2 boilers - will we need seperate cover for each?

horsepills

Can anyone help with this question...

We have 2 seperate boilers in our house - a large Potterton for the central heating, and a smaller one for the hot water. We're thinking of taking out British Gas' "Homecare" cover for boiler protection - but will I need to pay twice the normal amount? i.e. one policy per boiler?

lexie55_2

Normally is separate policies but one would be boiler only and the other could be boiler and system ( cylinder, radiators )

Cardew

I have two boilers - a large floorstanding one and a combi, but slightly different to you in that I have 2 CH systems.

BG would only offer me a 10% discount(on the smaller system) for having both systems on homecare. I did ask what would happen if I just wanted the main house CH system and only the combi boiler from the other system covered(i.e. not the radiators), and they wouldn't even give me a 10% discount.

Eventually I left as the costs were getting silly - £450pa

george1939

It is not necessary to have two boilers I get all central heating and 19 litres of hot water per minute'forever' from my one combi {worcester}Highflow please check each boilers specification [easy enough to couple in hot water pipes and dispence with one of the boilers.Only one wear and tear then and maintenance

Cardew

george1939 wrote: »

It is not necessary to have two boilers I get all central heating and 19 litres of hot water per minute'forever' from my one combi {worcester}Highflow please check each boilers specification [easy enough to couple in hot water pipes and dispence with one of the boilers.Only one wear and tear then and maintenance

That of course depends on the size of your house, a combi is not sufficient for some houses; especially if you want plenty of hot water.

If you have existing plumbing and Hot water tanks it can be a huge job to modify the plumbing to fit a combi.

Personally I would NEVER have a combi, as a hot water tank is much preferable.

Incidentally what temperature is the water if you produce a flow of 19 litres a minute?

I really get amused at the claims of Combi manufacturers.
Even the Worcester Greenstar Highflow 440 Boiler which is their large floorstanding combi produces that flow rate with the water temperature at only 35C with the input temperature at 10C. e.g it is heating water by only 25C.

Even with the input water temperature at 10C, the flow rate is about 7 litres/min if you want water at 45C.

In winter input water temperatures can typically be below 5C.

Hot water tanks usually have their temperature at 60C.

george1939

I can have the '''hottest bath''' every 10 minutes I run 3 showers at once 'when not using the bath' continuosly 'for ever if need be'. I have 2 heated bathrooms +ensuite and 4 'heated' bedrooms and 4 wc's with heated radiators and 3 living rooms total radiators 28 One problem ,not the hot water' but the 'cost' even using gas .Not at all difficult to couple in existing pipes to give one system out of two because 'remember' you are only dealing with water not 'GAS' ''Combi 13 years old'' 'A doddle for any plumber'

Canucklehead

Hi

Given the choice between a theoretical opinion on a high flow combi.(Cardew) and an actual personal experience of one (george1939) which would you go for?

Cardew.
Just out of interest , I assume you only tolerate the combi you have because it was already installed in your property? Otherwise what is wrong with it?
Over the course of a year (for example) how much work has the combi needed on it as compared to the floor mounted?
How many times has your water main failed in the same period.?
You also spent out on a pump for your bathroom a while ago. You wouldn't have needed that with a combi.

Corgi Guy.

PS Apologies to OP for going off piste.

Cardew

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi

Given the choice between a theoretical opinion on a high flow combi.(Cardew) and an actual personal experience of one (george1939) which would you go for?

Cardew.
Just out of interest , I assume you only tolerate the combi you have because it was already installed in your property? Otherwise what is wrong with it?
Over the course of a year (for example) how much work has the combi needed on it as compared to the floor mounted?
How many times has your water main failed in the same period.?
You also spent out on a pump for your bathroom a while ago. You wouldn't have needed that with a combi.

Corgi Guy.

PS Apologies to OP for going off piste.

Regarding a Combi.

I had a small(900 sq ft) coach house converted and chose a Gas CH system with a combi. - for space considerations and ease/cost of installation

It is adequate for the job it does, but not great for DHW. What is '"wrong with it" (as you put it) is that in winter you have to turn down the flow of hot water to get it at what I consider to be a decent temperature.

Talking to a BG fitter once, he stated that they get loads of calls from people on their Homecare complaining that they don't get enough hot water and thinking it is a fault.

I have had plenty of experience of using Combis in other accomodation and ventured the opinion that I would never have a Combi from choice - I much prefer a conventional DHW system with tank.

Regarding the comments I made above on hot water flow.

I merely pointed out that the figures given by manufacturers e.g. 20L/min of water at 35C with input water at 10C, are rather like car manufacturers quoting their car will do 60mpg at a steady 56mph - true but hardly representative!

I did not, and do not, dispute that big Combis are adequate for many people or that George1939's boiler doesn't perform as he wishes.

Canucklehead

Good morning: Cardew... Just out of interest, which combi do you have at the moment? As you are aware, water flow/water pressure and the combi spec. will impact on DHW performance. My apologies to the OP also;).

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: Adding further to the issue raised earlier in the thread,Alpha has a developed a new combination boiler system designed to overcome the problem of seasonal changes in mains water temperature and resultant impact on DHW combi flow rate....an interesting alternative to a system boiler/unvented cylinder combo... http://www.alpha-boilers.com/products/?id=1046 and http://www.alpha-boilers.com/products/downloads/flowsmart_25/alpha_FlowSmart_service_guide.pdf Has anyone had practical experience of this system yet or have any thoughts on the product/concept?

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good morning: Cardew... Just out of interest, which combi do you have at the moment? As you are aware, water flow/water pressure and the combi spec. will impact on DHW performance. My apologies to the OP also;).

Canucklehead

Good evening:
Hmmm:think: ...guess an answer isn't forthcoming from the party in question.

Ho hum.

Canucklehead