which type of boiler is best??

renton · 24-01-2010, 09:40 AM

later on in the year im going to replace my old potterton boiler with a newer more efficient worcester bosch one as i have a mate who works there and he gets a good discount!!

at the moment i have a boiler and a big hot water tank taking up space in the airing cupboard.

i was thinking of getting a boiler which gives me instant hot water so i can get rid of the hot water tank and the power shower i have too.

would it work out better in the long run(money saving wise) to go this way or should i just stick? to a boiler that will work with the water tank??

oh and what are the names of the types of boilers im on about?

cheers

steve

robj20 · 24-01-2010, 09:50 AM

I always thought having a boiler and tank was better for lots of hot water through out the day. Instant boilers better for quick small amounts of hot water.
We tend to use the central heating a lot and run about 2 baths a day so a big tank is best for us.

PB S5 · 24-01-2010, 09:51 AM

I dont know much about boilers but I would have a look at the Vailant (check sp) range. I have one and it came highly recommended by my plumber mates.

EliteCarCare · 24-01-2010, 09:56 AM

Most people go for a condensing boiler nowadays (if you want rid of tanks and you want constant hot water).

There are plenty to choose from, personally I would pay a little extra and get a well recognised brand such as a Vaillant Ecotec, I've had a few vaillants in properties over the years and they've always proved reliable.

One thing I would suggest with the recent cold spell we've had is to ask the installer to fit the condensing flow pipe in a position where it's less likely to freeze as this has been a problem with lots of these types of boilers recently.

Alex

DiscoDriver · 24-01-2010, 10:05 AM

^+1 what Alex said.

Condensing boilers are in theory cheaper to run in the long term and will thus save you money. They only do this if you need to change your existing boiler, otherwise it would be a very long time before the annual savings you make using the condesing boiler would offset the initial new boiler outlay.

Avanti · 24-01-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renton

later on in the year im going to replace my old potterton boiler with a newer more efficient worcester bosch one as i have a mate who works there and he gets a good discount!!

at the moment i have a boiler and a big hot water tank taking up space in the airing cupboard.

i was thinking of getting a boiler which gives me instant hot water so i can get rid of the hot water tank and the power shower i have too.

would it work out better in the long run(money saving wise) to go this way or should i just stick? to a boiler that will work with the water tank??

oh and what are the names of the types of boilers im on about?

cheers

steve

You are right to ask about boilers, I still have an old G rated system with hot water tank it's over 18yrs old and works and works, I have changed the pump £50 changed the solenoid valve switch £50 and the thermocouple £2 .
I can see a boiler being more effecient when in standby mode, but when generating heat there cannot be much in it, 2 of my brothers have swapped there boilers and I am waiting for their gas bill to compare it with my own, as the gas people will tell you that a boiler will never pay for itself.
If removing the boiler can reveal useful space or the current unit packs up, then go for it

EliteCarCare · 24-01-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avanti

You are right to ask about boilers, I still have an old G rated system with hot water tank it's over 18yrs old and works and works, I have changed the pump £50 changed the solenoid valve switch £50 and the thermocouple £2 .
I can see a boiler being more effecient when in standby mode, but when generating heat there cannot be much in it, 2 of my brothers have swapped there boilers and I am waiting for their gas bill to compare it with my own, as the gas people will tell you that a boiler will never pay for itself.
If removing the boiler can reveal useful space or the current unit packs up, then go for it

It's all about how efficiently it burns the fuel, no point if a large proportion of unburnt fuel/gas is exiting the flue. When we first moved into our current house we had an old skool back-boiler system with tanks in the loft and a hot water storage tank etc. As soon as we changed to a condensing boiler the difference in fuel bills was significant. I would estimate that a decent, modern boiler will probably pay for itself within 2-3 yrs.

Alex

robj20 · 24-01-2010, 10:19 AM

It all depends on how much hot water you use, our back boiler is the cheapest way for us. A combi would be nearly at full pelt all day to keep up.

Avanti · 24-01-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EliteCarCare

It's all about how efficiently it burns the fuel, no point if a large proportion of unburnt fuel/gas is exiting the flue. When we first moved into our current house we had an old skool back-boiler system with thanks in the loft and a hot water storage tank etc. As soon as we changed to a condensing boiler the difference in fuel bills was significant. I would estimate that a decent, modern boiler will probably pay for itself within 2-3 yrs.

