New boiler/tank question - sorry if wrong place for post

myriadabellium

I wasn't sure where to post this! Sorry if it's in the wrong place.

Basically our elec and gas is horribly expensive :eek: (£59 per month electricity, £94 per month gas). We're not paying off arrears or anything - those are our actual instalments based on usage! We have changed utility companies a couple of times but at the end of the day, our bills are high because we have a big, old house (Victorian terrace, 3 storeys) and although it's well insulated the central heating system and boiler are absolutely ancient.

I made an appointment with British Gas for an engineer to visit and assess the boiler etc and he came today. He said that we need to replace the ancient boiler with a new condensing one with pump assisted central heating and hot water (more efficient) and also get a new tank, plus put thermostatic controls on all 11 radiators and put in a new flue. Total price £4,700.

This seems a really high price to me, what does anyone else think? I'm planning to get some local firms to come and quote for the same job. We don't have that sort of cash just saved as we were both students until recently and have young children, so we'd be looking at a loan or remortgaging, but this would be offset by the saving on gas bills (estimated at 45% minimum by the fella who came today). I do think that an overhaul of the heating system would increase the value of the house but that's not really an issue as we don't plan to move in the next 10 years really.

Any advice appreciated, from anyone who is wiser than me - I know NOTHING about house stuff, or DIY, or anything like that....What would you do? Thanks if you've got this far and sorry it's long

espresso

Please do get a few other quotes from local heating companies as BG are always the most expensive, just like their HomeCare maintenance contracts.

myriadabellium

espresso wrote:

Please do get a few other quotes from local heating companies as BG are always the most expensive, just like their HomeCare maintenance contracts.

Yes, that's what I thought too - I thought I'd get a basic idea of what needed doing before I got lots of quotes (yes I am that much of a dunce about this stuff!)

Cardew

BG do have a reputation for charging the most, but you do get a decent garantee and some free servicing.

I would certainly get other quotes but make sure you get detailed in writing what that quote consists of - type of boiler, size of tank VAT included etc etc

If BG are close I would favour them.

Lastly I hate to be a pessimist but I would be really surprised if a new boiler and system would give savings of 45% on a well insulated house.

Skiduck

Cardew wrote:

BG do have a reputation for charging the most, but you do get a decent garantee and some free servicing.

I would certainly get other quotes but make sure you get detailed in writing what that quote consists of - type of boiler, size of tank VAT included etc etc

If BG are close I would favour them.

Lastly I hate to be a pessimist but I would be really surprised if a new boiler and system would give savings of 45% on a well insulated house.

https://www.sedbuk.com would give you the answer, depending on the OP's old boiler and the new one quoted. I would say about 35% from a very old boiler (70's) to a new one.

caveat_emptor

I am just about to replace a 25 year old combi with a new condenser. The old boiler is 80% efficient ( 25kw goes in 20kw comes out) the new one is 90% efficient, so increase in efficiency is only about 12%. Good advice from albertross, invest in TRVs first. They're not difficult to fit so can be a DIY job, but does mean draining the system so needs to be done before you need heating.

Skiduck

caveat_emptor wrote:

I am just about to replace a 25 year old combi with a new condenser. The old boiler is 80% efficient ( 25kw goes in 20kw comes out) the new one is 90% efficient, so increase in efficiency is only about 12%. Good advice from albertross, invest in TRVs first. They're not difficult to fit so can be a DIY job, but does mean draining the system so needs to be done before you need heating.

that is very good for an old boiler (equivelent to todays Band B boilers) - the database is worth checking before changing your boiler. I have seen a few that are the effeciency of yours. Our last one was just under 60%.

myriadabellium

Skiduck wrote:

https://www.sedbuk.com would give you the answer, depending on the OP's old boiler and the new one quoted. I would say about 35% from a very old boiler (70's) to a new one.

It's 1980s I think...the fella today said it's the sort they have in chip shops?!! :rotfl:

myriadabellium

albertross wrote:

45% seems a lot to me, and your current gas bill is not massive in the current climate, but it is highish. It will take you 10 years to get your money back even at that 45% level of saving.

Personally I'd get 11 TRV's, which should cost around £30 each fitted, make sure they are set at a reasonable level, turn them down to the lowest settings in rooms that you don't use much, check all draft proofing, and see how much you save over the winter. The TRV's will direct the heat to where it's needed, instead of continually pumping it out at full blast in every room.

If nothing changes, you can then go ahead later, when your finances might have improved a bit.

That's a good idea - our finances will improve next year as I'll finally qualify as a solicitor so a bit more money - I hope ;-)!! The BG quote included TRVs at £34 each...

Skiduck

myriadabellium wrote:

It's 1980s I think...the fella today said it's the sort they have in chip shops?!! :rotfl:

have u checked the database? if not, give me the make and model and I'll do it - I'll also tell you if there are any known issues with parts etc and if it is worth considering replacing due to other issues.

saver_sam

We had our boiler replaced in Dec last year, along with the hot water tank and adding new thermostats to 7 radiators cost us £2400.

Can't say if the gas bills have changed as the charges have gone up so much!