What boiler please?

mrsmortenharket

Hello,
What would be the best boiler for my house? Detached, 4 bed. 1 bathroom. Downstairs loo & sink.

Heating engineer is recommending a combi. We currently have a very old regular boiler. Water tank in airing cupboard and in the loft.

I have 3 children, so lots of showers, although only 1 shower at a time as that's all we have!

Many thanks.

Doozergirl

https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/products/boilers/find-a-new-boiler

SuzieSue

I am in the same situation as you but would not get a combi because I would not have hot water if the boiler broke down. It is bad enough not having heating but no hot water with children would be very difficult.

Several heating engineers have told be to get a combi but I can see not advantages and many disadvantages including the cost of changing everything to accommodaet a combi and the risk of the increased pressure causing leaks.

Relax

I think if it is only the risk of no hot water then a monthly repair plan would be a better path to follow.

Having an endless supply of hot water is the upside.

The pressure issues you will find out when it is fitted and is a quick fix.

There is also the cost savings if you are comparing gas hot water with electric heating

SuzieSue

Relax wrote: »

I think if it is only the risk of no hot water then a monthly repair plan would be a better path to follow.

But even with a monthly plan it can be days before they might be able to send someone out.

Having an endless supply of hot water is the upside.

Yes, this is the only advantage.

The pressure issues you will find out when it is fitted and is a quick fix.

Not if the leak is under floorboards or concrete.

There is also the cost savings if you are comparing gas hot water with electric heating

You would only use the immersion heater in an emergency if the boiler broke down so there would be no cost savings for a combi.

Answers above

mrsmortenharket

Thank you everyone. I'm leaning towards a combi.
Worcester Bosch seem to be the best and my plumber recommends a Baxi 400i.

The hot water would be an issue. It's something to think about anyway.

Thanks again.

Relax

A well maintained boiler ~ And being part of a decent plan will include that ~ Means the chances are pretty low of a breakdown and yes, it could be days for repairs , but again highly unlikely.

The unlimited hot water is a great advantage compared to having to wait for a cold tank to warm again . But is really not the only advantage . Cost is the main one. Leaving a tank full of water 24 hours a day is not cheap and that is what you would have to do to compete with a combi.
Also don't forget the improvement in pressure if comparing with an electric or gravity fed set up.

I run two showers off a combi and have no problems with using both at the same time.Just pick the size that fits your demands

There is also the benefit of saving space when the hot water tank is removed and not having to worry about tanks in the loft freezing up in a cold spell.

You would know there was a leak straight away with a combi because the pressure would drop and be observable. You might not immediately know where ,but you would very quickly know that you need to investigate further.

SuzieSue

Relax wrote: »

A well maintained boiler ~ And being part of a decent plan will include that ~ Means the chances are pretty low of a breakdown and yes, it could be days for repairs , but again highly unlikely.

The unlimited hot water is a great advantage compared to having to wait for a cold tank to warm again . But is really not the only advantage . Cost is the main one. Leaving a tank full of water 24 hours a day is not cheap and that is what you would have to do to compete with a combi.
Also don't forget the improvement in pressure if comparing with an electric or gravity fed set up.

I run two showers off a combi and have no problems with using both at the same time.Just pick the size that fits your demands

There is also the benefit of saving space when the hot water tank is removed and not having to worry about tanks in the loft freezing up in a cold spell.

You would know there was a leak straight away with a combi because the pressure would drop and be observable. You might not immediately know where ,but you would very quickly know that you need to investigate further.

Which boiler do you have which will run 2 showers at the same time as I have not been able to find one?

daveyjp

To run two showers from a combi you need excellent mains water pressure. The boiler should then be sized to match the mains pressure.

If you have mains pressure at 11 litres a minute there is no point specifying a boiler which can heat 16 litres a minute.

Similarly if you have 15 litres a minute flow you will need a higher output boiler than 11l a minute, otherwise the boiler will be too underpowered to heat the volume of water flowing through it and the water may not get hot.

Get the mains pressure measured and then specify the boiler.

DaftyDuck

Vaillant 938, with good cold water pressure, in property rented to four students, easily runs two showers simultaneously. Never missed a beat. Also had the 937, did the same. I think most of the large combis that have water storage as well will cope, but I only have experience of Vaillant.

As for the risk of no hot water with a combi, I have electric showers over the baths; rarely, if ever, used but there for emergency. Showers are separate cubicles.

For oil, the Grant storage vortex pro 36/46 combi will do two showers, but not quite as well.

mrsmortenharket

This is all very helpful. I'm leaning towards a Worcester & Bosch Combi. With full cover and annual service.
Thanks all.