Replacing old boiler for new to save money in the long run

Golden_Holden

I'm looking for advice from much wiser heads than mine. 

I currently have a conventional (heat only) gas boiler in my garage with a tank in the loft and a cylinder in the airing cupboard. With current energy prices being what they are, I find that putting the heating on or running a bath sees my smart meter jump up by around a £1 an hour. This seems excessive, even in the current climate. It also causes my electric to go up by quite a bit too as a pump is required to give me pressure. 

So my question - given the boiler is at least 20+ years old and I will have to replace it at some point, would it be wise  to do it now and reap the benefits of a more efficient boiler or should I hold out until it packs in? 

If the advice is a new one, I've had a quote for around £3400 for a new Worcester boiler replacement. Sounds reasonable to me for the size of house (two occupants, 3 beds, 1 loft conversion, 1 bathroom, 1 wc, 13 rads) but will of course shop around. 

Thanks in advance! 

jackieblack

Subscribing to this thread as I've been wondering the same (have seen BG advertising 5 years interest free credit atm)

BUFF

can you say:
what model your existing boiler is
what heating controls you have currently (programmer/room 'stat/TRVs etc.)
your annual gas consumption in kWh
Is the quote for boiler only or does that also include updated controls?

Is the pump that you mention the normal circulating pump or a pump for e.g. shower?
If the latter you could always go with a system boiler with a new unvented tank (more cost of course) which would give you mains pressure from your taps..

There are 2 differing schools of thought:
a) replace as soon as possible to start reaping savings from improved efficiency asap (especially through the heavy consumption winter period). The answers to above questions will inform projected length of return on investment.
b) new boilers are more complicated so tend to have shorter lifespans/be less reliable so run your existing boiler into the ground/until it needs a major repair rather than have capital cost of replacement sooner

SaverRate

jackieblack said:

Subscribing to this thread as I've been wondering the same (have seen BG advertising 5 years interest free credit atm)

Please dont go with British gas for your boiler install. Even if they offer the 5 year interest free credit you dont get the manufacturers warranty and you can most likely get the boiler for cheaper elsewhere

Golden_Holden

Hi Buff 

Current boiler is a Potterton Kingfisher 2. 
Heating controls consist of a programmer in the airing cupboard, plus a room stat and TRVs on new rads. 
My annual gas consumption is difficult as we have recently gone from four adults to two living in the house - as it stands we are averaging around 1000kwh per month. 

The quote is for boiler, install, removal of old system and Google Nest thermostat controls.

Thanks

BUFF

The Kingfisher 2 had a SAP of 65% when new, it probably isn't performing at that now. A new WB, used properly should be 90%+.
As far as controls I would suggest that if you go WB to go with WB controls - they will allow the boiler to modulate more efficiently than Nest & if installed at the same time as a WB boiler will be warrantied for the same length of the boiler (potentially up to 12 years).

Golden_Holden

BUFF said:

The Kingfisher 2 had a SAP of 65% when new, it probably isn't performing at that now. A new WB, used properly should be 90%+.
As far as controls I would suggest that if you go WB to go with WB controls - they will allow the boiler to modulate more efficiently than Nest & if installed at the same time as a WB boiler will be warrantied for the same length of the boiler (potentially up to 12 years).

Thank you so much for the advice - it is invaluable. Cheers

BUFF

If you currently use the mythical "average" figure of 12500kWh of gas usage I would expect you to save ~£365 per year at current prices. This means that the system upgrade would pay for itself within 10 years (at current kWh prices).
In reality I would not be surprised that if you used the increased control available you could handsomely beat that.

Golden_Holden

Sorry, another silly question, I presume that a combi would also negate the need for the pressure pump as it would give me the pressure?

Bendy_House

Golden_Holden said:

Sorry, another silly question, I presume that a combi would also negate the need for the pressure pump as it would give me the pressure?

Yes, PROVIDED you have good mains flow and pressure?

Bendy_House

The quote you've received, is that for a combi?