Water tank vs Combi boiler help

Letchmore

hi there,

apologies for my first post being one that asks for help, but i thought this would the right place to come!

we need some advice on boilers - on whether to upgrade our existing boiler system and water tank or go for a combi boiler?

we have an old (1910) 2 bed semi, with an upstairs bathroom with elecrtric shower. the boiler is in the kitchen and the tank in the airing cupboard in the bathroom. moving / losing the water tank & airing cupboard could be a benefit as we're looking to re-fit the bathroom and the space would be handy, though not essential.

we'd be happy to consider moving the boiler when we extend the kitchen.

there are only the 2 of us for the time being and we're both out all day, but we would like to add a 3rd bedroom and the rear kitchen extension at some point.

we also live in a very hard water area, so i don't know whether that would affect things? we use the shower more than the bath.

thanks very much in advance - we'd really appreciate the benefit of your opinion.

victor2

I have a similar situation. My old boiler (I'm safe, she's out!;)) is a non-condensing type and is in a separate utility room. It's over 20 years old, so is not the most efficient but is working well.
I have figured the cost of installing a new boiler, the necessary drainage and exhaust for it would be way beyond any payback in savings made in the cost of gas throughout the life of the boiler, which is likely to be considerably less than the current one.
While getting extra bathroom space from removing the existing water tank, we manage quite well as things are and the cupboard above it is useful storage space. We have an electric shower and would like to extend the downstairs toilet so that it could have a shower in it, but I feel that would also have to be electric.
Doesn't really answer your question I'm afraid, but it will be interesting to hear the other side of the argument.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum

The first question to ask is why do you need to upgrade your boiler? There are loads of threads here where the merits of keeping an old boiler running is felt to be the best option. New condensing boilers are stuffed full of electronics and very expensive to repair. As said above you will never recoup the replacements costs in the life of the new boiler.

Read this:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2930080

Canucklehead

Letchmore wrote: »

hi there,

apologies for my first post being one that asks for help, but i thought this would the right place to come!

we need some advice on boilers - on whether to upgrade our existing boiler system and water tank or go for a combi boiler?

we have an old (1910) 2 bed semi, with an upstairs bathroom with elecrtric shower. the boiler is in the kitchen and the tank in the airing cupboard in the bathroom. moving / losing the water tank & airing cupboard could be a benefit as we're looking to re-fit the bathroom and the space would be handy, though not essential.

we'd be happy to consider moving the boiler when we extend the kitchen.

there are only the 2 of us for the time being and we're both out all day, but we would like to add a 3rd bedroom and the rear kitchen extension at some point.

we also live in a very hard water area, so i don't know whether that would affect things? we use the shower more than the bath.

thanks very much in advance - we'd really appreciate the benefit of your opinion.

Good evening: excellent advice is available from the HHIC and the Energy Saving Trust but a RGI, after conducting a site survey and discussing your requirements, would be best placed to advice.

Let us know how you get on.

HTH

Canucklehead

Letchmore

Cardew wrote: »

Welcome to the forum

The first question to ask is why do you need to upgrade your boiler? There are loads of threads here where the merits of keeping an old boiler running is felt to be the best option. New condensing boilers are stuffed full of electronics and very expensive to repair. As said above you will never recoup the replacements costs in the life of the new boiler.

Read this:

link

thank you.

we looking to upgrade as we want to open the kitchen and old, untouched utility room into an open plan kitchen / diner extension. the wall where the boiler is currently sited will probably be knocked down and we'd like to hide the new one away in a purpose built cubby hole / cupboard thing when the extension is built.

the existing boiler is basically a bodge job from the pervious (builder) owner. it knocks and rattles and i just feel it's not very efficient, and i don't know if it would cope if and when we add the 3rd bedroom.

thank you for the link - i shall investigate.

Letchmore

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good evening: excellent advice is available from the HHIC and Energy Saving Trust but a RGI, after conducting a site survey and discussing your requirements, would be best placed to advice.

Let us know how you get on.

HTH

Canucklehead

that's very helpful, thank you.

will keep you posted.