacement - there was a scheme in Scotland recently for G Rated boilers. Try Energy Saving Trust or your local council / Energy Advice Centre.

mankybat

Thanks for the replies, given us lots to think about.

I wasn't in to speak to BG myself (my partner was in) but got a quote of £3534 from them today, even to me that seemed pretty steep and didn't include any radiator replacements.

I'm going to do some general tooting on the net to get myself familiar with the work quoted and the relevant individual "bits" so its a bit clearer.

The BG guy spoke of putting the flue straight up to the roof, and the recommended boiler was a Worcester Greenstar 28iHigh Efficiency Boiler (priced at 800) seems like roughly 900 quid is for the actual installation, with another 1700 ish for materials, pipework, flue, filter and thermostat/value stuff.

Is a "system water treatment & powercleanse" the equivalent of Magnaclean? There isn't any mention of a flush which was mentioned by Dander, and i'm not sure if they quoted for physical removal of the old boiler from behind the fire (my better half forgot to ask doh)

To Owain : the Boiler Scrappage Scheme has apparently ended now so we wouldnt be entitled, neither are we entitled to any grant or anything (the story of our lives lol ) I'm not sure if it was that old a boiler than it would have such a low efficiency but without digging out the paperwork to find the model I couldn't say for defo.

Oh and we only have one bath, no shower as yet but we definitely will be looking to have one fitted as soon as the boiler is sorted.

I'm going to get in touch with some independent peops this weekend and get some more quotes and see if they come up with a similar idea of what actually needs doing.

Thanks again everyone, very much appreciated, no doubt I'll be posting again once I'd got my head round all the lingo

Pam
:grouphug:

warmgas

The boiler that BG have quoted you for is worcester's budget boiler. You can't even control the temperature of your domestic hot water as there is only a control for your central heating temperature.

You will get cheaper quotes and a superior boiler from local independants.

Have to agree with the boiler suggestions by Canucklehead!