when buying a new Combi Boiler...what to consider

linda_brew

OH is looking to replace our current combi boiler (its about 7 years old) with a new combi boiler.

As we are having some building works done, which will include moving the existing boiler, it would be ideal time to replace it.

I am wondering what are the key things we should consider when picking a new combi boiler?

Its a 1900s terrace house over 3 floors with 14 radiators and 2 showers.

thanks

southcoastrgi

hot water flow rate is what you need to look at, domestic combi's go from 24kw to 40kw, the higher the output the faster your hot water will come out the taps, as a guide 28kw = 9 ltrs/min 39kw = 16 ltrs/min, this might not sound like a big diff but you would be surprised, go for the highest output you can justify, don't worry about the heating side they will all be ok for that it's hot water you need to concentrate on, myself i wouldn't fit anything less than a 28kw, 35kw is a happy medium between cost & performance.

I only ever recommend broag boilers link below, been fitting them for 6 yrs & never had a prob that couldn't be sorted over the phone with the customer.

http://www.remehaheating.co.uk/

Canucklehead

linda_brew wrote: »

OH is looking to replace our current combi boiler (its about 7 years old) with a new combi boiler.

As we are having some building works done, which will include moving the existing boiler, it would be ideal time to replace it.

I am wondering what are the key things we should consider when picking a new combi boiler?

Its a 1900s terrace house over 3 floors with 14 radiators and 2 showers.

thanks

Good morning: what is the make and model of your current combi? The mains pressure/flow rates of your water supply will have implications for potential upsizing as will your gas supply. You also need to consider your DHW demands. A RGI, after conducting a site survey and discussing your requirements, would be best placed to advise.

Remember..a boiler is only as good as its installation and annual servicing. Lots of bodging going on out there. More advice here.

HTH

Canucklehead

linda_brew

keithgillyon wrote: »

hot water flow rate is what you need to look at, domestic combi's go from 24kw to 40kw, the higher the output the faster your hot water will come out the taps, as a guide 28kw = 9 ltrs/min 39kw = 16 ltrs/min, this might not sound like a big diff but you would be surprised, go for the highest output you can justify, don't worry about the heating side they will all be ok for that it's hot water you need to concentrate on, myself i wouldn't fit anything less than a 28kw, 35kw is a happy medium between cost & performance.

I only ever recommend broag boilers link below, been fitting them for 6 yrs & never had a prob that couldn't be sorted over the phone with the customer.

http://www.remehaheating.co.uk/

thanks very very much. thats very helpful and clear.

I was wondering what the difference between boilers was with so many different ones available.

is broag a manufacturer of boilers?

what do you think of baxi, valliant, worcester, ariston or maybe you can recommend other brands?

can you recommend some online shops where I can view prices?

linda_brew

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good morning: what is the make and model of your current combi? The mains pressure/flow rates of your water supply will have implications for potential upsizing as will your gas supply. You also need to consider your DHW demands. A RGI, after conducting a site survey and discussing your requirements, would be best placed to advise.

Remember..a boiler is only as good as its installation and annual servicing. Lots of bodging going on out there. More advice here.

HTH

Canucklehead

The boiler is a Jaguar Combi 28kw. Manufactured by Hepworth Heating for the Plumb Center.

It seems to heat all the radiators fine apart from 2nd floor (loft). The water out of the shower is warm (not hot) in winter. Not sure if thats a boiler issue or something else. In off state pressure is around 0.9 and when heating is on it rises to 2.6.

We intend to get an extension to our kitchen done. The wall the boiler is on at the moment will need to come down hence an opportunity to change.

katejo

linda_brew wrote: »

thanks very very much. thats very helpful and clear.

I was wondering what the difference between boilers was with so many different ones available.

is broag a manufacturer of boilers?

what do you think of baxi, valliant, worcester or maybe you can recommend other brands?

can you recommend some online shops where I can view prices?

I am not a boiler expert but can tell you that I have a 1900 built terraced house (2 storey so smaller) with a Vaillant boiler. It is now 9 years old (3 when i bought the house) and it has worked really well. It has been serviced every year. It is much better than the old Saunier Duval combi in my old flat (not a good make). I have had no probs at all with it (except that i find the keys which open it to release water fiddly )

southcoastrgi

linda_brew wrote: »

thanks very very much. thats very helpful and clear.

I was wondering what the difference between boilers was with so many different ones available.

is broag a manufacturer of boilers?

what do you think of baxi, valliant, worcester or maybe you can recommend other brands?

can you recommend some online shops where I can view prices?

yes broag is a manufacturer of boilers although they have recently joined the baxi group (check out their web site i gave you the link remaha broag), saying that i wouldn't fit a baxi or one of the cheap makes, valliant used to be a good make however they seemed to have gone down hill abit recently, worcester are good boilers but you pay for the name & most of them are a nightmare to work on (which in turn will put any repair bills up, eg 3 hrs to change a pressure relief valve just because they decide to fit it right at the back behind the pump),

l only get paid to do the job once & as much as i like your tea i really don't wanna be spending hrs in your house trying to fix a boiler for no money, so the only boiler that i would recommend is the broag, others on here may have diff idea's. sorry don't know of any on-line shops, but remember you may save a few ££ buying it yourself BUT if you have a prob with it don't expect your fitter to come back & sort it foc, i give 12 months hassle free warentee if i supply the boiler, but if you supply it i will charge for every visit, bit like a car take it back to where you bought it & they should fix it, take it somewhere else & they will charge you, get someone in to give you a price, best of luck

travellerboy

Canucklehead wrote: »

Remember..a boiler is only as good as its installation and annual servicing. Lots of bodging going on out there.

Canucklehead

Annual service - Is anything really done?

A good CO monitor is a better investment

ormus

for a large house with lots of rads and two bathrooms, you may want to consider splitting it into two zones by using two smaller boilers.

doggyvonne

We installed a new Worcester Bosch Combi boiler last year on the whole we are happy but it did cause some problems with old pipework at first. The house was built 1973 and there was old pipework under a new bathroom hard to access. The pressure of the new boiler burst joints in old pipes and a faulty washer and valve caused further leaks. We could not take out new bath whcih was solid tiled surrounds and box tiled pipes so had to go in underneath thtough kitchen ceiling. This meant replastering of course a new ceiling but further to that there was a delay and scare because as it was Old Artex they had to test it for Asbestos.
Make sure your existing pipe work is good before installing your combi boiler.
I have some issues to post of my own regarding the running costs of the system but I cant find a way of adding a new post of my own?

linda_brew

doggyvonne wrote: »

We installed a new Worcester Bosch Combi boiler last year on the whole we are happy but it did cause some problems with old pipework at first. The house was built 1973 and there was old pipework under a new bathroom hard to access. The pressure of the new boiler burst joints in old pipes and a faulty washer and valve caused further leaks. We could not take out new bath whcih was solid tiled surrounds and box tiled pipes so had to go in underneath thtough kitchen ceiling. This meant replastering of course a new ceiling but further to that there was a delay and scare because as it was Old Artex they had to test it for Asbestos.
Make sure your existing pipe work is good before installing your combi boiler.
I have some issues to post of my own regarding the running costs of the system but I cant find a way of adding a new post of my own?

as we are replacing an existing combi, hopefully if should be ok, but your points are well worth considering and I shall ask the installer.