Pulsacoil boiler replacement

[Deleted User]

Hi, I’ve got a 16 year old pulsacoil a class boiler thermal store. The header tank keeps overflowing, been told it’s likely not fixable and need a new boiler. 

I’m electric only, and am not using economy 7. I’ve recently decided to replace storage heating with electric panels, purely for my own preference (I am
getting WiFi enabled temperature and time controlled, SH have just not been a good fit for me). The water heater charges overnight.

Im not sure if I need to replace like for like or if there is another brand or type of boiler I can choose. Im under the impression pulsacoil is usually preferred for eco7, so does it make more sense to choose something that can be programmed or heats adhoc? Pulsacoil replacement I’ve been quoted 2k for product and fitting.

Gerry1

There's no point in having a thermal store and then running it on full price electricity !  You might as well run storage heaters during the day, it just defeats the whole point of having storage which is to buy heat when it's cheaper and use it at times when it's more expensive.

Panel heaters are the most expensive way to heat a property.

If you still have your storage heaters, keep them and switch to an E7 tariff.  Make sure the circuits are switched by the meter.

Get some opinions about fixing the Pulsacoil from local plumbers.  Sounds like the person you encountered was on commission and saw you as easy prey.

[Deleted User]

It did seem crazy expensive to me, but I’ve not had to replace a boiler before so wasn’t sure. 

I will phone gledhill directly, as I’ve found local plumbers dont know much about the pulsacoil and aren’t able to repair, they often recommend speaking to an electrician or a specialised gledhill person. 

Would it be better/ cheaper upfront cost to just get a regular boiler, or is there any benefit to the thermal store (beyond the use of eco7?)

Gerry1

AFAIK it's not a boiler, just a glorified hot water tank.  Other forumites may be more familiar with such systems, but I can't see much advantage over the traditional insulated cylinder with two immersion heaters, one at the bottom on an E7 switched circuit, and one halfway up for an expensive half tank top up only if you've messed up.  Especially if it's only used for hot water because you have storage heaters.

But once again, don't just assume that your existing system needs total replacement, a simple and inexpensive repair may be all that's needed.  You don't rush out and by a new car because the radiator leaks a bit, a can of RadWeld or a just a new radiator may be all that's needed.  Don't fall for an expensive sales pitch.

Hasty and wrong decisions will cost you a fortune both now and in the future.