Condensing boiler the only option for oil?

[steveharman]

Hello,

We're renovating our house which currently has no central heating system and because of its rural (non-mains-gas or suitable for LPG tank) position will be having an oil boiler installed.

Thanks to contributors on DIYnot I'm now aware of Building Regulations Part L and what appears to be Hobson's choice; "from April 2007, all oil-fired boilers installed in existing dwellings must be condensing boilers".

Is it as clear cut as that? We MUST install a condensing oil boiler, it's not going to be possible to pick up a non-condensing model second hand and ask our oil man to fit?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[gas4you]

Your OFTEC qualified oil man may be able to do an exemption certificate if your property qualifies.

 

[simond]

You've already asked this question in an earlier thread.

The answer has not changed.

 

[steveharman]

I did note that & thank the respondents, but thanks anyway for your useful comment.

Quiet day?

 

[simond]

Sunday is a day of rest.

But I am doing some on site quotes tomorrow, never turn business down.

 

[oilman]

You can fit what you like and live with the consequences. If you fit a non-condensing boiler, it will not comply with the building regulations. As you do not have an oil boiler, an exemption is not available.

In your other post you mentioned "combi". As you have a HW tank, keep it and fit a standard boiler, unless you are a masochist, in which case you can fit a combi. You may as well go all the way and fit a saniflo too.

 

[namsag]

Do the regs not say must be above 85 percent efficent . some band C oil boilers meet this and are not condensing boilers

 

[simond]

For oil, being more thermally efficient, it can reach the efficiency level set for gas without condensing.

The Government 'capped' the SEDBUK rating, saying that all oil boilers had to be of a condensing type, regardless that some of the non condensing types would still meet the measured minimum efficiency.

 

[GeorgeBramwell]

You can fit what you like and live with the consequences. If you fit a non-condensing boiler, it will not comply with the building regulations. As you do not have an oil boiler, an exemption is not available.

In your other post you mentioned "combi". As you have a HW tank, keep it and fit a standard boiler, unless you are a masochist, in which case you can fit a combi. You may as well go all the way and fit a saniflo too.

The oil combis I have come across are superb. They hold a fair volume of water and are a sort of mini thermal store. An outside oil combi just behind the kitchen with a short deadleg DHW outlet is ideal. There always appears more space in oilers to work on.

 

[GeorgeBramwell]

For oil, being more thermally efficient, it can reach the efficiency level set for gas without condensing.

The Government 'capped' the SEDBUK rating, saying that all oil boilers had to be of a condensing type, regardless that some of the non condensing types would still meet the measured minimum efficiency.

SEDBUK do not state if the boiler should be condensing or not, it only stipulates efficiencies. How the maker gets them is their business.

 

[simond]

The SEDBUK rating was capped to ensure that only condensing boilers get through building regs Part L.

It is possible for the best non condensing oil boilers to scrape in as a Band B, percentage efficiency wise. But you still can't fit them, because non condensers are not allowed in Band B, whatever their efficiency.

 

[namsag]

Simond . When was the rule that it must be condensing as oppossed to above 85% brought in, it certainly was not in CHESS beginning of last year.
Not saying your wrong just asking for a link

 

[snb]

the rules regarding condensing boilers were that from april 2007 all oil boilers should be condensing. ( same as the change to gas where it was april 2005)

 

[namsag]

edit

 

[simond]

http://www.oftec.co.uk/documents/AMD03-0309-32.pdf