New Boiler Replacement or stick with current boiler?

lknights1987

FreeBear said:

Scot_39 said: Might be cheaper to buy a new boiler from an independent - especially if can still get ones with 5 year warranty (comprehensive) included and drop the BG service plan for several years to help pay it off.

When I was shopping around for a new boiler early last year, the locals were quoting £5K or more. Didn't bother asking BG... Boxt/Heatable were coming in at around £2400 and came with a 10 year warranty, but my install wasn't a simple swap. For a like for like swap, depending on where you are in the country, there are adverts on ebay for £600 installs (plus the cost of the boiler).

Once you have a new boiler, you can drop the BG cover, and get an annual service for £60-80 to maintain the warranty. Over ten years, the savings from not lining BG's pockets will pay for the boiler.

If you do decide on a new boiler, it is worth looking at fitting larger radiators so that you can run at a lower flow temperature. Whilst it won't save a huge amount of energy, it will put you in a better position for the day when heat pumps are the only option.

I'm in Ipswich! I had a look on eBay for replacement boilers but not sure which one to go for. Which one do you recommend? Worchester Greenstar 2000 , 4000 ? 

The radiators in my flat are quite big just like the classic compact ones. 

FreeBear

The Greenstar 2000 has a 7 year warranty, whilst the 4000 comes with a 10 year for an extra £300(ish). Personally, I'd pay a little extra for a longer warranty, but WB wouldn't be my first choice (I wanted an  OpenTherm compatible boiler). That said, WB have a solid reputation, and you rarely hear of people having problems unless it is a really old one.

Oh, and I would recommend you go for an installer that offers a supply & fit service rather than sourcing the parts yourself. Even better if you can pay for it on credit card (not debit). That way, you only have one person to chase if there is a problem, and if they don't play ball, you take it up with the CC company.

NorfolkCanary

lknights1987 said:

NorfolkCanary said:

Just reading the servicing manual.....your comment about the red A flashing off/on following hot water usage sounds like the overheat protection has operated, which the manual suggests resetting (as you've tried).
Continuing from that, the manual suggests either:

• a replacement overheat thermostat (£ cheap to replace)
• air within or blockage in heat exchanger / pipework (up-to mid- hundreds £££)
• pump replacement (££ low hundreds to replace)

Thanks for this. The BG engineer replaced the heat exchanger. Luckily the service plan that I have covers parts and labour.  

Sorry, I missed the section in the original post about the heat exchanger already replaced   sorry was trying to juggle too many things at once!

in terms of removing an air lock you'd either do so through the radiators or a convoluted way if in the HW pipework is by turning water off and running/drain the water out the pipes & loo. Then partially close all taps, turn water back on, then open each tap, not guaranteed to work 1st time. Possibly one for a plumber