Combi Boiler or Conventional?

Canucklehead

Go with the normal condensing boiler as suggested.

Ozskin/Plumb1 You still need good mains pressure/volume to run an unvented cyl though don't you?

Corgi Guy.

plumb1_2

Canucklehead wrote:

Go with the normal condensing boiler as suggested.

Ozskin/Plumb1 You still need good mains pressure/volume to run an unvented cyl though don't you?

Corgi Guy.

Less than a combi;) CG, and a lower gas rate, and you always have the backup of having hot water(immersion heater) if your boiler fails.

We all have our favourates:cool:

jemball

I conclude that:

Combis are most suitable for small flats as part of a new installation.
Combis can be unreliable and run the heating system at a high pressure.
Combi boilers have a shorter life spanthan conventional ones.
Combis are simpler to install hence their possible pushing by some companies.

I still don't understand why some combis don't have a separate HW storage tank (say 1/3 of the normal cylinder) which could fit unobtrusively into most houses.

And I don't know why Ozkin advised an external pressure vessel for the unvented cylinder?

Anyway, I thank everyone for their most helpful advice which has led us to decide to have a new conventional boiler with an unvented cylinder in the roof.

tawnyowls

Well, I wouldn't entirely agree, and apologies for probably confusing you all over again! I had a Potterton combi in a 3-bed semi - granted, there were only 2 of us in the house, but it ran all the radiators and the hot water. It was still going strong 8 years later when we moved, having never been serviced and had a single visit from a repair man (who cleaned some gunk out and charged 200 quid for 20 mins work, but still a lot cheaper than a repair contract). If the houses we've since had hadn't already had systems installed, I would have chosen the combi again - the hot water was always piping hot, and we managed to run two showers together or turn on a hot/cold tap without freezing/scalding the person showering, and the electricity bills were lower than when we'd had the big cylinder. Plus, we put a tiny radiator into the airing cupboard once the cylinder was ripped out, which gave us loads of hanging space for drying clothes.

Canucklehead

Hi This might help explain about the expansion vessel............
http://www.plumbingpages.com/featurepages/HWdpsamazon2.cfm

Good decision ..Boiler/cylinder.

Corgi Guy.

ozskin

Dear Jemball, canucklehead has beaten me to it. A seperate vessel will not require the servicing of an internal, or calling a plumber to sort out any probs to repressure the system. Not seen this new tank before, but its not a big job to have an externally vessel, maybee an extra couple of hours work. but you do see a seperate small tank. Heres to happy power showering