Combination boiler in a 4 bed semi

FEDEX

I am agonizing over which boiler to get for my 4 bed semi and 4 strong family.

A Combi I am told will suffice, but you can't run 2 showers, and with 1 shower running, another tap is not going to deliver a great deal.

A Megaflo on the other hand will deliver a lot more, but you don't get the benefit on instant hot water.

I'd be interested to know the experiences of people who have a similar sized house and family?

I'm particularly interested in whether people have found Combis to deliver what they need, and if so, what model has worked for them?

I'm also interested to know peoples' experience of the Megaflo, what size of cylinder they'd recommend and whether they have come across any problems?

Regards and thanks in advance to anyone who comments.

Plumber90

Unvented cylinder all the way, a thing to think about in the winter, if the hot tap is being used on a combi boiler, then the heating can't run at the same time.

FEDEX

Plumber90 wrote: »

Unvented cylinder all the way, a thing to think about in the winter, if the hot tap is being used on a combi boiler, then the heating can't run at the same time.

Really?!

What does that mean, that if you're all taking showers, the temperature in your radiators necessarily drops?

FEDEX

Plumber90 wrote: »

Unvented cylinder all the way, a thing to think about in the winter, if the hot tap is being used on a combi boiler, then the heating can't run at the same time.

Would you recommend any particular type of boiler/cylinder, if I went down the unvented cylinder path?

lstar337

Combi and electric showers is also an option.

schwam66

we went the unvented cylinder route(300 litre and heat only boiler for the rads), we have a 5 bed 1 bath 3 shower house, was crazy cuz it had a old combi in when we moved in!! not sure how the hell there was enough pressure to reach everywhere, we havent moved in yet as still renovating but this is what you will need, a combi wont be enough unless you did a combi and then made one of the showers an electric shower, even then you will notice the drop in presure if someone is say doing the washing up in the kitchen(would assume you notice it now?)...one thing to think about with the unvented/megaflow is the presure, the house we bought was very old and the presure through the pipes wouldnt have worked so had to have it repiped through out, not saying you will have to do this but something to think about and have your plumber check.....all the best and goodluck

FEDEX

lstar337 wrote: »

Combi and electric showers is also an option.

Do you have a ball park figure for putting in an electrical shower?

daveyjp

If a registered gas installer has said a combi is suitable for a four bed four person household with two showers find another installer.

FEDEX

schwam66 wrote: »

we went the unvented cylinder route(300 litre and heat only boiler for the rads), we have a 5 bed 1 bath 3 shower house, was crazy cuz it had a old combi in when we moved in!! not sure how the hell there was enough pressure to reach everywhere, we havent moved in yet as still renovating but this is what you will need, a combi wont be enough unless you did a combi and then made one of the showers an electric shower, even then you will notice the drop in presure if someone is say doing the washing up in the kitchen(would assume you notice it now?)...one thing to think about with the unvented/megaflow is the presure, the house we bought was very old and the presure through the pipes wouldnt have worked so had to have it repiped through out, not saying you will have to do this but something to think about and have your plumber check.....all the best and goodluck

Thanks really useful.

I'm in a similar position to you, we haven't moved in yet.

We have a museum piece from God knows what decade, recently condemned, much to the chagrin of vendor, who seemed quite attached to it.

I've had mixed views from heating engineers on whether we need new pipes or not, some suggested ripping everything up and replacing. Some saying we should be OK, some of these recommending testing the pressure beforehand.

I don't know.

We'll probably get the house rewired so it might be an idea to get the pipes renewed at the same time, to set the house and possibly us up for the next 20 years.

On the other hand don't want to needlessly waste money.

FEDEX

daveyjp wrote: »

If a registered gas installer has said a combi is suitable for a four bed four person household with two showers find another installer.

Really?

Are you that convinced.

I had someone this morning who was convinced that a 29CDI Worcester would be just the thing.

Most of the others have suggested Megaflo.

FEDEX

daveyjp wrote: »

If a registered gas installer has said a combi is suitable for a four bed four person household with two showers find another installer.

And what do you think of the combi and electric shower option?