Quote for Boiler Upgrade - Reasonable ?

NinaSwiss

cattie wrote: »

If you're getting other quotes in you could try Boilers R Us who have branches in SE London/Kent areas. My neighbours had them fit a new ch system last year & they quoted a price about half of what B Gas did.

I use these people to service my Vaillant boiler too as they offer an extremely good price to pensioners.

Thanks for this - I've got an upcoming visit with them so its good to hear something positive about them.

NinaSwiss

keith969 wrote: »

Why are you going for a combi as opposed to e.g. a pressurised unvented system?

As this will mean you have no backup (hot water tank + immersion heater) if the new boiler fails?

I'm considering a loft conversion for the future so need to keep the loft space clear for that - I also asked for some pipes to be left which would make it easier to add some plumbing into the loft for central heating/hot water.

NinaSwiss

southcoastrgi wrote: »

Why are you just getting quotes for WB because they really aren't the best boilers whatever the advertising tells you, I can practically guarantee the gas run isn't adequate, F3 isn't the right chemical for a powerflush, depending on the age of your Hive it might not be boiler plus which means they won't be able to use it

That was the boiler recommended by the 3 companies.
I wont know one boiler from the other - I just used it as a guide to source 2 more approved installers for quotes - to make sure I get the most warranty possible.

JohnB47

southcoastrgi wrote: »

Why are you just getting quotes for WB because they really aren't the best boilers whatever the advertising tells you, I can practically guarantee the gas run isn't adequate, F3 isn't the right chemical for a powerflush, depending on the age of your Hive it might not be boiler plus which means they won't be able to use it

OK, I'll bite. What are the best boilers then? And for how long do you think they will be the best boiler?


My WB 28Si has been running perfectly for nearly 18 years now, only needing the expansion vessel re pressurised.


If/when I get a new one, I'll be biased towards Worcester Bosch.


Also, what does "the gas run isn't adequate" mean?

Ganga

Have been told Intergas are very good.

Mike_the_Boilerman

Firstly I'm inclined to ask the question not so far addressed here. Why replace what you have now?

A combi is hardly an upgrade as hot water performance will be degraded in terms of flow rate. This will be a major disappointment if you like your baths. On the other hand the increased pressure (as opposed to flow rate) makes showers work much better up to a point, so whether you prefer baths or showers is a major factor in which type of boiler to chose. (Combi or heat-only.)

Secondly as a boiler technician myself I have the greatest admiration for Worcester and their marketing abilities. If only they made boilers as good! I get as many calls as any other brand for Worcester breakdowns so take care with your choice. Boiler installers happily buy into the same hype and recommend them as the customers swallow the hype whole and selling the boiler is just so much easier if you recommend Worcester. In addition check out who you call if/when it packs up within the guarantee period. Worcester installers are not necessarily that great at attending and fixing breakdowns. What goes on inside the Big White Box is sometimes a total mystery to the guys who screw them to the wall.

Just my two penn'orth.

NinaSwiss

Mike_the_Boilerman wrote: »

Firstly I'm inclined to ask the question not so far addressed here. Why replace what you have now?

A combi is hardly an upgrade as hot water performance will be degraded in terms of flow rate. This will be a major disappointment if you like your baths. On the other hand the increased pressure (as opposed to flow rate) makes showers work much better up to a point, so whether you prefer baths or showers is a major factor in which type of boiler to chose. (Combi or heat-only.)

Secondly as a boiler technician myself I have the greatest admiration for Worcester and their marketing abilities. If only they made boilers as good! I get as many calls as any other brand for Worcester breakdowns so take care with your choice. Boiler installers happily buy into the same hype and recommend them as the customers swallow the hype whole and selling the boiler is just so much easier if you recommend Worcester. In addition check out who you call if/when it packs up within the guarantee period. Worcester installers are not necessarily that great at attending and fixing breakdowns. What goes on inside the Big White Box is sometimes a total mystery to the guys who screw them to the wall.

Just my two penn'orth.

Current Boiler works. I had some troubles with it late last year - Apparently it was pumping over due to sludge so the pump was slowed down as a work around. I was advised to have a power flush done (for nearly 1k with British Gas). Radiator don't get as hot either - even the new ones.

Thing is... I already had a power flush done 2 years ago with a different plumber and filter fitted as the system was filthy and causing endless issues. Bought me another 2 years till now. I'm trying to avoid having to spend another £500-1k for yet another powerflush for an 18 year old system.

I've been told that the pumping over will cause the plumbing/system/radiators to deteriorate quickly and to expect more problems (something about oxygen in the water circulated). With this in mind I thought I'd get ahead of the situation rather that wait for boiler to pack in.

Mike_the_Boilerman

NinaSwiss wrote: »

Current Boiler works. I had some troubles with it late last year - Apparently it was pumping over due to sludge so the pump was slowed down as a work around. I was advised to have a power flush done (for nearly 1k with British Gas). Radiator don't get as hot either - even the new ones.

Thing is... I already had a power flush done 2 years ago with a different plumber and filter fitted as the system was filthy and causing endless issues. Bought me another 2 years till now. I'm trying to avoid having to spend another £500-1k for yet another powerflush for an 18 year old system.

I've been told that the pumping over will cause the plumbing/system/radiators to deteriorate quickly and to expect more problems (something about oxygen in the water circulated). With this in mind I thought I'd get ahead of the situation rather that wait for boiler to pack in.

Oh I see. That puts things in a completely different light. Powerflushing is a right racket in my view, don't get me started!! Have you seen my article about it? https://www.miketheboilerman.com/the-powerflushing-myth.html

One thing I don't address in my article is how it relates to the 'pumping over' problem. Or doesn't, more accurately. Pumping over is usually caused by scale accumulating in the tee fitting where the pipe from the header tank joins the system proper. Power-flushing sort of helps as the flushing chemicals dissolve some of the scale away so I'm not surprised the powerflush helped temporarily. The tee fitting on your system is quite likely to still be partially blocked which is why turning the pump speed down helped. The tee fitting needs cutting out and a new one putting in, in my personal opinion.

A new boiler also addresses the problem in an oblique way because in fitting the new boiler, your system will be converted to a sealed system and the header tank and tee fitting dispensed with. Your current boiler might possibly be suitable for conversion to sealed system. What make and model do you have?

NinaSwiss

I have Potter-ton Suprima 50 or 60.
Went down the path of COMBI so I can have the loft free for future conversion to a bedroom.

For peace of mind I'm quite happy to see all the pipes in the loft gone. Then I don't need to make occasional trips to check for leaks (having had one in the past).

NinaSwiss

Had Boiler R Us in today... eagerly awaiting quote via email from them.

They seem to be offering a 15 year warranty for installations booked in Mar/April. 10 year from Manufacturer, 5 extra from them. Parts and labour as long as boiler is serviced annually. Vaillant Ecofit Boiler.