New boiler - what to ask the plumber?

[nic11]

I am aiming to get a new gas combi boiler (have a boiler & HWT system) and starting arranging to get a bunch of quotes. What should I be asking to ensure I get the information I need to decide between them. Don't want to just go for the cheapest (or most expensive thinking that'll be best).

Otherwise I probably won't get the feel of the best questions after the first couple have visited (got 4 and made them all aware getting multiple quotes) which might end up being unfair on them.

What would you say a quote range should I expect for
- new boiler in same place
- power or chemical clean
- 1 radiator replacing with a 600-800

Leeds area (as appreciate it varies depending on where you live)

 

[foxhole]

This site does not provide quotes .

 

[fixitflav]

I am aiming to get a new gas combi boiler (have a boiler & HWT system) and starting arranging to get a bunch of quotes. What should I be asking to ensure I get the information I need to decide between them. Don't want to just go for the cheapest (or most expensive thinking that'll be best).

Otherwise I probably won't get the feel of the best questions after the first couple have visited (got 4 and made them all aware getting multiple quotes) which might end up being unfair on them.

What would you say a quote range should I expect for
- new boiler in same place
- power or chemical clean
- 1 radiator replacing with a 600-800

Leeds area (as appreciate it varies depending on where you live)

Why are you thinking of a combi? Plenty of downsides

 

[accelerator]

Probably worth researching the brands a bit. Here you go:

Baxi
Glow-worm
Ideal Heating
Vaillant
Viessmann
Worcester Bosch

Ask what warranty is offered.

Get the capacity for your house right.

You can find approved installers by visiting the manufacturer websites.

Decide whether you want a budget boiler or something higher-end.

 

[Notch7]

I am aiming to get a new gas combi boiler (have a boiler & HWT system) and starting arranging to get a bunch of quotes. What should I be asking to ensure I get the information I need to decide between them. Don't want to just go for the cheapest (or most expensive thinking that'll be best).

Otherwise I probably won't get the feel of the best questions after the first couple have visited (got 4 and made them all aware getting multiple quotes) which might end up being unfair on them.

What would you say a quote range should I expect for
- new boiler in same place
- power or chemical clean
- 1 radiator replacing with a 600-800

Leeds area (as appreciate it varies depending on where you live)

If you want simple, reliable, easy to get parts I would suggest Ideal, Baxi or Main (Main is same as Baxi)

I strongly recommend getting weather compensation, as the boiler will adjust flow temps to radiators based on external temps.

If you have a hot water tank, why not just get a system boiler and ask the plumber to change your system to hot water priority.


The disadvantage of a combi is that you need a big enough Kw boiler to deliver enough hot water, but that boiler will be oversized for central heating.

 

[Murdochcat]

My advice is to ask friends and neighbours for recommendations of local companies and make sure you don’t go to anybody who isn’t a registered installer THEMSELVES.

There are far too many middle “men” companies taking a cut of the costs

 

[nic11]

This site does not provide quotes .

Sorry misunderstood the section heading. Not really looking for quotes on here, that's why arranging for local quotes elsewhere.

 

[nic11]

If you want simple, reliable, easy to get parts I would suggest Ideal, Baxi or Main (Main is same as Baxi)

I strongly recommend getting weather compensation, as the boiler will adjust flow temps to radiators based on external temps.

If you have a hot water tank, why not just get a system boiler and ask the plumber to change your system to hot water priority.


The disadvantage of a combi is that you need a big enough Kw boiler to deliver enough hot water, but that boiler will be oversized for central heating.

It would need replacing I believe as when the boiler is running (hot water only) the overflow from the expansion tank drips.

We don't have a bath, so hot water is used just for the kitchen sink. Seemed wasteful to have the boiler fire up to heat a big water tank for that. Why would a big KW for just the kitchen sink?

 

[nic11]

My advice is to ask friends and neighbours for recommendations of local companies and make sure you don’t go to anybody who isn’t a registered installer THEMSELVES.

