28 year old gas boiler

AuntyJean

Firstly I will begin by saying I have not read all posts thouroughly so forgive me if I say anything already said.

When you talk about a gas boiler are you talking about central heating? If so I would say that 20+ years ago I had a Vailant Combi installed and it is still going strong (touch wood) although I did recently have to have the thermostats (or whatever they are) replaced on the radiators which is nothing to do with the combi. Had the pump replaced once about 15 years ago.

Now, having lived in a different house with a Baxi Bermuda back boiler everything was fine until there was a gas leak. This eminated from the fire which was apparently linked to the boiler and as they no longer made fires suitable for the boiler (I still don't get this) we had to have the whole central heating system replaced.

I read through various forums on this website and sought advice and in the end went for a Worcester Bosch. The spec I chose was bigger than recommended and suitable for a 5 bedroomed house (17 rads). The water tank in the loft was removed (great, one less problem to worry about) and the combi was sited in the airing cupboard in the main bedroom. I was not aware that a large grey pipe would be running from the airing cupboard to the outside wall! Then, hot water. What hot water!! You could hold your hand under the hot water tap after it had been running for 20 minutes!. It takes at least 5 to get hot with dial turned up to maxium (Thank goodness we are not on a water meter). Rads were flushed as part of the installation. In the midst of winter last year (our first with the combi) we were considering buying an electric fire!

Having had Worcester Bosch inspect the combi free of charge and pronounce it working properly and compairing it to the Vailant in the other property I would personally go for Vailant every time.

Cost in November 2005 for full installation of combi without replacement rads but to flush the system was £2,300 for a 2 bedroomed mid terrace.

If I could have held onto the back boiler I would have.
Hope this helps.

skim

I'm in the Glow worm gang too - got a 31 year old Glow Worm Majorca II back boiler & it's still going strong. I've had a pump & a thermostat go in the 13 years I've been living here & it's cost me all of £200 over that time.

You can still get parts for the glow worm stuff. Theres a link on the glow worm website somewhere to a parts supplier in Leeds or somewhere.

givememoney

We thought we may have to get rid of the old girl as the pilot light kept going out.

Hubby took the front off and blew then sucked (with cleaner by the way) years of dust out of the pilot and hey presto we now have nice blue flame.

He says the burners are as good as new.

Good for another 20 years now we hope.