Budgeting for a boiler replacement

lifeandsoul

I'm looking to replace our gas boiler this year. I have budgeted £5.5k to do the following.

- Replace the boiler
- Install new thermostat device to better manage when the boiler comes on
- Replace a pump
- Flush the system

We are a detached 4 bedroom (2 x bathroom) house.

Obviously there can be a number of variations but does that sound like a sensible figure ?

csgohan4

5.5 K seems more than enough. Perhaps too much.

What boiler and what thermostat system?

lifeandsoul

Thanks for that. I haven't looked too much into which boiler. For the themostat the rule of thumb I had in mind was a system flexible enough to allow me to have the heating and water on at different times depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

From what I can read, whilst the boiler is the major outlay, its all the work around installing and the regulations which can add up.

csgohan4

Installing a decent boiler around 3K tops, I had a Honeywell system installed at around 800 pounds


Best to go for a combi boiler, instant hot water and no need to wait for the water to boil up

CashStrapped

What is your current set-up?

Rubidium

csgohan4 wrote: »

Installing a decent boiler around 3K tops, I had a Honeywell system installed at around 800 pounds


Best to go for a combi boiler, instant hot water and no need to wait for the water to boil up

A combi boiler is NOT the best option for "a detached 4 bedroom (2 x bathroom) house"

"My advice is my own opinion, your home is at risk if you take my advice"

Your advice is definitely best ignored then!

CashStrapped

I was going to say the same thing. A combi boiler may not be the best option, which is why I asked what system the OP currently has.

However:

If they have an old combi already, then they know what to expect. It may be fine and the simplest/cheapest way updating their system.

If not, they may be disappointed with the performance of a combi in a large property.

Standard combis are only really designed for small houses/flats. They cannot cope with multiple request for hot water (two people using the bathrooms at the same time).

There are however storage combi boilers, which may be an alternative. These are larger combis and contain a small water tank and can cope with multiple requests for water for short periods.

It is less about the number of bathrooms and more about the number of occupants. If the OP just lives in a house of two he may be happy with a combi or similar. If it is a large family with a lot of guests, then a combi may end up being problematic.

A combi is not the best pick for all circumstances.

csgohan4

cameltoe wrote: »

A combi boiler is NOT the best option for "a detached 4 bedroom (2 x bathroom) house"

"My advice is my own opinion, your home is at risk if you take my advice"

Your advice is definitely best ignored then!

What system do you suggest?


I have a 4 bed house with 3 bathrooms, works for us

lifeandsoul

Thanks everyone. We have 4 occupants. One daughter aged 22 who is looking to move out in a few years and a son hoping to go to Uni in 18 months.

At the moment we have Glow-Worm - Spacesaver, which I'm sure it was 30 years ago, but its a big old unit. Anyway best not be rude in case I upset it. Its not a combi - just fairly standard.

macman

A combi's suitability (or otherwise) can only be assessed following a proper site survey by your chosen RGI. £2.5K should cover the work you outline, and if you do opt for a combi, then the pump is included. It depends on the number of bathrooms, your flow rate and gas supply pipe size. Not on what someone on an internet forum suggests.

HappyMJ

csgohan4 wrote: »

Installing a decent boiler around 3K tops, I had a Honeywell system installed at around 800 pounds


Best to go for a combi boiler, instant hot water and no need to wait for the water to boil up

Combi - Best? - No thanks. I would never consider a combi at all under any circumstances.

I prefer the flexibility that stored hot water provides.

I live in a 2 bedroom flat and the small conventional boiler and hot water cylinder is perfect. There's always plenty of hot water available on demand. There's no need to wait for the water to boil up as it already has been heated and it is waiting to be used.

It's cheaper to buy a 15kW heat only boiler than buy a 30kW combi boiler, isn't it?