Cost to replace a low pressure system boiler with a high pressure combi?

Section62

Geoff_W said:

I have a 12 year old Vaillant EcoTec boiler...

....

However, this has started a family discussion about whether to convert to a combi boiler and get rid of all the tanks in the loft as well as the hot water cylinder.

Before making a decision, research what is proposed in terms of phasing out mains gas as a domestic central heating fuel.  Your new combi probably won't last 12 years, but whenever you come to replace it, the cost/availability of gas combi boilers will look very different compared to today.

The need for domestic consumers to have the ability to store hot water (rather than say paying 'peak' prices to heat on demand) should be a given, in my view. Lots of people currently ripping out their system boiler/hot water cylinder to replace it with a "modern" or "efficient" combi system will be spending money changing it back again, in due course.  A hot water cylinder gives you options and flexibility that a combi lacks.

[Deleted User]

gndalph said:

Last month I had my 20 year old conventional boiler replaced with a Worcester Bosch 28w combi. All the old tanks were removed and a new control system installed. Total cost inc VAT was £2300. 

I found a local sole trader who had excellent reviews and did a great job. Far cheaper than any of the bigger companies out there. If you can find a local sole trader who is trustworthy I think you’d get much cheaper quotes. Try next door.co.uk for your neighbourhood, that is where I found local tradespeople and neighbours recommendations. 

Agreed, but most people will struggle to find an independent installer at this time of the year. They are usually busy fixing boiler/heating faults.

Glum

Dolor said:

Agreed, but most people will struggle to find an independent installer at this time of the year. They are usually busy fixing boiler/heating faults.

I can second this. Sole traders seem to have all the work they need without having to spend a week installing full systems and trying to compete with the likes of BOXT. Getting some sole traders to fix their systems in a reasonable time can be a critical issue in winter.

As Section62 suggests, we are in a strange phase of development. With the trend towards renewable electricity and expensive air-source heat pumps, it's hard to decide on the best investment. It's even been reported recently that a fast charge for an electric vehicle costs more than the equivalent in petrol.

I would like to know whether new gas boilers will be running on a hydrogen mix in the next five to ten years. And beyond that, how many EV owners will be signing up to a compensation scheme.

Geoff_W

[Deleted User] said:

If you want a comparison quote, you could always ask someone like Boxt - I’ve never used them so can’t comment on the service or quality but it would give you another number at least.

I've just had a look at Boxt. I was highly suspicious of the Trustpilot rating (4.9) where the vast majority were 5.0 and a tiny minority all other ratings. Also, there was an eerie 'house style' about the reviews themselves. They could easily have been written by a 'bot' programmed with a few names of 'engineers'. Also, the rate at which reviews are being added doesn't seem credible.

One thing I did learn however; don't buy a Nest Heatlink system - they seem to be extremely unreliable.

Glum

I also noticed that many of the reviews were for simple Nest faults or services. The upside is that they give you a fixed price based on your own specification of the property. If they turn up with a new boiler kit and find out that they need to install a long run of 28mm gas line, AFAIK you won't pay any more. Win some - lose some I guess. That said, you have to pay up front and that will put off a lot of savvy customers.

deanos

Geoff_W said:

Deleted_User said:

If you want a comparison quote, you could always ask someone like Boxt - I’ve never used them so can’t comment on the service or quality but it would give you another number at least.

I've just had a look at Boxt. I was highly suspicious of the Trustpilot rating (4.9) where the vast majority were 5.0 and a tiny minority all other ratings. Also, there was an eerie 'house style' about the reviews themselves. They could easily have been written by a 'bot' programmed with a few names of 'engineers'. Also, the rate at which reviews are being added doesn't seem credible.

One thing I did learn however; don't buy a Nest Heatlink system - they seem to be extremely unreliable.

Look at the last 2 reviews , identical !

PATRICK MORETON

Barry and his mate arrived bang on time and after explaining what they was going to do got straight on the job. They were quick and efficient only stopping for a few minutes to have the coffee and biscuits we supplied lol. After the install they explained clearly how to use the new boiler and controls. On leaving they left the house as clean and tidy as when they arrived. Great lads and a job well done.

Date of experience: 30 September 2022

T Wall

Ronald and his mate arrived bang on time and after explaining what they was going to do got straight on the job. They were quick and efficient only stopping for a few minutes to have the coffee and biscuits we supplied lol. After the install they explained clearly how to use the new boiler and controls. On leaving they left the house reasonably clean, with brick dust the only issue. Great lads and a job well done.

Date of experience: 03 October 2022

Alnat1

I've realised that you should never trust those review sites that have Trust in their names.

Same as I never trust people who say "trust me".

[Deleted User]

deanos said:

Geoff_W said:

Deleted_User said:

If you want a comparison quote, you could always ask someone like Boxt - I’ve never used them so can’t comment on the service or quality but it would give you another number at least.

I've just had a look at Boxt. I was highly suspicious of the Trustpilot rating (4.9) where the vast majority were 5.0 and a tiny minority all other ratings. Also, there was an eerie 'house style' about the reviews themselves. They could easily have been written by a 'bot' programmed with a few names of 'engineers'. Also, the rate at which reviews are being added doesn't seem credible.

One thing I did learn however; don't buy a Nest Heatlink system - they seem to be extremely unreliable.

Look at the last 2 reviews , identical !

PATRICK MORETON

Barry and his mate arrived bang on time and after explaining what they was going to do got straight on the job. They were quick and efficient only stopping for a few minutes to have the coffee and biscuits we supplied lol. After the install they explained clearly how to use the new boiler and controls. On leaving they left the house as clean and tidy as when they arrived. Great lads and a job well done.

Date of experience: 30 September 2022

T Wall

Ronald and his mate arrived bang on time and after explaining what they was going to do got straight on the job. They were quick and efficient only stopping for a few minutes to have the coffee and biscuits we supplied lol. After the install they explained clearly how to use the new boiler and controls. On leaving they left the house reasonably clean, with brick dust the only issue. Great lads and a job well done.

Date of experience: 03 October 2022

That’s not at all suspicious 🤨 😂😂

Cardew

I thought I had read about manipulation of these 'reader's review' type of sites being made illegal??  Does anyone take any notice of Trustpilot etc?

Back to the subject, the OP's quote is IMO stupidly high. In any case a 'high pressure' combi is not a term I can understand. As stated above if you want high pressure hot water get an unvented cylinder or a booster pump.

 

Leon_W

I'm petty enough to report things like this to Trustpilot, so I have