New Boiler V Old Boiler

piperm87

Hi all,

I've got a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 28 Junior that was fitted in 2006. It seems to be coming to the end of its life cycle now as its not heating the tap water properly - it doesn't get very hot and the rads don't get fully warm.. Its been like it since we moved in in 2020 but we've just battled through it.... I've already had a guy out to it this year as it kept going into fault for another problem, its been repaired but is still struggling.

Now the energy prices are going through the roof im concerned its going to cost me a small fortune to run it over this winter. Anyway, with that been said how efficient are new boilers compared to a 16 year old one and would it be worth changing it now or just eeking it out untill it dies??     I know thats a how long is a piece of string question but any advice would be greatly appreciated

many thanks

Matt

Aar0sc

I had a older (1994) boiler replaced with a Baxi last year, and the difference in heat available and gas usage reduction was remarkable. I haven't kept my notes but the Baxi uses about 1/3rd of the gas, yet we have more showers (as the water stays hot rather than dropping out) and use the heating more often. 

BUFF

A Greenstar 28i Junior was rated at 89.1% efficiency when new. A new boiler may be rated a couple of % more efficient now but it won't be much.
Of course we don't know how efficiently your current boiler is operating - did you get a print out of a flue gas analysis by any chance when you had a guy out?

piperm87

BUFF said:

A Greenstar 28i Junior was rated at 89.1% efficiency when new. A new boiler may be rated a couple of % more efficient now but it won't be much.
Of course we don't know how efficiently your current boiler is operating - did you get a print out of a flue gas analysis by any chance when you had a guy out?

I think its on the guys paperwork which is at home. It required a new pink seal and the motor had become dislodged somehow meaning it was heating up the case of the boiler. I called him because it was cutting out after 5 minutes of running the hot water tap and the reset button would flash but whatever he's done has fixed that issue.... He reckons it has a slight monoxide leak but I've fitted a monoxide detector a meter away at same height as top of boiler and it hasn't picked up any signs of carbon monoxide in the 4 weeks its been fitted.

Lumphammer2

I have been told by several people not to expect a great deal of difference in gas costs with a new boiler.

BUFF

It depends what you are moving from and to what. If it's an old non-condensing boiler to a new condensing boiler with new controls it can be substantial. In piperm87's case his is already a condensing boiler.

MuckChucker

BUFF said:

It depends what you are moving from and to what. If it's an old non-condensing boiler to a new condensing boiler with new controls it can be substantial. In piperm87's case his is already a condensing boiler.

Very much this. In Feb, we went from a properly old but solid and reliable junker to shiny new heat only condenser. We're on track for almost bang on 50% gas usage compared to last year (10937kwh vs 5530kwh), and that's with double the heating schedule from early year (it hasn't kicked in yet for this winter)