Alex

Yes I understand the theory , I can tell you that I spent £793 in gas in 2008/9 Dec-Nov , now one of my brothers has the same type traditional semi detached house to me with a modern efficient boiler , so will learn soon how many Kwh of gas he used and what it cost him.
A modern car will use less fuel to cover the same mileage as an older car, but will the cost difference be ever made up?

Oddly why in England can you only buy A and B rated boilers yet in Scotland you can still get C rated?

renton · 24-01-2010, 10:36 AM

cheers for the replies.

i currently have a potterton envoy and its running 7 rads, some of which we think are not big enough for the rooms.(some are only 50cm in width and single row?)

we currently have the hotwater set to come on twice a day for an hour and this gives us ample hot water although we do occasionally run out.

the cupboard the tank and boiler are in is next to the bathroom and i wanted to put anew boiler in the loft and get rid of the water tank so i can incorporate the cupboard into the bathroom when i renovate that sometime this year.

i also want to put some bigger rads in the bedrooms and i think the current boiler would struggle to heat them.

also i would like to get rid of the electric power shower as me and the wife use it everyday and i cant see it being that economical.(9.5kw i think)

24-01-2010, 09:40 AM	#1
renton Washmitt Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 275 Thanks: 109 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	which type of boiler is best?? later on in the year im going to replace my old potterton boiler with a newer more efficient worcester bosch one as i have a mate who works there and he gets a good discount!! at the moment i have a boiler and a big hot water tank taking up space in the airing cupboard. i was thinking of getting a boiler which gives me instant hot water so i can get rid of the hot water tank and the power shower i have too. would it work out better in the long run(money saving wise) to go this way or should i just stick? to a boiler that will work with the water tank?? oh and what are the names of the types of boilers im on about? cheers steve

24-01-2010, 09:56 AM	#4
EliteCarCare Approved DW Trader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ascot, Berkshire Posts: 4,525 Thanks: 550 Thanked 365 Times in 323 Posts	Most people go for a condensing boiler nowadays (if you want rid of tanks and you want constant hot water). There are plenty to choose from, personally I would pay a little extra and get a well recognised brand such as a Vaillant Ecotec, I've had a few vaillants in properties over the years and they've always proved reliable. One thing I would suggest with the recent cold spell we've had is to ask the installer to fit the condensing flow pipe in a position where it's less likely to freeze as this has been a problem with lots of these types of boilers recently. Alex __________________ ZAINO - DODO Juice - Collinite & many more!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

24-01-2010, 09:50 AM	#2
robj20 Orbital Oracle Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 748 Thanks: 13 Thanked 109 Times in 95 Posts	I always thought having a boiler and tank was better for lots of hot water through out the day. Instant boilers better for quick small amounts of hot water. We tend to use the central heating a lot and run about 2 baths a day so a big tank is best for us.

24-01-2010, 09:51 AM	#3
PB S5 Sponge Jockey Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 49 Thanks: 25 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	I dont know much about boilers but I would have a look at the Vailant (check sp) range. I have one and it came highly recommended by my plumber mates.

24-01-2010, 10:05 AM	#5
DiscoDriver PC Perfectionist Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 306 Thanks: 110 Thanked 78 Times in 77 Posts	^+1 what Alex said. Condensing boilers are in theory cheaper to run in the long term and will thus save you money. They only do this if you need to change your existing boiler, otherwise it would be a very long time before the annual savings you make using the condesing boiler would offset the initial new boiler outlay.

24-01-2010, 10:19 AM	#8
robj20 Orbital Oracle Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 748 Thanks: 13 Thanked 109 Times in 95 Posts	It all depends on how much hot water you use, our back boiler is the cheapest way for us. A combi would be nearly at full pelt all day to keep up.

24-01-2010, 10:36 AM	#10
renton Washmitt Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 275 Thanks: 109 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	cheers for the replies. i currently have a potterton envoy and its running 7 rads, some of which we think are not big enough for the rooms.(some are only 50cm in width and single row?) we currently have the hotwater set to come on twice a day for an hour and this gives us ample hot water although we do occasionally run out. the cupboard the tank and boiler are in is next to the bathroom and i wanted to put anew boiler in the loft and get rid of the water tank so i can incorporate the cupboard into the bathroom when i renovate that sometime this year. i also want to put some bigger rads in the bedrooms and i think the current boiler would struggle to heat them. also i would like to get rid of the electric power shower as me and the wife use it everyday and i cant see it being that economical.(9.5kw i think)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)