Should New Boiler go in Loft?

janineo

We're looking at getting our old back boiler replaced with a new convection boiler (not combi).

We've had a couple of plumbers come round to give quotes (though one of them didn't bother sending us the quote) and it has been suggested that the boiler could go in the loft.

I was quite surprised as I thought the water tank had to be higher than the boiler for it all to work?

Does putting the boiler in the loft work? Is it practical, and would you recommend getting it done? Our loft space is fairly low (can only just stand up in centre and I'm 5'5") and has a lot of support beams. Would this be a problem with maintenence?

The alternatives are the airing cupboard where we'd loose about a quarter of the space, or the kitchen, which would cost about £1k more due to the extra distance involved.

Many thanks,
Janine

geri1965_2

I've never heard of a boiler in a loft before although I suppose there is no reason it couldn't go there if it's easy enough to access - in your case it sounds very impractical. Mine is in the kitchen.

What's a convection boiler? Mine doesn't need a tank (combi).

janineo

Oops, I meant condensing!
I'm always doing that, sorry.
It's a boiler where you need a hot water tank.
I know combi's are supposed to be more economical, but I've rented flats with them before and had nothing but trouble. Having the shower repeatedly run cold halfway through is enough to put anyone off! With the condensing boiler, there is always the back-up of an immersion heater.

adaze

Only dealt with Combi's but I would imagine that if the hot water tank is next to the boiler in the loft, then the boiler pump wouldn't have to work so hard, I can see no advantage having the hot water tank above the boiler. If you can get into the loft OK then I'd go for that, out of the way and all, deffo not the kitchen, airing cupboard is an option, for me it would be down to cost...

Doozergirl

Why don't you have a combi boiler and be done with water tanks etc? You never run out of hot water and you should get really decent water pressure.

We have put boilers in lofts before without problem. You just need a thermostat in the house somewhere. We put in a proper loft ladder so that you have easy access to the loft - you only need to go up there if it switches itself off, or to swap it from Heating and Water to Water only and vice versa when (if!) the seasons change.

Saves a lot of space, especially when you only have a diddy kitchen.

janineo

Doozergirl wrote: »

Why don't you have a combi boiler and be done with water tanks etc? You never run out of hot water and you should get really decent water pressure.

Because I've had plenty of experience when the combi breaks and I have no hot water and no heating. A water tank gives you a back up with the immersion heater at least, until the plumber can get to you (no kids, so low on list of priorities of emergency plumbers, usually).
We've already got decent water pressure, and I don't need to 'make space' by removing either tank - We don't need to convert the loft, and there's enough space in the airing cupboard for the towels and sheets. If there ever isn't then I've got too many towels.:rotfl:

Doozergirl wrote: »

We have put boilers in lofts before without problem. You just need a thermostat in the house somewhere. We put in a proper loft ladder so that you have easy access to the loft - you only need to go up there if it switches itself off, or to swap it from Heating and Water to Water only and vice versa when (if!) the seasons change.

Good to know, thanks. We have a thermostat near the stairs. We've been looking for a loft ladder for ages, unfortunately we can't use the standard ones due to the layout of the house and the roof support beams. Trust me, we've investigated this! Currently using a step ladder. :rolleyes:

Thanks,
Janine

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: Requirements for installation of a boiler in the loft...you also mentioned the limited head space etc. in your loft.... this has implications for DHW supply. Did the CORGIs quote for a system or regular boiler? Replacement HW cylinder? You might have to bite the bullet and fork out for an installation elsewhere in the house if the CORGI adheres to Building regs/manufacturer's specifications/'Best Practice'.

Let us know how you get on.

Canucklehead

Vomityspice

We recently had our new Bosch Combi boiler installed in the loft. As we live in a very small house, the advantage of putting it in the loft was that the small tank that was in the airing cupboard could go and we can actually use it as an airing cupboard. The other 'advantage' to us was that it was easier to connect up the condensation pipe to our main drain (it's runs through the middle of the house!)
Why would you waste valuable kitchen space with a cupboard containing a boiler? In reality, how many times do people actually do anything with the boiler? In my last house, the boiler was serviced every year and I never touched it! Why would I?

The new controller is wireless so there is no need to run wires over the house.

Our old system was all electric and was rubbish in comparison. I'm not sure why your against a combi. Buy the right one (every one will have an opinion on what to buy!) and it will be fine and then you can get rid of the water tank as well.

The 'advantage' of having a 'tank full of hot water' is easily outwieghed by the fact your not heating that very same tank twice a day! A combi's more eco-friendly as you only heat the water you need. As it's a new install, you'll get at least a years worth of warrenty (possibly more depending on make and/or installer) so go for it!

geri1965_2

I didn't realise you needed a hot water tank with a condensing boiler.

janineo

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon: Requirements for installation of a boiler in the loft...you also mentioned the limited head space etc. in your loft.... this has implications for DHW supply. Did the CORGIs quote for a system or regular boiler? Replacement HW cylinder?

Thanks for the link, it's informative. It doesn't say how much vertical clearence is required, but the Corgi guys did look in the loft, so I'm assuming it's ok. Maybe it's just me thinking the roof is low as it's lower than my parents loft.

The permenent means of entry could be a problem though, as we are having trouble finding a loft ladder that will fit in the space.

I'm not sure whether it was a system or regular boiler - what's the difference?
There was no mention of replacement HW cylinder though.

Thanks,
Janine

bagpuss_fan

Put it in a kitchen cupboard!

We have a condensing boiler (in the kitchen, covered by a "larder" cupboard, which we can still use the bottom of for pans etc). Our tank is in a cupboard half way up the stairs.

We've had it for nearly 3 years and it's great, my DH insisted we get it (even though it was twice the price of the combi), and I don't regret it for one minute. In the morning, there's 4 of us, all having lovely high pressure showers, one after the other, taps being run downstairs and the loo being flushed and it doesn't affect the shower one bit. We've never ran out of hot water because it heats it so quick. Definately get one, you'll be really pleased.

We do have to repressure the boiler quite a lot though, (this involves turning the tap under the boiler to get the pressure back up), not difficult, but I can't emagine having to get into the loft everytime to do it! It needs this doing as our pipes are old and we have one leaky rad, we check the pressure all the time.

You should definately get more quotes. At least 4, in writing, which is what we did, they varied enormously.

Our boiler's a worcester and the tank is an oslo.