Do we really need a new boiler?

joeyjac

Hi,

I'm just about to move house next week, the house has an Ideal mini c24 boiler which currently supplies the hot water only. I had a plumber out to quote for adding radiators and he said we needed a new boiler. The one in is only around 2 years old, I realise it may not be the best on the market but would it do the job? We will need 7 radiatiors in a 3 bed 70's dutch style semi.

Don't want to spend more money than I need to.

Jo

Canucklehead

Hi

You have 24kw available to central heating, more than enough to do your 7 rads.
Why does it not have a heating circuit? Is there one rad or just a loop of pipe joining the flow and return under the boiler?
Odd situation.

Corgi Guy.

joeyjac

Thanks for your reply

The boiler doesn't do the heating as there is warm air heating in the house, we would rather have radiators though. The boiler has several pipes coming from under it the ones at the left hand side are capped off, I assume its these that would do the radiators?

Canucklehead

Hi

It's this one? http://www.idealboilers.com/mini_c_details.html
Flow and return are the two outside connections. Should have been connected to give a circuit, but if it works then ok I suppose.
Any reason given for dumping the old boiler .(apart from it being an Ideal)?

Corgi Guy.

joeyjac

yes thats the one, I'm sure there are 3 pipes connected on the right, 2 of these have the filling loop attached, I'm sure 2 on the left are not connected, I'm off to the house tomorrow so I'll have a proper look.

Thanks for your help so far.

Jo

Canucklehead

Hi

Find another Corgi who is not inclined to rip you off. Based on the above info.

Good luck

Corgi Guy.

joeyjac

Hi

Just to let you know it was the two outside pipes that were capped off, had another plumber take a look and he said should be no reason why we need a new boiler. Should save us a bit of money.

Thanks for all your help and advice

Jo

budgetflyer

24kw relates to the HW output. More than likely the heating output will be lower. as a rule of thumb deduct 33%. ie CH = 16KW

A 24KW combi is really these days,bottom of the range , ie if running a bath, so slow you should be able to take the dog a walk.
If you have 2 bathrooms, then you need either a rota or intercom system.
Ideally a family house should have at least 28KW for HW, and ideally 35KW which should deliver similar to the "old fashioned tank systems- oh how I pine for the good ol days"
Radiator wise 16KW should do up to 10 radiators in normal sized rooms.
To be honest, the ideal Mini was a "budget" boiler
If you are happy with the hot water, just add the radiators, see how you get on.

I am running my (just extended) 5 bed, 3 bathroom house (15 rads) off a 24KW combi
I just dont have the money to buy a new one this year.

Spending £100 on an extra layer of loft insullation + draughtproofing is so much cheaper and more cost effective (and enviromentaly better)

joeyjac

Thanks for that info Budgetflyer.

We only have one bathroom luckily so will see how it goes, same as you we just don't have the money for a new boiler, house needs major work.

Full rewire, double glazing, new kitchen, new bathroom, Partial new roof and we want to make some alterations :eek:

Good job we got it for a decent price

Jo