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matty2767
Posts: 442 Forumite

Hi guys
Our boiler broke in the week, it was only 11yrs old. Condensing boiler type but beyond economical repair.
Before I went out and replaced like for like, albeit hopefully a different brand that is reliable. I wondered if there was anything renewable that might be worth a look at. We have a new build house from 2005, 4 bed. Since November last year have PV.
I searched on the threads for air source pumps but they seem to be hit and miss.
With the PV currently heating the water I have a couple of months to make a proper decision. But it is probably likely that a new boiler for around £1800 is my best bet.
Do you have any pointers?
Thanks
Matt
Our boiler broke in the week, it was only 11yrs old. Condensing boiler type but beyond economical repair.
Before I went out and replaced like for like, albeit hopefully a different brand that is reliable. I wondered if there was anything renewable that might be worth a look at. We have a new build house from 2005, 4 bed. Since November last year have PV.
I searched on the threads for air source pumps but they seem to be hit and miss.
With the PV currently heating the water I have a couple of months to make a proper decision. But it is probably likely that a new boiler for around £1800 is my best bet.
Do you have any pointers?
Thanks
Matt
0
Comments
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Hiya Matt, for starters how much gas (in kWhs) do you consume each year, and what else does it include (DHW, cooker, hob, fire etc?)
Do you think the house is well insulated (this may be reflected in gas consumption), could it easily be upgraded?
What sort of radiators do you have, are they double panels, with fins, are they oversized at all, in the sense that they heat the house fast and easily?
Gas is pretty damn cheap at the moment so it's going to be hard to beat simply on money terms.
Mart.Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.
For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.0 -
Hi Mart
We used to use about 12000kwh gas. But this is our first year with PV so there will be some reduction from that value because of the iboost.
We have a gas hob and DHW via a unvented cylinder.
I think we are pretty well insulated, certainly to 10yrs ago standards. Our gas and elec bill is £48.
Our radiators are a mix of double and single panels, flat on the front. They look like normal radiators to me so I would expect we would struggle to avoid replacing them for the heat sink associated with heat pumps, if that was what you were thinking. We have 13 radiators in the house.
I am thinking standard boiler replacement too, I just didn't want to miss a trick whilst we had chance
Thanks
Matt0 -
Hiya Matt, yes I was wondering about ASHP, but retro fitting is more expensive, unless your current radiators are already well over specd.
Even then, it's still expensive, and the PV wouldn't really help out much since it's already doing the hot water.
Cost wise the COP on the ASHP might help if gas prices go back up, but at the moment it would be tough unless you had a super insulated house needing very little heating.
Just a side issue, but I was once told gas for cookers, leccy for hobs. Have you thought about getting a single or double portable induction hob for use during the summer. Could make better use of the PV. Slow cookers are great too.
Might be worth it in the winter too, but at least then the waste heat from the gas going up the sides is of use within the house envelope, whereas in non heating months it's a waste and possibly a nuisance.
Mart.Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.
For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.0 -
Hi Mart
Tbh we have a hot pot thingy. Just depends what the wife decides to do. If we replaced the cooker it would be the other way round re: gas hob elec oven. I guess the builder got them cheap.
Matt0
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