'Combi boilers are just for flats'? Update: Rate my quote!

PeteW

Hi,

We've got a ~20 year old regular heating system in place (hot water tank above, cold water tank in loft), but the boiler has just died so I'm getting quotes for a replacement.

I was expecting people to suggest replacing the old system with a more modern/efficient combi boiler, but the first fitter to provide a quote has recommended a Worcester Bosch 18Ri regular boiler. I asked why not a combi and he said:

"We normally only recommend a combination boiler for flats as they are generally designed for small properties with minimal hot water demand"

Does that sound right? We are in a 3-bed semi so it's not like it's a massive house. Interested to see if the other fitters coming round to quote will agree with this.

Cheers

Pete

JSR

Combi boilers can only really provide hot water to one tap at a time. On the upside the hot water is endless and doesn't run out when the tank is empty. So I suppose the choice depends on whether you all take showers at the same time (tank) or take turns (combi).

victor2

I could be facing a similar decision if/when my old boiler dies.
We have an electric shower and rarely have baths, so I would think a combi will be the way to go for us. It'll be a lot of plumbing work, but will get rid of the hot water tank and give us some extra storage space. If you have a shower fed off the hot water supply then I believe a combi is still an option, but it has to be one capable of handling the flow you require.

NeverEnough

????? Sounds like you need a different gas fitter.......perhaps they bought up stocks of ancient technology boilers and think you're an idiot........

We have a large Victorian semi and had a new combi fitted 7 years ago......no problems and it runs 11 radiators plus the hot water.

Your wannabee supplier is having you on......I would ditch them immediately and go elsewhere, that's the most ridiculous "advice" I've ever heard......

Given the age of your system, though, you may need new radiators to cope with the higher pressures in the modern systems, but I would definitely get a decent fitter to quote, this crowd sound like they're having you on.

MCLF

Hi Pete,
we have a combi boiler in our 3 bedroom semi. There are 3 adults in the house. Due to disabilities / illnesses our house is occupied pretty much 24/7.

The shower isn't heated by the boiler and our washing machine is cold fill.

The boiler was installed 18 months ago so it's coped with two very cold winters. We've been delighted with it. It costs much less to run than our old system, heats up very quickly and hot water is always there when we need it.

During the summer, when we are just using hot water, it's very cheap and again the hot water is quickly available.

This is just my experience as a consumer, but if I had a choice I would opt for a combi again.

HappyMJ

Yes. They must have asked you questions about your hot water usage and how you answered them determines the recommendation given. Not all fitters will give the same opinion you'll get ones that will only ever recommend combi boilers.

espresso

NeverEnough wrote: »

????? Sounds like you need a different gas fitter.......perhaps they bought up stocks of ancient technology boilers and think you're an idiot........

We have a large Victorian semi and had a new combi fitted 7 years ago......no problems and it runs 11 radiators plus the hot water.

Your wannabee supplier is having you on......I would ditch them immediately and go elsewhere, that's the most ridiculous "advice" I've ever heard......

Given the age of your system, though, you may need new radiators to cope with the higher pressures in the modern systems, but I would definitely get a decent fitter to quote, this crowd sound like they're having you on.

I think that it is you who does not understand the limitations of combi boilers! The central heating side is not the issue but running a bath can be painfully slow with a combi. The mains water pressure should first be tested to ensure that there is adequate pressure but combis can only heat water at a limited flow rate. I would never replace a system boiler with a combi boiler and I don't think that the advice given was wrong or he thinks that the OP is an idiot.

HappyMJ

espresso wrote: »

I think that it is you who does not understand the limitations of combi boilers! The central heating side is not the issue but running a bath can be painfully slow with a combi. The mains water pressure should first be tested to ensure that there is adequate pressure but combis can only heat water at a limited flow rate. I would never replace a system boiler with a combi boiler and I don't think that the advice given was wrong or he thinks that the OP is an idiot.

Thanks espresso...I was wondering how to answer that post. Suggesting the OP buys all new radiators and removes the cylinder and cold water tank will only add cost. A simple boiler replacement is going to be the cheapest option and still meet all the requirements. I'm the same as you I couldn't stand waiting 10 minutes to fill the bath. My bath fills up in under a minute.

elsien

Depends on your circumstances. My mother had a combi boiler system fitted into a large old house which she turned into a nursery school with a flat above off the same system. Whenever the nursery was using hot water, the flat didn't get any, so not great when I was half way through a shower and the water vanished. Not a major problem as the flat was generally empty when the nursery was open but I could see that it would be very annoying in a house with various en-suites with everyone using them at once.
However my brother has a combi boiler in his 5 bedroom house and it works fine for them, as the showers are electric, the washing machine is cold feed and the family doesn't use lots of hot water at the same time. So they've never had a problem and are perfectly happy with it.
When I was looking into it I got different answers off different people as well, from British Gas (it'll be fine) to a local independent who just hated combis and didn't want to fit them. The majority agreed that as I was on a communal water supply with several other houses a combi wasn't recommended due to the fluctuating water pressure. Once that was sorted out with Severn Trent, it wasn't so much of an issue, although I did have to have the gas supply upgraded as well. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer as such.
And my bath is now definitely much slower to fill than on the old system. But I wanted the extra space freed up by the tank.

Canucklehead

PeteW wrote: »

Hi,

We've got a ~20 year old regular heating system in place (hot water tank above, cold water tank in loft), but the boiler has just died so I'm getting quotes for a replacement.

I was expecting people to suggest replacing the old system with a more modern/efficient combi boiler, but the first fitter to provide a quote has recommended a Worcester Bosch 18Ri regular boiler. I asked why not a combi and he said:

"We normally only recommend a combination boiler for flats as they are generally designed for small properties with minimal hot water demand"

Does that sound right? We are in a 3-bed semi so it's not like it's a massive house. Interested to see if the other fitters coming round to quote will agree with this.

Cheers

Pete

Hi...for those who haven't seen it, the OP has another thread running here.

Canucklehead

Sublime_2

I had a brand new combi boiler fitted for my 3-bedroom house. Its a top of the range Baxi Duo-Tech A range. It works a treat, and is very economical.