Potterton Prima 80F - replacement

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I think its time to replace my 20 year old boiler. It still works, although takes longer to fire up than it used to. I'd like to do it before it fails, and of course a new one ought to be more efficient anyway.

The boiler is on the wall of my 'integrated' garage with my workbench below and I have a tool-rack to the left of it, a shelf to the right, and some drawer units below. Although I could move these I'd prefer not to, so ideally I'd like the new boiler to be in the same place.

So can any of you kind folks recommend a replacement which would slot into the exisiting flue hole and not be any bigger on the inside than the boiler is now?
 
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I'm sure you'll be getting quotes from registered gas installers for the work. Part of that process will involve them looking at the proposed boiler position and advising on an appropriate appliance. Whatever the choice it will almost certainly be smaller than the prima
 
I would expect many to be a little larger! Particularly taller from what I remember of the Prima.

Tony
 
Sure you're not thinking of the Suprima Tony. The prima was not particularly small but the direct rear flue meant its overall height maybe less than a modern top turret boiler. A replacement which also uses a direct rear flue is likely to take up less space. I didn't specify a possible replacement as the point about letting an installer advise after seeing the proposed site was the reason for my reply to the OP. I'm not sure what the reason for your reply was.
 
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I plan to research available boilers and compare brands and models rather than rely on what an installer might recommend. Not only so that I am confident of making the right choice, but also so that I can possible purchase the boiler myself, or at least say to an installer "this is how much I can buy it for - if you can beat that (including your handling mark-up) then I'll let you buy it".

So I am still interested in getting specific recommendations. Surely there must be lots of people here who have either had their own Prima F boiler replaced or fitters who have replaced them.
 
Sure you're not thinking of the Suprima Tony. The prima was not particularly small but the direct rear flue meant its overall height maybe less than a modern top turret boiler.

No I am thinking of the Prima.

But I don't think of the space above for a flue as part of the boiler size. I only compare box with box size. Just like the manufacturers do!

Tony
 
I can possible purchase the boiler myself, or at least say to an installer "this is how much I can buy it for - if you can beat that (including your handling mark-up) then I'll let you buy it".

Your choice, though you may limit yourself to only the desperate end of installer. It's unlikely that anyone can buy a 'one off' any cheaper let alone with a mark-up.
I would only give prices inclusive of installation.
As I wouldn't supply anything without installing it, the price of the goods alone is irrelevant.
I don't ask in the café how much the uncooked ingredients are.
 
I plan to research available boilers and compare brands and models rather than rely on what an installer might recommend. Not only so that I am confident of making the right choice,

You clearly have years more experience of selecting boilers than your chosen installer.

You visit heating shows and manufacturer's training days to ensure you keep up to date with the latest developments and models.

In fact with all those skills I am surprised that you don't become gas registered so that you can fit the new boiler yourself.
 
I think the sarcasm is a little unwarranted. The original request from the OP was for information on what more experienced people would recommend, clearly showing that he is attempting to make the best choice. I would advise that the best place to start is to get two or three quotes and see what the installer recommends and make an informed decision from there.
 
I plan to research available boilers and compare brands and models rather than rely on what an installer might recommend.

Only someone working within the industry is likely to have the experience and knowledge to be able to assess what is likely to be the best choice in any particular situation.

If the OP followed his stated proposals based on manufacturer's data then he will choose a Keston!

But very unfortunately many installers are drawn by maximising their profit and having an easy job rather than choosing the best solution for the customer.

An accredited Worcester installer has to fit a minimum number of their boilers each year and is unlikely to ever fit anything else!

Tony
 
Thanks Tony, you have indeed explained why I like to do my own research before I approach an installer.

Can you expand on why you recommend Keston?


Surely there are other people on this forum who have had a Prima F replaced?
 
He doesn't recommend Keston - no one in their right mind would. He is saying that unless you do installations for a living and read the manufacturer's hype, you could up up with one.

Anyway. Look at the Intergas.

Very simple, pretty compact very reliable.
 
Thanks Dan,

I'm rather embarrased that I didn't notice that Tony was being sarcastic in the second post too. However I can see why my comment prompted his "troll-like" post.

What I perhaps should have written is that I like to understand what I buy rather than just accept a proposal at face value. Like many others I have had my fair share of people cold calling and trying to sell me something - including a new boiler.

In this particular instance if an installer recommends a choice of boilers and I have already done my research then at least I can make a selection based on sensible criteria, including price. However I am still quite focussed on one which will fit into the volumetric envelope of the existing boiler.

It doesn't look like I'm going to get any responses of "yes I replaced a Potterton Prima 80F with an XYZ" so I'm going to look at the drawings of boilers from various manufacturers to compare case sizes and flue position with my 80F. I may not have years of experience installing boilers or attended heating shows (they sound exciting :() or manufacturer's training days, but it is fairly obvious that this is the basic information I need to determine how well each would fit as a replacement.

One final comment: I have dealt with many tradesmen in my time and I have NEVER met one who had a negative or defensive reaction to discovering that his customer had done research on the subject. Strangely it is only on forums such as this that it happens. I wonder why?
 
Hi Dippy

Did you ever get your boiler replaced, and if so, I would be interested in what you chose?

My 80F is over 20 years old and I am guessing will need replacing in the not too distant future. Like yourself, I need to do my own research rather than just take the first recommendation that is offered - its an engineer thing!.
 
Hi Dippy

Did you ever get your boiler replaced, and if so, I would be interested in what you chose?

My 80F is over 20 years old and I am guessing will need replacing in the not too distant future. Like yourself, I need to do my own research rather than just take the first recommendation that is offered - its an engineer thing!.

Just because it's old, it doesn't mean that it needs replacing unless it's getting unreliable. Having said that, I'm sure your engineering brain will appreciate the quality design of Intergas boilers
 

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