Should I replace my (possibly 20 y/o) Ideal Mexico 2 boiler with a modern combi?

cluelesscitizen

The boiler is working fine but is an old conventional boiler, and what is quite annoying is that the central heating system has no 'y valve' so you can't have hot water without turning on the heating (in the summer we put the thermostat on minimum but it still comes on). I had some plumbing work done and the lads did a good job so I asked them to quote for a new combi boiler while they were there. The total cost to supply and fit a Worcester Greenstar 30i combi boiler would be £3576 - which I think is probably average for the London suburbs.

The boiler existing conventional boiler has been here since I moved in 10 years ago, and was not brand new then, so it's maybe 12 to 20 years old. The model is an Ideal Mexico 2 B.E.D. which is a generic designation (unfortuantely all that I could find on the boiler itself and I spoke to Ideal too), but I have a manual which covers CF 40, CF 50 , and CF 60 which I assume are largely similar but have an increased capacity. As I have a 3 bedroom townhouse, I'm prepared to go with CF 50 as a likely candidate for a mid size house.

I'm just wondering how long is the Ideal boiler likely to last before packing it in, and is it worth replacing it now? It appears to be working without a problem, and although it is annoying having to have central heating on to get hot water, with the thermostat turned down I have lived with it for 10 years. I know the efficiency savings from a combi boiler against a 15 - 20 year old conventional, will not remotely justify it; but with the piece of mind of a new install and separate hot water maybe it is worth it. Just would like to know what people think. Thanks

Ganga

cluelesscitizen wrote: »

The boiler is working fine but is an old conventional boiler, and what is quite annoying is that the central heating system has no 'y valve' so you can't have hot water without turning on the heating (in the summer we put the thermostat on minimum but it still comes on). I had some plumbing work done and the lads did a good job so I asked them to quote for a new combi boiler while they were there. The total cost to supply and fit a Worcester Greenstar 30i combi boiler would be £3576 - which I think is probably average for the London suburbs.

The boiler existing conventional boiler has been here since I moved in 10 years ago, and was not brand new then, so it's maybe 12 to 20 years old. The model is an Ideal Mexico 2 B.E.D. which is a generic designation (unfortuantely all that I could find on the boiler itself and I spoke to Ideal too), but I have a manual which covers CF 40, CF 50 , and CF 60 which I assume are largely similar but have an increased capacity. As I have a 3 bedroom townhouse, I'm prepared to go with CF 50 as a likely candidate for a mid size house.

I'm just wondering how long is the Ideal boiler likely to last before packing it in, and is it worth replacing it now? It appears to be working without a problem, and although it is annoying having to have central heating on to get hot water, with the thermostat turned down I have lived with it for 10 years. I know the efficiency savings from a combi boiler against a 15 - 20 year old conventional, will not remotely justify it; but with the piece of mind of a new install and separate hot water maybe it is worth it. Just would like to know what people think. Thanks

Depends,do you have £3600 spare? a new boiler will save you money in the long term but you do the sums,spend now or wait.

Alter_ego

Consider fitting a Y valve, you'll need one anyway if you update later.

bris

Alter_ego wrote: »

Consider fitting a Y valve, you'll need one anyway if you update later.

It's a combi he is updating too.

cluelesscitizen

Is that correct? I read an article that the savings from the efficiencies of a modern boiler will no way pay for the upgrade unless you have it for decades. The current conventional boiler is maybe 15 years old, but I have read 40 year old boilers still working.



Also, how complex and expensive is fitting a Y valve?

neilmcl

It doesn't sound worth it to me, even a really inefficient boiler isn't going to justify that spend. Do you have it serviced annually?

cluelesscitizen

Not had it serviced for a few years TBH. If they are serviced yearly how long do Ideal Mexico 2 GF 50s last- I dont know if anyone has knowledge of boilers?

neilmcl

cluelesscitizen wrote: »

Not had it serviced for a few years TBH. If they are serviced yearly how long do Ideal Mexico 2 GF 50s last- I dont know if anyone has knowledge of boilers?

How long is a piece of string but it'll last longer if it's regularly serviced than not.

Best to get it serviced and take your lead from what the gas engineer says. If it's working fine then no real need to change it.

ka7e

I think our gas bill reduced by around 10% when we had an ancient boiler replaced. But you would also need to factor in the costs you now have for the CH being on when you don't need it and the water being always on when you need heating. My Mum has the same problem and her bills are a lot higher than mine, with a similar sized house.

Skibunny40

If it's working, I wouldn't bother servicing it however do ensure you have a CO monitor. Our boiler is around 30 years old and hasn't ever been serviced. We're now at the point that it will be impossible to get replacement parts, so when our heating breaks down we'll have to get a new boiler... but we're not spending anything on it in the meantime. Our CO monitor went off once a couple of years ago - in the middle of summer with no gas on! - and the gas engineer who was sent out to confirm that there was no leak, commented on how much better the older boilers were and just to keep it until it stopped working.

southcoastrgi

If the only reason for replacing it is to save on your gas bill then it's not worth it as by the time you have paid for it in savings it will be time to replace it, sounds like you have gravity hot water & should work without the heating being on, I'd get someone to see what the problem is with that, plus if you do decide to change a combi isn't automatically the right choice for your house