Do I need to replace this boiler

danielle_j

We have recently bought our first house. When the mortgage company did their survey they commented that 'the boiler look olds and is probably nearing the end of its useful life'

The boiler in question is a Glow Worm Hideaway, which we think may have been the original boiler fitted when the house was built 33 years ago. The vendor told us that he had recently has it serviced but the heating engineer we have had round says different. He also says that if we do replace the boiler it would be to a combi boiler and that would require all new pipe work so that the high pressure doesn't cause leaks in the old pipes.

But he also says that combi's aren't that great and won't last very long.

We don't know what to do. Do we need to replace the boiler or will it be ok? How much longer is it likely to last?

Thanks
Danielle

andrew-b

Get a second (and third) opinion from reputable, recommended, corgi-registered heating engineer.

If it does need replacing (and may well do if it is that old) then there is no need to switch to a combi if you don't wish to. May be better to cut your losses and have a new boiler installed before the old one fails (and it'll probably happen right when you need it the most!!). The heating engineer is correct in saying that the pipe joints may leak with the higher pressure of a sealed system with a combi...doesn't necessarily mean they will though so i feel he is overselling you here as any leaks at joints could simply be soldered back together! Unless you have a valid reason to (like want to get rid of tanks in the loft for a loft conversion etc), you may be better off with swapping for a conventional (non-combi) condensing boiler.

We had a similar story when we moved in to our house... 13 year old boiler that we were told had been regularly serviced only to find it was temperamental starting and we later found that the flu had been leaking into the kichen with potential for causing carbon monoxide poisoning! As we were going to refurbish the kitchen we replaced with a conventional condensing boiler (Vaillant - which i can recommend). Cost around the £2k mark (year and a half ago) and i'm in the south-east. Installed by Swale Heating (again i highly recommend).

I'd also strongly advise against getting British Gas in for it as they'll charge you above the odds and the person they send to quote you for a system will be a sales guy with little or no experience in installing boilers (sales guy they sent us seemed to have no experience in sales either!!).


Andy

EliteHeat

It's very simple to work out. If it is working then it doesn't need replacing.

plumb1_2

Glow Worm Hideaway= Old workhorse,basic boiler, very little to go wrong, parts available,but is nearing end of life.
Would advise that thermocouple be changed with every service(good pratice).
No need to swop to a combi as stated above.

EliteHeat

plumb1 wrote: »

Glow Worm Hideaway= Old workhorse,basic boiler, very little to go wrong, parts available,but is nearing end of life.
Would advise that thermocouple be changed with every service(good pratice).
No need to swop to a combi as stated above.

Don't bother mate. She or he has posed this question on other forums and got replies, answers and advice that she/he has happily not even bothered to acknowledge.

If he/she was my customer I wouldn't do her any favours. In fact the chances of me working for her/him would now be approximately zero.

Personally I can do without ignorant people in my life, especially people who refer to qualified tradesmen as 'workmen', not the OP to be fair.

EliteHeat

Deleted post

danielle_j

EliteHeat wrote: »

Don't bother mate. She or he has posed this question on other forums and got replies, answers and advice that she/he has happily not even bothered to acknowledge.

If he/she was my customer I wouldn't do her any favours. In fact the chances of me working for her/him would now be approximately zero.

Personally I can do without ignorant people in my life, especially people who refer to qualified tradesmen as 'workmen', not the OP to be fair.

Why be so nasty? I haven't yet acknoldeged people as I have only just turned the PC on and the first thing I wid was to check to forum. Personally Im glad im not your customer either and im really surprised you get any either with that attitude. AND isnt it easier for someone to say 'Ive got the workmen in' rather than 'oh i cant go shopping ive got the qualified tradesmen in' People aren't trying to offend you, my partner is a qualified joiner and im sure he wouldnt mind in the slightest is someone called him a work man

Thanks Plumb1 and Andrew-b- very much appreciated. I have since found out that the boiler isn't as old as we first thought. It was manufacturered from 84-02 but could still be quite old so I think we will change (not to combi) when we do the kitchen. Thanks again

DREAMER

boiler has been running fine 16 months but as of last Monday it keeps shutting down (burner off) and re igniteing and makes a rumbleing/shuddering noise for the brief time the burner is on.It flu`s straight up through ceiling out through tiled roof.When it is burning off and on, the plume seams to come out of the top AND from under the cap of the chimney.Does anyone have any idea`s what this prob could be?No heating or hot water.Many thanks.

Terrysdelight

danielle_j wrote: »

Why be so nasty? I haven't yet acknoldeged people as I have only just turned the PC on and the first thing I wid was to check to forum. Personally Im glad im not your customer either and im really surprised you get any either with that attitude. AND isnt it easier for someone to say 'Ive got the workmen in' rather than 'oh i cant go shopping ive got the qualified tradesmen in' People aren't trying to offend you, my partner is a qualified joiner and im sure he wouldnt mind in the slightest is someone called him a work man

Thanks Plumb1 and Andrew-b- very much appreciated. I have since found out that the boiler isn't as old as we first thought. It was manufacturered from 84-02 but could still be quite old so I think we will change (not to combi) when we do the kitchen. Thanks again

Danielle J - saw your lovely reply from Mr Elite Heat - I think he needs to calm down a bit - he was quite rude and totally missing the point with me. Thankfully there are loads of fantastic people on here all will to help each other and not take a nasty pop at them for no reason.

Good luck with your boiler.

plumb1_2

DREAMER wrote: »

boiler has been running fine 16 months but as of last Monday it keeps shutting down (burner off) and re igniteing and makes a rumbleing/shuddering noise for the brief time the burner is on.It flu`s straight up through ceiling out through tiled roof.When it is burning off and on, the plume seams to come out of the top AND from under the cap of the chimney.Does anyone have any idea`s what this prob could be?No heating or hot water.Many thanks.

make and model of boiler would help;)

Canucklehead

Hi

(Plumb1 boiler make/model in the title line.)
DREAMER
Your boiler is under 2 year warranty, (if it was all done above board and registered)

Corgi Guy.