Reliable Combi boiler...or ones to avoid

jennifernil

Combi in small duplex flat (ground and semi basement) , 12 years old, probably not economic to repair (it does work but there is a small leak inside the casing somewhere).

Looking for a reliable replacement, opinions welcome.

Boiler is on internal wall, no possibility to relocate, nowhere to drain condensate to, flue discharges very close to/across public path along front of building, only 1.5 metres to fence and about 1.5 metres above ground, so looking at non-condensing models.

Any rough idea on costs welcome too. TRVs are already fitted, and newish programmer, presumably we need (wireless) room stat to comply with regulations.

diywhynot

jennifernil wrote: »

Combi in small duplex flat (ground and semi basement) , 12 years old, probably not economic to repair (it does work but there is a small leak inside the casing somewhere).

Looking for a reliable replacement, opinions welcome.

Boiler is on internal wall, no possibility to relocate, nowhere to drain condensate to, flue discharges very close to/across public path along front of building, only 1.5 metres to fence and about 1.5 metres above ground, so looking at non-condensing models.

Any rough idea on costs welcome too. TRVs are already fitted, and newish programmer, presumably we need (wireless) room stat to comply with regulations.

Vokera Compact SE. No experience with this model but one of the few SE combis still manufactured.

No idea on costs.;)

southcoastrgi

& unless your installer can get you upto 1000 points you won't be able to fit a non condensing anyway, but good luck

jennifernil

diywhynot wrote: »

Vokera Compact SE. No experience with this model but one of the few SE combis still manufactured.

No idea on costs.;)

No experience of this make, is it good and reliable?

southcoastrgi

i have no idea either so that's two heating engineers that have no first hand knowledge of this boiler i think maybe a google search is in order to see if you can find any reviews

diywhynot

jennifernil wrote: »

No experience of this make, is it good and reliable?

Not a brand we have ever installed or repaired. Try a post on DIYnot for input from a range of RGIs.

Mr_Ted

The 1st consideration is to get an exclusion for not fitting a condensing boiler, that is possible, but has to be proven in writing and by correct surveying!

Then its up to the salesmen on here to give their opinions lol

diywhynot

Mr_Ted wrote: »

Then its up to the salesmen on here to give their opinions lol

Who would that be then?

jennifernil

I have studied the assessment guidelines. As I understand it, the current flue position is not permitted for a condensing boiler as it is only about 1,5m from the boundary, which is a wrought iron fence beside a public pavement. It is also only about 1.5m above pavement ground level.

A vertical plume diverter cannot be fitted as this is the front of the building. Also, there are several windows in the wall in the area above the flue outlet. In addition, the building is in a conservation area, and being allowed to change anything is not easy.

To relocate the flue to the rear of the building, it would need an extended flue of about 5 metres exiting through 2 cupboards and a different bedroom. The existing flue is also an extended one some 3.8 metres long which is routed in a duct constructed below the existing ceiling.

There is no nearby connection to a drain for the condensate, so a pump would be required.

So in this scenario we have 710 points as it is a flat, 200 points for the extended flue, and 100 points for the condensate pump, total 1010 points.

The only other possibility is to relocate the boiler to the outside wall of this other bedroom. This gives 710 points for being a flat, and 350 points for moving to a different room, total 1060.

As I read it then, fitting a non-condensing boiler would be permitted. Have I read the rules correctly?

jennifernil

diywhynot wrote: »

Not a brand we have ever installed or repaired. Try a post on DIYnot for input from a range of RGIs.

I have now done some research, opinions on plumbing/gas safe forums seem mixed.

Older posts are not good, more recent ones say some Vokeras are good, but the Compact range does not seem to be one of those according to some.

It is all rather bewildering.

Are there other makes we could consider?

southcoastrgi

i just know i'm gonna get shot down in flames for this, but how about an electric boiler ?