Whether to convert to a combi boiler?

country_sport

Yes. I have the space for it so why not. The immersion heater is only switched on if the combi packs up!

terryw

George_Bray wrote: »

I guess the first thing to understand is your main reason for considering a change. What is the reason, please?

In my house, the boiler is VERY old but its cheap to run and so far at least, ultra reliable - it's never let me down, and it's never been serviced (probably the reason it's never let me down). In my case, it would take longer than my lifetime to recover a huge sum of money like £1850 and that will probably become £2000+ by the time they're finished. There would be ZERO justification in my case. The boiler produces hot water - I can't ask for more.

So are you sure a change is justified in your case? Note I'm not using the word 'upgrade'! Wouldn't the money be better spent on a nice holiday or better car?

Regards
George

I have got to agree with George. Old-style boilers keep going. Combis are great when they work but very little inside them is fixable..........when it breaks down, basically a new unit is required. A combi has a limited life unlike the old-style boilers. I would keep off the basic ones (as another poster said) and buy a better one. Be guided by your corgi guy.

A few years back when I was letting properties, it was quite common for there to be a break-in to steal the combi. I had four vanish this way but this type of crime may be less common now.

Ash_1_2

I have a related question - I have been thinking about changing to a combi so that I can get fresh water in the bathroom and kitchen (the hot water is from the tank of course). I have had the tank cleaned but I can't help thinking that it's more hygenic to wash dishes, brush teeth, have a showeer from mains water that's been heated rather than water that's been hanging around (possibly for a few days) in a 15 year old tank . Am I being overly paranoid and the water is fine?

cajef

George_Bray wrote: »

I guess the first thing to understand is your main reason for considering a change. What is the reason, please?

In my house, the boiler is VERY old but its cheap to run and so far at least, ultra reliable - it's never let me down

Have to agree, my balanced flue boiler is now 15 years old and still in good condition, I do have it serviced once a year.

At the last service I queried about changing it, the answer I got was 'if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is good for several more years and far more reliable than any modern combi boiler'.

Canucklehead

country_sport wrote: »

When i changed to a combi i keep the old hot water tank as a backup just in case. Glad i did.

Hi

I would wonder about the quality of the water after it had been sitting doing nothing in the tank and cylinder for say.... 2 years? Holiday home for Legionella?

Corgi Guy.

Canucklehead

terryw wrote: »

I have got to agree with George. Old-style boilers keep going. Combis are great when they work but very little inside them is fixable..........when it breaks down, basically a new unit is required. A combi has a limited life unlike the old-style boilers. I would keep off the basic ones (as another poster said) and buy a better one. Be guided by your corgi guy.

A few years back when I was letting properties, it was quite common for there to be a break-in to steal the combi. I had four vanish this way but this type of crime may be less common now.

I would agree to a little of the above. However have you considered that a combi contains all the parts of a heating system in one unit. So your cylinder, 2 or 3 port motorised valve, cylinder stat,pump, expansion tank and quite often a filling loop, are all in one small 'boiler'?
If your pump or motorised valve packed up on your 'old style' system would you say that your boiler had packed up?


Corgi Guy.

gasmanmartin

The slower you run a tap with a combi boiler the hotter the water.

If you love your baths i wouldn't bother with it... keep the old system

janineo

Hi there,

I'm seriously considering changing our boiler. It's a back-boiler that's sitting in the fireplace in the living-room with an ugly gas fire in front of it. I wanted to change the gas fire when we moved in 2 yrs ago, and was told, 'sorry it's part of the boiler, you'd need to change the boiler, and by the way you would have to move it to an outside wall aswell.'

How much (roughly) would I be looking at to change & move it? The British Gas person said £5k, but they always hike their prices.

I don't want to loose the hot water tank, I like my baths, thank you. And I've rented flats with combi's before and they are a nightmare when they break. Having it cut out in the middle of your shower? Not fun.

I think the only other option is a condensing boiler, is that correct?

Thanks,
Janine

robv_3

If you have more than one bathroom you may find a combi is not suitable. Even the best combis struggle to supply water to two taps at the same time. A good combi supplies ~15 litres / minute., most supply a lot less. There are guidelines on what flow you expect from each outlet.....

shower: 10l/m
basin tap: 8l/m
bath tap: 12l/m
sink: 10l/m

You can see that opening two taps will saturate the boiler resulting in warm water instead of hot. In this case keeping the cylinder, installing a thermostore or pressurised hot water cylinder is the best way forward. Its also important you cold water supply is up to the job. 20-30l/m is a min if your going to install a combi.

Abinail

gasmanmartin wrote: »

The slower you run a tap with a combi boiler the hotter the water.

If you love your baths i wouldn't bother with it... keep the old system

Hi,
Sorry this may of already been answered.

I'm doing a garage conversion and looking at putting in a combi. It will be a one bed with one bathroom and 4 radiators. Not sure if this makes a difference but the floor, walls and roof are fully insulated.

My parents currently have a Jaguar combi which is horrendous. To have a hot shower you have to run the cold tap in the sink (only in the winter though) and we had massive problems with it since it was installed, ie, losing pressure and just generally not working. I don't want the same problem, so was wondering if anyone could recommend a good combi. I keep hearing good and bad reviews of the same combi so would appreciate some guidance. Because its a garage conversion I don't want to spend a massive amount but understand that quality doesn't come cheap. Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks