Is it time for a new boiler?

applepad

Just got my 1st monthly gas bill, just changed to First utility , they say I have used £64 of gas, which seems a lot as only my heating and water is gas.

Just put central heating on for an odd hour when it's really cold, over a month max 20 hours? Gas fire goes on on an evening maybe 4 hours each night, it is a living flame but has a glass front and was most eng efficient one I could find. Water is also on an instant water boiler, ie turn tap on and it heats when it comes through. Have a dishwasher and washing machine that are cold fill. Have a bath once a week and a few showers.

The boiler does just central heating and was in house when we moved in 14 years ago, we replaced water boiler about 10 years ago. Central heating boiler is an old Potterton.

My question is should I get a new more energy efficient boiler? Or get it serviced, last done about 3 years ago. Or is it that gas has just gone up so much?

Thanks in advance

alleycat`

Is it an actual reading or an estimate?

Cost to recoup your outlay on a boiler @ say 60% efficiency v's 90% efficiency is probably around 8+ years I'd expect (no doubt someone did the maths).

If it works and you can get bits for it then look after it and only replace it when it becomes a PITA (would be my advice).

Wywth

applepad wrote: »

Just got my 1st monthly gas bill, just changed to First utility , they say I have used £64 of gas, which seems a lot as only my heating and water is gas.

Just put central heating on for an odd hour when it's really cold, over a month max 20 hours? Gas fire goes on on an evening maybe 4 hours each night, it is a living flame but has a glass front and was most eng efficient one I could find. Water is also on an instant water boiler, ie turn tap on and it heats when it comes through. Have a dishwasher and washing machine that are cold fill. Have a bath once a week and a few showers.

The boiler does just central heating and was in house when we moved in 14 years ago, we replaced water boiler about 10 years ago. Central heating boiler is an old Potterton.

My question is should I get a new more energy efficient boiler? Or get it serviced, last done about 3 years ago. Or is it that gas has just gone up so much?

Thanks in advance

A new boiler is going to cost you upwards of a couple of grand at least!

I can't see the capital outlay being worth it unless you are sure your current boiler is on it's last legs.

A service will cost you upwards of £50 and won't improve the boiler efficiency either. (unless it is faulty)

A gas fire (of the type you describe) is more for illusional pleasure than heating purposes. It isn't the most economical way of heating that's for sure.

dogshome

I don't think it wise to rely on First Utilites billing as a true measure of your gas consumption, unless that is you gave them both the Start & Ending readings on which the bill is based

First Utilities trading name has an unfortunate set of intials, but there are many posts on this site from their customers, from which it appears that the initials are apt. - So regularly take your own readings

applepad

My fist month with new supplier so I have supplied both start and end readings.

Did think of getting my boiler serviced but if its not going to make it more efficient no point. Last time guy came he said you could soon get bits for it.

Find if I lay In front of gas fire I feel the heat, if I have central heating on I don't, even if sat in chair next to radiator. I do have Raynards which is a circulation disease and do tend to feel the cold more than others. Always wear several layers.

£2k should buy me a lot of gas, so looks like I will be keeping old boiler.

It just seemed a lot and dread to think how much people who have their heating on all the time spend on gas.

We have a large lounge with an open stair case so do find it hard to heat the lounge, my husband complains that the upstairs feels like a sauna when both fire and heating on, but he is over weight and always warm, still in shirt sleeves this morning and no coat for drive to work! Makes me shudder.

laptop80

If your old boiler is working well stick with it - the cost and the hassle of ripping it out and replacing it just isn't likely to be worth it. It's expensive to fix/replace boilers and plumbers usually suggest that a new combi boiler will only average 10 years anyway. Our 5 year old combi has just developed a leak - a few faults like that over its lifespan and it will negate any benefit from lower gas bills over an older, less efficient but more reliable design.

C_Mababejive

Dont get a new boiler. Just thin about..
a)putting some winter warm foundation garments on
b)Stop the heat escaping as much
c)Check to see if you can modernise the heating control systems

High efficieny figures quoted on modern boilers are at best,optimistic.

applepad

Thanks going to keep old one, watch it it will blow up now! Not having ,ugh luck at the mo.
I have used 53 units in a calandee month, is that a lot?

bryanb

It would be worth trying to close off the stairs, even a curtain will help.