condensing boiler heat water into cylinder v combi

Johnandabby

Decision between using combi or cylinder system would normally be made on the number of bathrooms in the property, as combi boilers have limited hot water provision (as they heat the water as it's needed, rather than from a preheated store) - 1 bathroom and kitchen would be ok for a combi, whereas a higher number of bathrooms/en-suites would normally require a boiler and cylinder. Otherwise there could be issues running two hot taps/showers at the same time.

Keep the current system, but make sure that the cylinder is well insulated, that the thermostat in the cylinder is set to maximum of 60oC, and that the control system has separate time control for the cylinder from the heating system - if this is set-up correctly there shouldn't be any additional running costs than compared to a combi system. Personally, I prefer having the system boiler run for 20 mins to heat up the cylinder twice a day rather than having the combi boiler kick in and out for a few seconds every time the other half quickly washes her hands under the hot tap......

phil_51

Confused.....

Baxi Solo condensing boiler, on the baxi website it says this is for heating only.

There are only two pipes coming out of boiler plus gas pipe.

How does this heat the water in the immersion tank and rads.

The boiler definitely heats the water, I even checked Elec meter was not spinning when wAter heater timer was on!

It is a British gas install. Also has a magni clean.(spell?) Fitted in loft.

espresso

phil_51 wrote: »

Confused.....

Baxi Solo condensing boiler, on the baxi website it says this is for heating only.

There are only two pipes coming out of boiler plus gas pipe.

How does this heat the water in the immersion tank and rads.

The boiler definitely heats the water, I even checked Elec meter was not spinning when wAter heater timer was on!

It is a British gas install. Also has a magni clean.(spell?) Fitted in loft.

As you are confused and clueless, why are you advising your mother on this!

karl-123

combi boilers are easy to repair poster
stay on this forum

the flow function of the live circuit
the flow function of hot water
the flow function of flow and return
the flow function of valves/switches
mechanics and electrics are easy when shown/described

phil_51

espresso wrote: »

As you are confused and clueless, why are you advising your mother on this!

As she is 70, on pension and I will be paying for all the work needed on the property inc new kitchen bathroom etc to bring it up to a decent standard.

As the immersion heater looks pretty old I did't think it would have a heating coil inside it, obviously it must have, and some sort of valve.

Personally always had a combination boiler and used to nothing else.

Thanks for your constructive reply, NOT!

plumb1_2

phil_51 wrote: »

Confused.....

Baxi Solo condensing boiler, on the baxi website it says this is for heating only.

There are only two pipes coming out of boiler plus gas pipe.

QUOTE]
Yep it heats the rads and the hot water, most boilers only have 2 pipes (flow/return) unless it can be used for gravity hot water then 4. Glowworm Ultimate etc.

Go with the advice already given, keep the system you have.
As for installing a shower pump, you will have to install a 50 gall CWS tank also.

phil_51

Found this useful website on cost.....

http://www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk/index.php/energy-saving-tips/hot-water/87-shower-or-power-shower

plumb1_2

phil_51 wrote: »

Found this useful website on cost.....

http://www.confusedaboutenergy.co.uk/index.php/energy-saving-tips/hot-water/87-shower-or-power-shower

And what is your point Phil????

Personaly i would have a electric shower(i have) if the gas boiler brakes down( no hot water), you can always have shower. But saying that you should have a imersion heater fitted into the cylinder.

Aquatronixjenny

phil_51 wrote: »

Confused.....

Baxi Solo condensing boiler, on the baxi website it says this is for heating only.

There are only two pipes coming out of boiler plus gas pipe.

How does this heat the water in the immersion tank and rads.

The boiler definitely heats the water, I even checked Elec meter was not spinning when wAter heater timer was on!

It is a British gas install. Also has a magni clean.(spell?) Fitted in loft.

Pipes coming from boiler go through special valve that diverts either to hot water tank (when water needs to be heated) or radiators (when its cold). This valve can usually be found in your airing cupboard (next to the immersion tank) and is either a silver or white square box located on the pipe work.

Aquatronixjenny

phil_51 wrote: »

Confused.....

Baxi Solo condensing boiler, on the baxi website it says this is for heating only.

There are only two pipes coming out of boiler plus gas pipe.

How does this heat the water in the immersion tank and rads.

The boiler definitely heats the water, I even checked Elec meter was not spinning when wAter heater timer was on!

It is a British gas install. Also has a magni clean.(spell?) Fitted in loft.

And I think you are confusing 'Heating only' with 'Heat only'