New Boiler Advice

Brock_and_Roll

Dear MSEers,


I looks like our older boiler is finally dying and will need to be replaced but as I know absolutely nothing about boilers I thought I would tap the knowledge of you kind folks before taking the plunge and making some calls.


In summary this the current situation:


1) Largish house built circa 1815
2) 6 beds but none large or ensuite.
3) 3 toilets, 1 bath and 1 shower.
4) 7 in household - 2 adults 4 teens and child.
5) Full double glazing and roof insulation. No cavity walls
6) Existing system is "G Rated"
7) Existing system has large hot water tank etc


It seems that a combi boiler may know be the best solution in my house, and have heard "vented systems" discussed but don't know what they are.


Given the above does anyone have a rough idea of the likely cost range of getting a decent boiler installed - all in cost including VAT and fitting?


Cheers

Londoner_1

You would need to call a few local installers and get a quote, a combi may not be the best option, avoid British Gas. The installers need to do a site survey and will give you an accurate cost.

ccskitten

Why avoid British Gas. Sorry to jump on this thread bit I've just got some quotes and British Gas was one of them.

phil24_7

They are usually massively overpriced!

Watto30

I would also add to avoid british gas, had a quote just yesterday £3200 just for a boiler installation that's without replacing any rads or pipes! apparently this quote would only last a week, an hour later he knocked at the door again...this time to say that he could knock £300 quid off...erm thanks but not thanks. I don't know anything about vented systems but good luck and hope you can get what you need for a good price

richy999

I would urge you to do more research on the types of boilers available.... if you've no idea what a vented system is, how can you judge which is best for your situation?

This site offers a good description of the three main types.

https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/products/boilers/explained

Just to give you an idea of cost. In my previous house, I had the knackered old regular boiler replaced with a combi boiler for a cost of £2700. This cost included an upgraded gas supply pipe, TRV's on the existing radiators, wireless thermostat, removal of the hot water and header tanks and making good the brickwork where the old flue exited the wall.

C_Mababejive

I am guessing the bath and shower are in separate rooms? My feeling this house doesnt need a combi. It needs a storage system perhaps with a new high efficiency cylinder. Depends whats already in there.

Think about this. This week has been particularly cold.

Last night i conducted a little experiment.

The incoming cold water temp was measured at 7C

My outflowing hot water was measured at 47C

At 47C well it was plenty hot enough and you could barely keep your hand under it.

Now then ,if you consult the average combi boiler spec you might see that it can produce a temp difference of circa 35c at around 10litres per min.

It follows that with 7c cold water input, the best many boilers can manage is around 42c..somewhat less than my hot water temp.


Bear in mind that the flow rate will significantly reduce if you turn another outlet on.

My hot water system consists of a 12Kw heat only boiler and a cylinder that has about enough volume to fill a bath.

The average combi has an input of 24-30Kw on hot water.


Conclusion..for many mid to larger family homes, storage is the way forward.

SuzieSue

If you get a combi and it breaks down then you will have no hot water until it is fixed. I would never have a combi if there is enough space for a hot water cylinder.

From what I have read, vented means that the hot water cylinder is not pressurized and means that you have to have a cold water tank in the loft.

Unvented means that you have a pressurized cylinder like a Megaflow and so you don't need a cold water tank in the loft.