Replacing replacing old boiler, should i replace radiators as well.

y0me

The old potterton cast-iron boiler has started leaking and needs replacing. I have been given quotes to replace the old boiler with an 18 kW openvented condensing boiler and TRV on bedroom boilers and another qoute for a 19kW close vented condensing boiler with replacement of all radiators in the house.

The advice given was that if a closed vented boiler is installed then the high pressure will cause the old radiators to leak, and that better efficiency will be achieved. There has been no hardsell but suggestion that new radiators are more efficient.

The house is a 4 bed detached house with largish rooms.
Is there any advantage to a) installing a closed vented over an open vented condensing boiler (saved loft space of cold water tank is not an issue) b) if a closed vented boiler is installed, is there any advice whether radiators should be replaced with it. The two quotes openvented 3000 and closed + rads 6000.

i am not diy savvy with limited knowledge, any advice is welcome.
thanks

Markyt

I recently had a new combi boiler and new rads to replace the original heater boiler (put in sometime in the 70's by the look of things.

The amount of heat the new radiators put out compared to the old ones is amazing. If you don't have fairly modern rads, I'd get them changed.

ariba10

Our original CH boiler was a Rayburn solid fuel. Put in in the late 1960s.

The boiler has been upgraded three times. It is now a combie.

Four of the original radiators are still in the system.

It might be that we live in a soft water area but no problems so far.

Canucklehead

Hi

On the information you have posted I would say have the open vented with TRVs, but keep the rads.
I would flush the system with (if possible) the old boiler heating the water to ensure all the radiator is heating up.(I mean flush with a machine)
If you have a problem with radiators not heating the room properly, after the system is all done, then replace them as needed.
(With an old cast iron boiler on an open vented system it will most likely be quite dirty.)


I would be more concerned with the radiators and pipework leaking due to age or corrosion than efficiency
I could only recommend replacing the rads if I could see them.(which I can't)
A Magnaclean or Boiler Buddy (google them) would be a good idea on the return pipe to the boiler.

I addition to TRVs you should have a programmer or a programmable room stat. with motorised valves to the hot water and c/h circuits.An automatic by pass as well.


Corgi Guy.

amani_2

hi y0me Im in the same sittuation as you as from last thursday was covered with BG but the part for my boiler (the casing) is not available anymore! BG turned off my gas so have no heating at all. My boiler and heating are working fine but there is now a small hole in the casing due to corrotion(sp?), which is very dangerous due to fumes escaping.
Anyway had a couple of quotes for a condesing boiler and full system 7 radiators and all pipework replaced, first one £3,600 second one £2,700. hubby wants it for £2,500 so we are now arguing over £200!



AMANI XXX

y0me

Many thanks for the responses. I have found them really useful. I am thinking of going in for a closed vented system Veissmann ( ia m told they are the best) without replacing the radiators at present. Hopefully this will knock 2K of the quote. Hopefully the higher pressure will not cause leaks, I do take on board Markyt's experience with the new rad giving out much better heat output and will feel really silly if in the end they have to be replaced for leaking.

Canucklehead

Hi

That sounds like a good plan. Viessmann are reputed to be good. You could have one of these fitted to the return of the boiler.http://www.adeysolutions.co.uk/Professional.asp

Hope it goes well

Corgi Guy.

Johnhowell

amani wrote: »

hi y0me Im in the same sittuation as you as from last thursday was covered with BG but the part for my boiler (the casing) is not available anymore! AMANI XXX

What the BG "engineer" really meant was the BG warehouse did not stock the part - most parts are available for even very old boilers. An independant plumber would usually have been able to source the part.

John

amani_2

Johnhowell wrote: »

What the BG "engineer" really meant was the BG warehouse did not stock the part - most parts are available for even very old boilers. An independant plumber would usually have been able to source the part.

John

really is that true??????? Im so peeeeed off about that now as I have asked the company to start work now (starting tomorrow). Ive canceled my contract with BG now!!!!!!!!! Ive had the cover for my central heating and boiler for 12yrs only had them out twice for miner things, when I really needed help they couldnt do anything!

gasmanmartin

amani wrote: »

really is that true???????

No. If BG say the part is not available then that means that the parts desk has checked with the manufacturer and the part is not made any more and BG have been unable to source it from elsewhere. If someone did get you the part is is likely that it is not the manufacturers part and therefore may not be 100% safe.

If it's not 100% safe, is it really worth doing?

scottpa100

Has anyone got an answer to this question? If you replace the boiler with a brand new A efficiency condensing boiler - is it worth replacing the radiators? I can fully appreciate that modern boilers will burn gas more efficiently and the water pump will require less electric but what about the radiators? They are still hollow metal panels filled with hot water to convect heat or am I missing a trick?

I guess it comes down to this:_

If you had an old double panel radiator of x size and a brand new double panel radiator that was exactly the same size as the old one, will the new radiator radiate more heat / BTUs? (And if yes, why? Only cos' I'm interested! )

Any help / advice very greatly appreciated.