Boilers, types of boilers & C. Heating for Dummies

BaritoneUK

Hi all.

We've just bought our first house which is exciting as well as scary. We got our gas fire and boiler checked and it was bad news all round. The gas fire looks as if it could be quite dangerous so we've ditched that. Gas fires aren't very green anyway so we might get a nice looking electric one which we might use once or twice a year.

Anyway, the boiler was the main issue. We have to get a new one. Pants! The current one is a combi one (and that's the same kind as we had in the last house). My question is, what kind of boiler should we go for? I really want to do some research, but the things is I know nothing of boilers. What kind of boiler can you get? We want one that is reliable and as green as possible and one that won't break the bank. I've noticed that at our last house and this one there don't seem to be any thermostats? I thought thermostats were a good idea as you could set what temperature you wanted the central heating at. Do thermostats only work with certain types of boilers?

How can we make the radiators more efficient? They don't have proper knobby things on them (what is the techy term) so that you can alter the temps? Is there anything else we can do?

Please help, I know nothing!

EliteHeat

You can only fit condensing (green) boilers in houses in England.

If you have currently have a combi then it will be cheapest to get another combi fitted. Many people think they have a combi fiited, but in reality don't.

Building regs requires that each rad has a thermostatic valve fitted except that which is closest to the room thermostat, which building regs also state that you need.

Replacing boilers is expensive, make sure you get several quotes and make sure that you get references from the company / installer that you eventually choose.

Make sure the installer is Corgi registered, or PM eco-friendly who does this work for nothing.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: I would recommend 2 websites which will provide more info on gas central heating legal requirements and heating options.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/housingbuildings/ce30.pdf

http://www.miketheboilerman.com/boilertypes.htm

If you haven't had a recommendation from friends, family or colleagues to find a CORGI Registered Gas Installer visit www.trustcorgi.com
Arrange for at least 3 quotes (written, full specification)

HTH

Canucklehead

eco-friendly_2

EliteHeat wrote: »

Make sure the installer is Corgi registered, or PM eco-friendly who does this work for nothing.

love to help ! but simply mobbed at the moment , anyhow I'm not the one with the 80 hours corgi training.

BobProperty

Is plumb1 still around? He might get over as far east as Manchester.

BaritoneUK

Thanks everyone for your help.

I think I now understand the types of boilers. Am I correct-

1. Non-Condensing Standard (needs water tank)
2. Non-Condensing Combi
3. Condensing Standard (needs water tank)
4. Condensing Combi

We have a non-condensing combi boiler in our house (the one that needs replaced). Now I assume that going for a combi is probably the best thing to do as not doing would mean having a water tank. There are only two of us (maybe some kids in the next couple of years) so a water tank is probably overkill. What do people think?

Then it's the condensing/non-condensing question. I've heard that it's only law to put condensing boilers into new builds or for landlords replacing boilers. This would mean we don't NEED to put a condensing one in. However I do want to have an efficient boiler. My father-in-law is not a fan of condensing boilers and I was wandering if any of you could check these points and see what you think. He says-

- They are usually very expensive.
- Although they are very efficient in winter when the heating is on most of the time, they aren't good in the summer for hot water being on and off.
- Due to the cooling of the exhaust gases there is a likelyhood of corrosion.
- They are more likely to go wrong due to their complex nature.

What do you think?

Also, is it correct that you can fit thermostats on any type of boiler. So for example if we go for a combi condensing or a combi non-condensing could we fit a thermostat? I like the idea of a thermostat cos then you can set it to the temperature you feel comfortable with. I think the average house temp is too high anyway and 16/17 degrees C is probably fine.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: In my previous post http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5914982&postcount=3
I listed 2 websites...the first (Energy Saving Trust) is a document outlining the specification and installation of gas central heating systems...this should answer the questions you have raised in your last post. To summarise...you are required to fit a condensing boiler in England and Wales, new builds and replacements with very limited exceptions. The other website also provides useful info- it is maintained by a CORGI installer in Reading. For further info re:myths about condensing boilers read http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/pdf/CE52.pdf

HTH
Canucklehead