New boiler question

raddy59

We have a Worcester Bosch 28CDi combi boiler for about 20 years
It's been fine apart from the usual glitch and maintenance
Just recently the water to the taps has been running hot and cold (heating and shower are fine)
Our regular plumber said it was getting old and probably needs replacing, saying it is probably down to the heat exchanger?
Cost - just over £3000!

Is the heat exchanger costly/problematic to change - I really would be stretched to find £3k atm

lohr500

Looking on this website, it seems that your existing boiler is an older non condensing design, with a theoretical efficiency of 78.9%

https://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/efficiency-tables?model=001758

How much is your annual gas bill? A modern replacement boiler should be delivering 90%+ efficiency, saving you at least 14% a year on your gas bill, assuming similar usage with the new boiler.

A new heat exchanger will cost around £150 plus the cost of fitting. Don't know how long they take to fit, but I could imagine the bill ending up at £300 +.

https://www.plumbarena.co.uk/product/worcester-87161429030-plate-heat-exchanger-pvw-14e/

There are cheaper refurbished heat exchangers advertised but I have no idea if they are any good.

Because your boiler is 20 years old, If it was me I would get some alternative quotes to replace with a new high efficiency condensing version. And look for one with the longest manufacturers parts and labour warranty.

Also use BOXT to give you an estimate for replacing the boiler. They aren't the cheapest but at least you will have another cost indication. 

raddy59

Thanks lohr - BOXT are coming in £700 cheaper. Are they reliable?

lohr500

I don't know anything about BOXT, but have seen them mentioned on the forum. Perhaps others can comment or do a search for BOXT..
Usually the posts suggest they are a bit more expensive than other quotes.
If you do go down the route of getting a replacement you should contact a number of local heating engineers for quotes.

Do consider the warranty though as paying a little bit more when buying the boiler will give you longer peace of mind should anything go wrong with it. Most extended manufacturer warranties will require an annual service by an approved engineer, but you should get the boiler serviced annually anyway.

FreeBear

lohr500 said: I don't know anything about BOXT, but have seen them mentioned on the forum. Perhaps others can comment or do a search for BOXT..
Usually the posts suggest they are a bit more expensive than other quotes.

Will still be way cheaper than BG.

I had a few quotes from local companies when I went shopping for a new boiler. The Boxt/Heatable type outfit was still much cheaper (no, I won't recommend the outfit I used). The work was subcontracted to a local Gas Safe engineer - Some of his work was wanting, and I'm not convinced that the new gas pipe is up to spec. Certainly, the CP12 was filled in incorrectly (claimed to had done a visual inspection on earth bonding. None fitted !!). Will have Viessmann do a service, and take the outfit to town should the boiler fail on any installation issues.

Zandoni

I decided that I wanted a Vaillant boiler so I got 3 quotes from Vaillants recommended installers and one other, my quotes varied by £1100.

Netexporter

Why not investigate getting a heat pump? With the £7500 grant is may not cost much different to replacing the boiler.

FreeBear

Netexporter said:

Why not investigate getting a heat pump? With the £7500 grant is may not cost much different to replacing the boiler.

Total cost for my boiler last year was ~£3000 - That included new (larger) radiators, pipework, and the boiler. I did the plumbing on the wet side myself and left the gas & final fitting to a registered Gas Safe engineer.

Octopus are currently quoting me ~£2700 for a heat pump which also includes new radiators plus a DHW tank. With the relaxation of the rules for insulation upgrades, I'm beginning to wish I'd waited...