There are far too many middle “men” companies taking a cut of the costs

Sounds good. I have one who's a big company so suspect they might not be the installer, but I guess smaller companies might outsource so probably a good question to ask, thanks.

I have 2 personal recommendations and 3 from checkatrade.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

We don't have a bath, so hot water is used just for the kitchen sink. Seemed wasteful to have the boiler fire up to heat a big water tank for that. Why would a big KW for just the kitchen sink?

Avoid any from the likes of Checkatrade...

As basic combi, heats water instantly, the higher the Kw, the greater the flow rate/ hotter the hot water can be from the tap.

 

[fixitflav]

It would need replacing I believe as when the boiler is running (hot water only) the overflow from the expansion tank drips.

Is it a feed/expansion tank (with ball float valve) or a pressurised vessel? If the latter, maybe it just needs recharging or replacing.

Why do you want to change the boiler? If you do change it, you still have options of keeping the HW cylinder with a system or heat-only boiler, or a combi.

Why would a big KW for just the kitchen sink?

Combis seem to start at 28kW, to give a decent hot water flow, typically for bath filling. But no disadvantage with that AFAIK, if you don't need the high flow.

 

[nic11]

Is it a feed/expansion tank (with ball float valve) or a pressurised vessel? If the latter, maybe it just needs recharging or replacing.

Why do you want to change the boiler? If you do change it, you still have options of keeping the HW cylinder with a system or heat-only boiler, or a combi.

Combis seem to start at 28kW, to give a decent hot water flow, typically for bath filling. But no disadvantage with that AFAIK, if you don't need the high flow.

feed/expansion tank (with ball float valve).

It's a 30 year old gas boiler (ideal) with a vented HWT that supplies about approx 1bar pressure hot water (installed a mixer tap when put in new kitchen and hot water was a trickle so after research got one where the min pressure was 0.5 and that's okay).

So it was a case of wanting one more efficient and doing it whilst still working.

TBH I never realized combi's were so unpopular, I thought that's what everyone had now.

 

[nic11]

Current boiler is a Ideal HE18, which I think is a condensing boiler (?). Should I be asking also for a quote to just replace the HWT, system clean, and boiler service.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

TBH I never realized combi's were so unpopular, I thought that's what everyone had now.

They remain a popular system to install, new, and many installers will try to persuade you to have one as a replacement, for a stored water system. Both do have their pros and cons....

A stored water system, cost more to install, stores lots of ready to use hot water, the boiler is cheaper, and as it doesn't run every time there is a demand for hot water, as well as possibly needing a much smaller Kw, they can be more gas, plus water efficient. The boiler is much simpler, therefore more reliable, and cheaper to repair. Many of the potential faults, can be dealt with by the owner, or a plumber. Less pressure in the CH system, so less chance of leaks.

A combi boiler is more expensive to buy, a one box solution, will cost to convert an open vented, to combi. Hot water filling a bath can be much slower than an open vented, and the boiler suffers extra wear and tear, every time there is a demand for hot water. The boiler Kw will likely be much greater than needed for an open vented, so will likely need a new, larger gas pipe run to be installed. Combi's are great for small homes, flats, and can save on gas, where use of the home is irregular. They also save on space, as no cylinder, or header tanks needed in the loft.

'Should I be asking also for a quote to just replace the HWT, system clean, and boiler service.' You will need to explain, that you have an open vented system in, and you are considering either option at the moment - installing a heat-only, or converting to a combi.

 

[fixitflav]

feed/expansion tank (with ball float valve).

Overflow dripping doesn't sound right. Water level should be well below the overflow connection.

This is the manual Ideal HE18

TBH I never realized combi's were so unpopular, I thought that's what everyone had now.

There's divided opinion on here about combis.They're often pushed by installers (more £££!) even though it's not the best solution. If there's a problem with a combi you've lost CH and HW, with a conventional boiler and HW cylinder you switch on the immersion and and at least you have HW.