2 boilers - will we need seperate cover for each?

lexie55_2

Canucklehead wrote: »

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

Ho hum.

Canucklehead

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Cardew

Canucklehead wrote: »

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

Ho hum.

Canucklehead

Would I ever let you down Canucklehead?

It is a Worcester 9.24 Electronic BF (input 30kWh: output 24kWh) I have the full tecnical specs.

With the switch in the 'Winter' position(I keep it there) the maximum flow is 7litres/Min but with very cold inlet water I have to reduce that flow.

I had a good look at the Alpha concept you posted - looks interesting.

It echos my thoughts about the main disadvantage of combis viz:

Overcomes flow rate issues associated with combi's

I like the detailed spec(I even noticed that they have the energy losses incorrect - the 25l and 50l are reversed!)

It is impressive that the tank heats up in 4-8 minutes and it is ready to go again with nice warm 50C water.

I would point out that it makes the realistic claim for a maximum flow of 18litre/min, but at least it is warm water.

It seems the only penalty in running costs will be the extra 800kWh pa. for losses from the pre-warming cylinder.

I wish the FlowStart had a longer guarantee than 3 years though.

Any idea of costs?

When the time comes for me to replace my main boiler I still think I will stick with a conventional system though.

Canucklehead

Good morning: My OH installed the WBs way back when ...only 24 kw DHW so low flow rate;) I don't have a price for the complete Alpha system but the cost for two of the components i.e. boiler and gas saver are listed on the Energysmart site www.energy-smart.org.uk (our usual supplier)... we would consider the system in our next project....5 year guarantee would be preferable.

HTH

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

lexie55 wrote: »

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Good morning: I can hear you down in Kent!;)

Canucklehead

Cardew

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good morning: My OH installed the WBs way back when ...only 24 kw DHW so low flow rate;) I don't have a price for the complete Alpha system but the cost for two of the components i.e. boiler and gas saver are listed on the Energysmart site www.energy-smart.org.uk (our usual supplier)... we would consider the system in our next project....5 year guarantee would be preferable.

HTH

Canucklehead

Hi,
I appreciate 24kW DHW is not high.

However the latest biggest Worcester Greenstar Highflow 440 Boiler which claims to produce 20 litres/min is 'only' 30kW DHW.

If producing ample instant hot water isn't a problem for combis, why the need for the FlowSmart?

I am simply making the point that to make a headline claim a flow of 20 litres/min and then qualify that statement in the small print that it is water at 35C with the input water temperature at 10C is something of a joke.

By the way I am not 'knocking' combis. I could easily live with the reduced DHW flow in winter. It is just that if I have the choice(and I do) I will go for a conventional system. If for no other reason than I also have a baxi fire that feeds water to the HW tank as well.

Canucklehead

Good morning: We have personal preferences based on individual needs and 'frames of reference'. As you stated in a previous post, you chose a combi for reasons of 'space considerations and ease/cost of installation' the same reasons why many of my OH's clients opt for a combi (only after they have been advised of the advantages/disadvantages/alternatives and referred to the excellent guide on the installation and specification of central heating systems produced by the Energy Saving Trust http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/housingbuildings/ce30.pdf . Many clients will opt for 'Basic Practice' i.e. minimum required under Building regs instead of recommended 'Best Practice' (as outlined in the EST guide)...their choice as is my OH's to only follow 'Best Practice'. In regard to manufacturer's 'claims' I always take them with a grain of salt regardless of the arena.

HTH

Canucklehead

P.S. Energysmart is a non-profit organization. I assume you meant 'Flowsmart' the Alpha product.

Cardew

Good Morning again.

Thanks - I did mean Flowsmart and have corrected my post.

This thread is in danger of becoming a defence of combis.

As I said above, I am not 'knocking' combis and there is not really any need to defend them - I chose one for an annex because it suited my purpose and I can live with the main disadvantage.

The excellent EST guide you linked to, states this on Combis:

These boilers are capable of providing a continuous flow of hot water, but
at a lower rate than typical hot water storage systems.As such, they may
be less suitable for dwellings where there may be simultaneous demands

for hot water, ie multiple bathroom/shower room dwellings.

That sums up exactly my point of view and my situation! I have a separate boiler room so space is not a problem.

There have been plenty of other posters on here who have also 'complained' about insufficient DHW flow.

Its a fact - not a fault!

silvercar

Back to the OP. We have the main boiler (ancient), system, plumbing, electrics etc insured with BG homecare 400 and the smaller new boiler insured by its manufacturer on boiler only insurance. Seemed to work out cheaper that way.

To the technical lot, the combi little boiler (potterton performa 28i) serves 5 rads and a heated towel rail plus 2 en-suites one with shower and bath, one shower alone. We get long showers from this with no running out of hot water, though the heat is interupted if we try and run both showers at the same time. (in fact the cold water to the shower drops if someone flushes the loo on that side of the house!).

The main boiler (profile??) is possibly 20 years old and the power shower running off that runs out of water during a long shower.

We didn't instal any of this, but it does suit our needs, lazy bath in the main bathroom and power showers in the en-suites.

Canucklehead

Good morning: defence of combis? The OH installs/services/repairs regular, system and combination boilers and doesn't recommend combis over other options to the detriment of the client. The wise consumer investigates options, evaluates evidence, can differentiate between fact and opinion and always 'considers the source' hence my recommendations on numerous threads to 1. get 3 written, full specification quotes for CH systems from CORGIs recommended to the client by a source he or she trusts and 2. research, research, research (though be particularly vigilant when evaluating the advice given by anonymous posters on internet forums:D) Knowledge is power.
To the OP: Hope you've managed to find suitable cover. Let us know how things pan out for you. You could always bank the money as suggested in the Boiler Cover tips.http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/boiler-insurance

HTH

Canucklehead ( aka an 'anonymous poster' on this internet forum)

Cardew wrote: »

Good Morning again.

Thanks - I did mean Flowsmart and have corrected my post.

This thread is in danger of becoming a defence of combis.

As I said above, I am not 'knocking' combis and there is not really any need to defend them - I chose one for an annex because it suited my purpose and I can live with the main disadvantage.

The excellent EST guide you linked to, states this on Combis:



That sums up exactly my point of view and my situation! I have a separate boiler room so space is not a problem.

There have been plenty of other posters on here who have also 'complained' about insufficient DHW flow.

Its a fact - not a fault!

Canucklehead

silvercar wrote: »

To the technical lot, the combi little boiler (potterton performa 28i) serves 5 rads and a heated towel rail plus 2 en-suites one with shower and bath, one shower alone. We get long showers from this with no running out of hot water, though the heat is interupted if we try and run both showers at the same time. (in fact the cold water to the shower drops if someone flushes the loo on that side of the house!).

The main boiler (profile??) is possibly 20 years old and the power shower running off that runs out of water during a long shower.

We didn't instal any of this, but it does suit our needs, lazy bath in the main bathroom and power showers in the en-suites.

Good morning: You've hit the nail on the head i.e. the set up is appropriate to your needs...best of both 'boiler worlds'.

Canucklehead