Combi or Conventional Boiler

WLM21

We are looking to get a new boiler within the next few weeks ... in the New Year I suppose.

We live in a converted bungalow, with the following ..
Upstairs .... bedrooms, but no toilets or bathrooms
Downstairs .. Kitchen and single bathroom, with shower

Existing CH / HW system

Baxi 'back' boiler in lounge
Hot water tank in nearby room, which was replaced just a few years ago. It is a Hercal vented cylinder.

What would be better please ?

A combi, which would mean removing the tank and losing the airing cupboard.

A conventional boiler, to once again heat the water in the tank.

There are radiators in all rooms, although to be quite honest, the existing boiler is struggling to heat them all. Of course, when the back boiler was fitted, there were no rooms in the 'loft'

The cold water tank as well as a smaller tank are in the loft.

One more thing ... There is a slim chance that we may fit a small WC and WHB in the loft too.

Any advice would b appreciated.

Cardew

There are several threads on this subject if you do a search.

It is like asking people which is best - tea or coffee.

The undoubted disadvantage of a combi is the inability to provide a copious Hot Water supply - particularly if you have two bathrooms.

There is also no way that my wife would allow her airing cupboard to go.

On the other hand a Combi saves space.

I have both here - the combi in an annex - and a conventional boiler for me wins hands down - but that is just personal preference and doesn't mean those who prefer a combi are wrong.

southcoastrgi

just replace the back boiler with a heat only boiler, at the moment it is open vented you could stick with this or make the heating system sealed (doing away with the small tank in the roof), but this will put the heating system under pressure & you may find pipes/rads/pipework start to leak.

diywhynot

Get someone in to look at the job and discuss what you want. Tough to say what would suit from here.

HappyMJ

WLM21 wrote: »

We are looking to get a new boiler within the next few weeks ... in the New Year I suppose.

We live in a converted bungalow, with the following ..
Upstairs .... bedrooms, but no toilets or bathrooms
Downstairs .. Kitchen and single bathroom, with shower

Existing CH / HW system

Baxi 'back' boiler in lounge
Hot water tank in nearby room, which was replaced just a few years ago. It is a Hercal vented cylinder.

What would be better please ?

A combi, which would mean removing the tank and losing the airing cupboard.

A conventional boiler, to once again heat the water in the tank.

There are radiators in all rooms, although to be quite honest, the existing boiler is struggling to heat them all. Of course, when the back boiler was fitted, there were no rooms in the 'loft'

The cold water tank as well as a smaller tank are in the loft.

One more thing ... There is a slim chance that we may fit a small WC and WHB in the loft too.

Any advice would b appreciated.

What's wrong with the current setup? If it works there is no need to replace it...just adjust the settings so the house is warmer a bit earlier than when you need it. How large is your current boiler? Is it running constantly?

It's a little more efficient having a new boiler but the overall difference is small. Personally I prefer a cylinder but the water can run out especially if a bath is run whilst someone is in or has just had a shower and someone is washing up in the kitchen.

nande2000

What is your actual reason for getting a new boiler ?

Is your existing shower thermostatic or electric ?

WLM21 wrote: »

We are looking to get a new boiler within the next few weeks ... in the New Year I suppose.

We live in a converted bungalow, with the following ..
Upstairs .... bedrooms, but no toilets or bathrooms
Downstairs .. Kitchen and single bathroom, with shower

Existing CH / HW system

Baxi 'back' boiler in lounge
Hot water tank in nearby room, which was replaced just a few years ago. It is a Hercal vented cylinder.

What would be better please ?

A combi, which would mean removing the tank and losing the airing cupboard.

A conventional boiler, to once again heat the water in the tank.

There are radiators in all rooms, although to be quite honest, the existing boiler is struggling to heat them all. Of course, when the back boiler was fitted, there were no rooms in the 'loft'

The cold water tank as well as a smaller tank are in the loft.

One more thing ... There is a slim chance that we may fit a small WC and WHB in the loft too.

Any advice would b appreciated.

WLM21

Thank you for all the replies.

The current back boiler is perhaps 25 years old and has been going off by itself a few times. It is regularly serviced, but even the plumber has suggested it is now passed its sell by date.

With rooms in the loft, the boiler doesn't seem to have power to heat everything.

Efficiency will increase too, perhaps by the fair amount.

As suggested, I think we'll get a conventional 'heating' only boiler rather than a combi and leave the hot tank and cold tanks in place. I think an airing cupboard s a good idea, especially as we already have it in place.

Regards to all

Leif

HappyMJ wrote: »

It's a little more efficient having a new boiler but the overall difference is small.

A colleague installed a new boiler a few months before a government grant, something like £500, was available. He says there was no advantage to waiting and having the grant as the new boiler saved him at least £500. Whether or not you save will, of course, depend on how inefficient the old boiler is and this will be an extreme example (very old boiler, large house). I was surprised by how modest my gas bills were with the new boiler, I've no idea what they would have been with the old one though.

magicuk

Why don't ya get a comi and get a small radiator fitted in the airing cupboard so ya still have heat in the cupboard, obv in the summer turn all other rads down via there trvs so they dont heat up.

southcoastrgi

magicuk wrote: »

Why don't ya get a comi and get a small radiator fitted in the airing cupboard so ya still have heat in the cupboard, obv in the summer turn all other rads down via there trvs so they dont heat up.

why do the words, little, knowledge & dangerious things come to mind ?

reeac

southcoastrgi wrote: »

why do the words, little, knowledge & dangerious things come to mind ?

I know what you mean but it would take a hefty posting to explain it all.