What boiler and do I need to re-pipe my house

peel66

We need to have a new boiler fitted and have been getting quotes in, we have 2 reputable companies quoting but they have both come up with different systems.

5 bed/3 bath detached house

Quote 1 - Vaillant eco tec plus 630 system condensing boiler with 210 unvented cylinder plus thermostatic and lock shield valves to rads, flushing etc.

Quote 2 - Viessmann 222 boiler plus thermostatic and lock shield valves, controls, flushing etc.

Quote 2 also advises (at an extra cost) to re-pipe the whole house to avoid leaks/performance issues with the existing 8mm copper micrabore pipework.

Could any experts advise which boiler would be best for the house plus would we need to re-pipe ??

Thanks

phil24_7

southcoastrgi will be along shortly to help no doubt!

DaftyDuck

I'd have said no to re-pipe, and assumed plumber was trying to make a mint from me... until I saw

the existing 8mm copper micrabore pipework

and changed my mind. I've twice had microbore pipe (in very old buildings), and twice decided it's been worth the expense of a complete re-plumb to get rid of it.

Well-installed copper pipe will last an age. Longer than I will, anyway. But, microbore is liable to clog up, scale up, crumble, leak, fracture, slow flow to a dribble, not warm a radiator the size of a gnat's testicles, and set itself on fire.... well, a slight exaggeration.

But, I'd aim to replace that.

As to boiler - I'll leave that to someone who knows.

Grenage

While I am with Dafty and his hatred of microbore - if the existing system is heating your radiators ok, then there's no need for redoing all the pipework.

EssexExile

As above, my microbore has been in since the 70s & is still fine.

peel66

The radiators work perfectly at the moment, the company who suggested re-piping said the microbore might not cope with the pressure change of the Viessmann boiler ??

Grenage

peel66 wrote: »

The radiators work perfectly at the moment, the company who suggested re-piping said the microbore might not cope with the pressure change of the Viessmann boiler ??

I would be more than a little skeptical; in fact, I would be so irritated by such a statement, I would probably use another installer.

Consider an independent with a few years under his belt.

peel66

any advise with the boiler options ?

unclebulgaria

Viessmann boilers are well made and reliable in my experience. Vaillant aren't a bad boiler but they're of the same ilk as Glowworm and I hate Glowworm with a passion! I've had a few issues with Vaillant's aftersales but this is only my opinion.
As for the microbore, if you have the budget and the inclination get rid. The statement about the new boilers pressure applies to 15mm and 22mm if its old and badly worn so I'm not sure what he's getting at.
Just in case you decide to get rid of or keep the microbore, what type of floor do you have, is it floorboards or chipboard sheets? If its the latter you may want to bear in mind that taking floorboards up can lead to rocking boards or squeaks but chipboard can be a complete pain especially as they're usually nailed down with a nail gun.
IMO powerflushing microbore doesn't work.

southcoastrgi

As above, option 2 is a storage combi & once the store has run out then it's no better than a normal combi plus it's HUGE, both options need your cold water flow rate & pressure measuring to make sure either are suitable, if it's ok I'd go with the unvented but I'm with ub I'm not a great Vailliant lover, look at Intergas boilers

What boiler & system do you currently have ?

C_Mababejive

Regarding your 8mm microbore, by any chance do both pipes enter the radiator at the same end or are they at opposite ends??