Combi-boiler advice for a rented house?

NewLandlord

I was thinking of having a combi boiler installed in a house I am letting as I understand that this means access to instant hot water and is far more efficient. Also I am told that they do not need to have the water tanks which are needed as part of the current system. A major reason for this is that the water pipes feeding the water tanks in the loft are liable to burst in cold weather causing considerable damage and disruption. Also the pump recently stopped working and I was told that the pipes are getting clogged with British Gas giving a quote of ~ £720 to have them cleaned.


Has anyone who has used the Swale Heating company as they have provided a quote for the combi boiler? Or does anyone have any other recommendations or advice?

anselld

Sounds like you are confusing a number of different issues.

Modern condensing boilers are more efficient than old boilers. That goes for both Combi and System boilers. However, the question should really be "is there anything wrong with the existing boiler?". There would be little point in replacing a perfectly good system boiler / tank with a combi unless it was on last legs.

The loft issue is simply a question of adequate insulation. Not a reason to change.

Then BG mention clogged pipes. I suspect they mean the heating circuit. If this is the case then a boiler replacement is not the answer. In fact you will be placing a brand new boiler in a sh1tty old circuit. BG have presumably quoted for a power-flush which is extortionate at £850. Find an independent to do it for £300-£400 and see how the system performs after that before deciding on boiler replacement.

G_M

As advised above, be clear what you want to achieve and why

* pipes should not freeze/burst in the attic if properly insulated ( a few quid). The attic water tank(s) should also be insulated, around and on top, but not have insulation beneath.

* A combi boiler frees up space as you can remove the cylinder from the (typically) airing cuboard

* installing a new boiler costs money!

* installing new pipework to switch from a systme boiler to a combi costs more money

* if the central heating pipes are sludged, they will need powerflushing whatever boiler you have

* most new boiler warranties require a powerflush anyway (to avoid the sludge damaging the boiler)

* an independant plumber will powerflush for 2/3ds the price of BG (or less, but check it's done properly.....: ie
> switch off ALL radiators except one, flush for 5 minutes. Reverse flush and pumpt the other way for 5 minutes
> switch off that rad and switch on the next. repeat (in BOTH directions)
This all takes time (dpending on number of rads). Some plumbers will save time (hence cheaper price) by only flushing in one direction, or, god forbid, not doing each rad separately, but just flushing the whole system at once......

* if installing a new boiler, get at least 3 quotes (ideally from independant plumbers/engineers); Discuss the boiler! There is no point comparing 2 quotes on price if the engineers are recomending different boilers. That's like saying "Hmm - this car salesman is quoting me £50,000 for a car, but that one only wants £20,000." You need to know which car make AND model it is, and whether it's right for you!

So once you decided what make/model of boiler you want (perhaps after being convinced by one of your plumbers), get another guy round to quote for the exact same boiler......

NewLandlord

Thank you both for your really useful suggestions.

There are several issues and I am trying to solve them (following the tips given here ) one by one.