Ballpark figure for conversion to combi boiler system.

elsmandino

Hello,

I currently have a regular gas boiler system (water tank in the loft, hot water tank in a cupboard in the bedroom) in my bungalow.

It feeds 8 radiators in the home.

The system is very old and the current boiler is at least 20 years old - to be fair to it, it has never gone wrong.

My wife is always complaining about having to wait for the hot water to be ready for a last minute bath and, coupled with the fact that we would gain a lot of space in the bedroom/loft (plus the potential savings on energy), I was considering having a combi boiler put in.

Having done some research, in addition to replacing the boiler, I am going to have to have my pipework replaced, along with the radiators.

Can any one possibly give me any indicator of how much it might cost, along with the time it might take?

I am based in Essex.

Thanks very much.

Plumber90

Why do you need the pipe work and radiators to be replaced.

elsmandino

Hi,

It is a single pipe system and the pipes are really small in diameter - I had a plumber round years ago (to give us advice on saving water) and we got talking about my boiler.

He said that my current system would not work with a combi boiler (I seem to recall that he said the pipes would not take the pressure required for a decent flow and that plumbers now prefer not to install new boilers on pipework that did not include a feed and return pipe).

My radiators are all really old and are of the single panel/single convector type - I gathered that if I am upgrading everything else to a modern system, I might as well upgrade those too, at the same time.

Carmk2008

Doing exactly the same thing it's costing £1750 for all parts, labour removal of old system and flushing system.

phill99

Are you in Chafford Hundred? Lots of 10mm used there!!


We have just changed a traditional system in Essex to a combi (Valiant) with new flue, wireless programmable thermostat, power flush. for a bit over £4k inc vat

marc81

Recently had similar work done. Had an old conventional boiler replaced with a Main Eco 30 combi. Hot water tank removed from airing cupboard, cold water tanks in attic disconnected, some pipework upgraded under floorboards upstairs, flushed, wireless controls... 2 days work, was just under £1800 (I'm in the north west). I did not have any rads replaced.

Marc

Tygermoth

As above we had a quote today to move from the old tank and boiler to a combi. (three bedroom town house in the SE) We have 14 rads, three bathrooms and good pressure.

4K

This included some outlet pipes to be moved as the outlet vents into the driveway next door. (which apparently now is not acceptable as we don't own that land so it now needs to be so it vent across our land)

elsmandino

phill99 wrote: »

Are you in Chafford Hundred? Lots of 10mm used there!!


We have just changed a traditional system in Essex to a combi (Valiant) with new flue, wireless programmable thermostat, power flush. for a bit over £4k inc vat

It is really odd you say that - I am not all that far from there.

Thanks so much, everyone, you have really helped me narrow down things to to around the £2,000 - £4,000 area - it seems that having the radiators replaced is going to push it to the upper end of this bracket.

Carmk2008 - am I correct in thinking that your quote does not include new radiators?

One other quick thing, whilst I am here:

Half of the system goes under my floorboards, whereas the other half is above (it seems to switch about half way round).

Can I have it all the new piping installed above ground for uniformity? If so, can I avoid having any of the floors being pulled up?

I am not sure if this is allowed by I was hoping that the portion of piping, that is below ground, could just be left there.

Carmk2008

elsmandino wrote: »

It is really odd you say that - I am not all that far from there.

Thanks so much, everyone, you have really helped me narrow down things to to around the £2,000 - £4,000 area - it seems that having the radiators replaced is going to push it to the upper end of this bracket.

Carmk2008 - am I correct in thinking that your quote does not include new radiators?

One other quick thing, whilst I am here:

Half of the system goes under my floorboards, whereas the other half is above (it seems to switch about half way round).

Can I have it all the new piping installed above ground for uniformity? If so, can I avoid having any of the floors being pulled up?

I am not sure if this is allowed by I was hoping that the portion of piping, that is below ground, could just be left there.

You are correct no radiators doing that myself as needed. Just read the text again here's what I'm getting 40kw potterton with 7yr warranty, flue, programmable remote control, time clock and all pipe work, wiring, flushing and corrosion inhibitor. I thought it was £1750 but its £1850.
Why would you want half the pipework above the floor, very untidy IMO, plus if its 10 microbore it will be worse as it comes rolled so not straight like a length of pipe, it is also easier to damage.

Gloomendoom

elsmandino wrote: »

Hello,

I currently have a regular gas boiler system (water tank in the loft, hot water tank in a cupboard in the bedroom) in my bungalow.

It feeds 8 radiators in the home.

The system is very old and the current boiler is at least 20 years old - to be fair to it, it has never gone wrong.

Very old? My boiler was installed in 1972 and is still going strong.