New boiler or keep reliable old one?

WorldTraveller_2

CashStrapped wrote: »

That seems to be a boiler circa 2001 - 2007. A baby by my standards.

It is a non-condensing conventional boiler. I assume you have a hot water tank and tanks in the loft.

These boilers are super reliable. Less efficient by modern standards, but far more reliable. It is efficiency is actually not too bad at all around 78% as a guide figure.
You will see little in return for investing in a modern combi boiler. A modern combi will be far less reliable.

Your annual gas use is around the national average.

I would be included to keep it in good working order for as long as possible.

If it is well serviced, it should not need replacing.

Not as old as I thought then - the British Gas man made it sound like it was absolutely ancient, maybe just to try to sell me a new one. Our house was a rental before we bought it so I know it had been serviced on an annual basis before we moved in.

CashStrapped

Oh....now it makes sense.....you mentioned....British Gas...

Avoid them and homecare like the plague......

They are never lookign to service the boiler. They only consider it a saftey check.

In addition, they will not cover a boiler over 10 years of age. So if there was an issue they would refuse to do anything. This is just an arbitrary decision by them as they use the excuse that the original manufacturer may not make the parts. Even though they may be available elsewhere.

They will probably warn you every time they come over that there are no parts, it is old and could fail at any time. They may even look for the smallest excuse to pressure you into a new boiler.

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They did this to my parents a few years ago. A boiler of similar age to mine. They said they detected a carbon monoxide leak and without any further investigation condemmed the boiler.

They said the internals could not be accessed and parts were not available.

I got a second opinion from a local firm. Who accessed the internals within 20 seconds, saw no issues but replace a few seals which were generic an still available. He fired it up and detected no issues.

That was 5 years ago.....no issues since.

My parents no longer use homecare and this has saved them a packet. They just get an annual service for £60-£80

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Look on the previous service certificates, (if still around) and who serviced it in the past (they will have signed the certificate and their gas safe number will be on it). If they did a good job when it was a let property, use them again!

warehouse

jayII wrote: »

I don't think it's common, but heavily used pipes can corrode and joints can fail, possibly leading to a gas leak in or near the boiler.

The same applies if debris builds up and prevents the gas from being burnt fully. Apart from being dangerous, your home insurance might not pay out if the boiler blows up after it hasn't been serviced for several years.

Blimey. That's glass half empty if ever I saw it.

Tom99

WorldTraveller wrote: »

Not as old as I thought then - the British Gas man made it sound like it was absolutely ancient, maybe just to try to sell me a new one. Our house was a rental before we bought it so I know it had been serviced on an annual basis before we moved in.

I think my 1980's boiler was a Potterton Kingfisher

CashStrapped

It may be worth checking the actual model number then.....

normally they do keep a brand name for a number of years.....

so if you are still there ....look for the actual model number on a sticker or stamp or manual (or even past service certificate).

like Potterton kingfisher xxxxx

Edit:

The brand name "potterton kingfisher" related to a range from 2001 - 2007

however.....

There was another range of boilers (when I assume it was part of another company) named "Potterton Myson Kingfishers" which were pre 1998.

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However, as long as it is well serviced, which is sounds like it has been in the past, there should not be an issue, and no change in the advice given thus far.

You gas use is average, not high at all. So there is no concern there.

You just need to find an engineer to continue it's yearly service. Who ever carried out the services while it was let, is a good start.

WorldTraveller_2

Talk about ironic! Having said how reliable our boiler is, yesterday the central heating suddenly stopped working (hot water still ok though). So I got someone out this morning and he said the pump's gone - he also said that he thinks our boiler is from the 1970's! So we're going to get quotes for a new one - we also have a hot water tank that isn't in good condition, and a cold water tank in the loft that also isn't in good condition. He recommended getting rid of the whole lot and getting a combi boiler. So I'm just hoping that the weather doesn't get too cold again in the meantime. Could have been worse, at least it didn't happen when there was the recent snow, and at least the hot water is still working.

matelodave

If the hot water is working then so is the boiler (unless you are using an immersion heater). If so then a pump replacement is probably all it needs.

A least get several quotes before jumping in a getting it replaced and avoid British Gas at al costs unless you want to have a laugh at their very inflated prices

CashStrapped

This is a partial double post - the OP made a new thread here.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5817087

As you say though, it sounds like it just needs a pump repair as I mentioned in the other thread, all sounds a bit fishy.

C_Mababejive

have a look on the appliance data plate and it will have the exact model of kingfisher and maybe even a date..also a GC number. Your is new,mine is 36 years old,,not the same model though. Mines a glowworm spacesaver,,one of the simplest and reliable domestic boilers ever produced..

CashStrapped

@c_Mababejive

What is your annual kwh use on the space saver like? I have one too..

Is it fully pumped? Or just central heating pumped?