Yet another Boiler Question

Hobsons_Choice

Sorry about this, but shouldn't take long - we're going to replace our 12 year old 'Halstead Finest Gold' combi boiler, do we HAVE to have a condensor boiler now?
It would mean a major job and we're both pensioners and could really do without all the hassle!
Thankyou

penrhyn

If you already have a combi, then changing to a condensing combi should be straightforward, the only addition to the current set up is the condensate pipe.

............and the answer is yes you do.....blame Prescott.

PS Wahts wrong with the boiler atm?

Hobsons_Choice

Thanks for the reply. The boiler is in the airing cupboard at the top of the stairs and to get the necessary pipe going out of the house would mean taking up the bathroom floor or running it down through the kitchen, taking out a cupboard to do it. We've only recently had the kitchen refurbished and the bathroom floor has plywood laid over the floorboards and expensive vinyl over that! The house is a 1970s detached with three bedrooms and one bathroom (if that helps).
I blame Prescott for a lot of things, this will just be added!:mad:. The present boiler is about 12 years old and soon we won't be able to get parts (our man says). It's filling very very slowly and isn't very efficient.

Leif

I take it you mean the flue. You can send it up through the roof via the loft, a bit of added cost but not that much. You could even move the boiler into the loft, though it is less accessible and if you are not young you might not want that.

martinthebandit

I suggest you talk to the plumber or whoever is going to fit your new boiler, there is more than one way to fit a condensate pipe, and a good plumber will always find the 'best' way

penrhyn

No OP is talking about the condensate pipe.

I have heard of pumps for taking the condensate away so it might be possible to route it more conveniently, or T into the sink waste in the bathroom maybe.
I take it the airing cupboard is not on an outside wall, how is the pressure relief pipe routed currently?

http://www.orionairsales.co.uk/boiler-condensate-pump-little-giant-kit-vcma10-35m-head-1337-p.asp

Could make a water feature out of it:rotfl:

Leif

penrhyn wrote: »

No OP is talking about the condensate pipe.

Aha, that makes sense. I think you are suggesting this, but if it is an outside wall, or near one, you could route the condensate pipe through the outside wall.

penrhyn wrote: »

Could make a water feature out of it:rotfl:

A heated indoor swimming pool would be nice.

Hobsons_Choice

Sorry - I didn't make it clear about the pipe thingy (I'm SO technical)! The airing cupboard is on the landing, and there's a pipe going through the loft out to the roof - but I understand the new condensate pipe has to be horizontal?
So we don't have any choice and it has to be a condensing boiler? #sob#

martinthebandit

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Sorry - I didn't make it clear about the pipe thingy (I'm SO technical)! The airing cupboard is on the landing, and there's a pipe going through the loft out to the roof - but I understand the new condensate pipe has to be horizontal?
So we don't have any choice and it has to be a condensing boiler? #sob#

the condensate pipe does not have to be horizontal, if your plumber fits a pump it could quite easily go the same way as the existing overflow pipe.

To be honest you are far better getting someone in to quote you for it and see what they would plan to do with the pipework

gas4you

You will need another vertical flue for the new condensing boiler and a condensate pump to pump the condensate up and over, preferably discharging into a soil stack you may have in the loft.

Who has misled you with all these thoughts you have posted?

If it is a potential installer, then give him a wide berth and get someone in who knows what he is talking about.

macman

What is the make and model of your existing boiler? Someone can easily check if parts are available-at 12 years old this should not be an issue yet. 'Not filling very quickly' does not sound to me like a proper diagnosis. As for efficiency, yes, a condensing boiler will be more so, but it could take you 20 years to get back the capital outlay.
I suggest you get a second opinion from an independent local GSR RGI before you commit to a new boiler.