Pathway to new boiler

whizzing

We need a new boiler as the one we have is 15 years old. Sometimes fails to come on and when we get maintenance out they often have a job to get the part.
The decision to get rid of the old one is made but what I want to know is how do I decide on what new one to get - conventional, combi or open vent. I think that is the options.
We did have somone from the Gas company out but they were combi,combi,combi without really justifying why. How do you decide?
Once I've got that bit out of the way no doubt I will be back for more advice !!

sunshinetours

Are you using British Gas for maintenace? If so maybe find a decent local Gas Safe engineer who quite possibly won't have same "problem" getting parts ie won't be trying to tell you constantly you need a a new boiler

You may find then you don't need a new boiler just need the current one properly servicing

southcoastrgi

+1 on above what is your currant boiler ?

C_Mababejive

make/model/statement of issues please..!

get one like mine..its 32 years old.

See here...

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjCL5BX9

Simple technology,few bits to go wrong,doesnt need a big gas supply with minimum pressures,costs about £34pcm to do heating,hot water (also have gas cooker) and after its initial firing,it only fires infrequently to top up the heat. System is fully pumped with twin channel independent controller and three port diverter and fortic hot water cylinder in a two bedroom house.
Currently set to about 38,000Btu/hr

Ectophile

You don't say what sort of boiler you currently have. Unless you actually want to change, it's likely to be cheapest and easiest to just get a new boiler of the same type.

And it's definitely worth trying a few reputable local companies for quotes, not just the big nationals.

whizzing

We definately need a new boiler. We need to have confidence it will come on every day. Also surely if it is more efficient it will save us money?
What I m struggling with is how to decide what kind of new one I want?

macman

Give the info reqested and you will get some answers. Make/model, and current issues? Is it a combi?
Yes, a new condensing boiler is more efficient, but at current gas prices it will probably take you at least 10 years to recover the install cost-which may be more than the life of the new boiler.
A combi may not even be suitable for your property. Has the RGI who quoted done a proper site survey of your gas and water supply (pressure/flow test/gas supply pipe size)? Subject to that, has he asked you about combi suitability in term of your lifestyle? If not, you can be pretty sure that his suggestion of a combi is based on a higher margin for him, not what is best for you.
If 'someone from the gas company' was BG, then you are aware that BG charge around 40% more than a typical independent RGI for a new install? And that BG often fail to find parts that independents can locate with ease?

sunshinetours

whizzing wrote: »

We definately need a new boiler. We need to have confidence it will come on every day. Also surely if it is more efficient it will save us money?
What I m struggling with is how to decide what kind of new one I want?

Point i was making if you get a decent RGI to service and repair any bits that do need repairing it may well become reliable. If BG are doing it it probably isn't being fixed properly as they just want to sell you a new one

Ours is over 20 years old and (touch wood) still reliable with a annual service by a local trusted RGI who does more than wave a wand over it and take a few readings

As Macman says the payback period on new boilers is generally on average 10 years or more and on new boilers there are far more (expensive) electronics to go wrong

Biggles

whizzing wrote: »

We definitely need a new boiler.

No, you just need a boiler that works. Yours isn't old. it just needs proper maintenance, which it isn't getting.

C_Mababejive wrote: »

get one like mine..its 32 years old.

Mine's a mere 30 years old (Potterton Netaheat). Still working well, maintained by an independent gasfitter.

C_Mababejive

#9 Well done Biggles

Potterton Netaheat..again one of the best boilers ever made. Innovative in its day and yet incredibly reliable.