Combi Boiler Replacement

plumb1_2

Planeteer said:

plumb1_2 said:

Could be a faulty divertor valve 

Is that a part of the boiler, or external to it? Another nail in the coffin for that boiler?

Inside the boiler

Bendy_House

A sticky diverter valve is indeed the most likely cause. It's often part of what they call a 'hydroblock', although the diverter components can be replaced separately like a refurb kit.

If you are wanting to fix this boiler rather than replace it, then check out 'fixed price repairs', but make sure mainXs are included.  There's also the risk with these FPRs that, by the time they tally up everything that needs doing, they'll declare your boiler 'beyond economical repair'. And will charge you a call-out fee for the privilege.

Check the T&Cs properly. But, they can be a good bet.

[Deleted User]

Planeteer said:

What are some trustworthy boiler brands by the way?

Worcester are not bad either - they are part of the Bosch empire !

Planeteer

Thank you so much guys. Based on your suggestions, I have been doing some more research on the future of gas vs electricity and came across the following intent by the UK government  to shift green levies from electricity to gas bills, making the latter more expensive than electricity in the long run. However, given the anticipated rise in gas price, I doubt the UK government  will be able to pile on the pressure on gas prices (even though they are less than electricity). Would that sway you to look at an electric boiler or a heat pump instead?

https://www.ft.com/content/54b437ad-4683-434e-89aa-e26772092b31

Bendy_House

If you are going to replace it now, then I would personally go for another gas boiler. I can't see a cheaper alternative to fit and/or run for many years.

But who can read the future?

Section62

Planeteer said:

However, given the anticipated rise in gas price, I doubt the UK government  will be able to pile on the pressure on gas prices (even though they are less than electricity). Would that sway you to look at an electric boiler or a heat pump instead?

The increase in wholesale gas prices is a 'blip'.  It will trickle down to most retail customers next spring (when the need for heating drops off) when the price cap is reviewed.

Energy prices have a habit of falling after a peak, and it is during that post-peak fall that governments tend to insert new taxes or increased the rates for existing ones.  The bigger the 'peak', the more scope there is for increased taxation on the way down.

Anyone who follows the price of road fuel will be familiar with this technique, and the pressure applied by 'green' lobby groups for taxation to be increased in a falling market to maintain the financial disincentive against fossil fuel use. (but never to reduce taxation to ease the financial burden on users in the other direction)

This is the way - alongside the 'escalator' - that road fuel costs were ratcheted up in the period to about 2011.

Gas users can now expect the same kind of ride.  Make sure you strap in tight.


Would that make me buy an electric boiler or heat pump?  Probably not at this time.

But it would put me off converting a system boiler to a combi, and I'd also be more willing to spend money on repairs to an existing boiler if that meant delaying full replacement until the picture is clearer.

Section62

Bendy_House said:

But who can read the future?

BBC news now report "the climate crisis" as a fact, not a slogan, so the direction of travel is pretty clear.

edgex

Before changing your heating system, how's the properties insulation?

Bendy_House

Section62 said:

Bendy_House said:

But who can read the future?

BBC news now report "the climate crisis" as a fact, not a slogan, so the direction of travel is pretty clear.

I didn't expect that curveball.

Planeteer

Final question - considering Vaillant ecofit Pure 830 (£2375) vs Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000/30 (£2685), both with Hive. Any votes either way? (And is an aluminium exchanger an issue?)