Can you advise on new Combi boiler?

Hi
Our Worcester 230 RSF broke this week and was told it was more viable to get a new boiler. The gentlean who came out no longer fits new boilers just services and mends them.

I have some plumbers coming out next week to quote, I have had one so far, who only quoted over the phone, never told me what type of boiler he would give me, or asked any questions about size, how many rooms, or how many radiators or what I already had, but quoted me £3500 for a straight swap for the boiler, put the new one in the same posistion as the old one. I thought this was a bit odd.

I know when we brought this boiler orginally 16 years ago, we had to work out the total BTU we needed, but times have changed. Just searching on the net to get ideas it all about KW and flow rates lol, and if you try a survey it asks about how many bedrooms - great - but what if you have more down stairs rooms then bedrooms? etc eg 3 bedroom, 3 receptions 1 bathroom and 1 toilet. Our shower is electric.

Also there are lots of new makes we dont know, are they cheap and nasty or any good.

I did wonder if we would need trying to work out the new way a 37-42 KW.

And dont they do a ormal combi anymore?

What is the difference with a normal combi and a condensing combi?- and do they needs a soak away with limb chippings?


Any advice on choosing the right type of boiler, what makes to stay away from would be great appreciated

Thanks

I should get a qoute from someone who actually comes out to survey the job, HTF can they quote down the phone.

Just remember all boilers are ****te, just some better qaulity ****te than others, steer clear of anything from the sheds (diy outlets), stick with well known brands.

Get a Combi with the longest warranty for starters, 5 years, no point in a 1 & 2 year warranty as they "all" go wrong, make sure whoever does it fills out all the gaurantee forms and completes "all" of the Benchmark Cert in the back of the installtion intructions, and leaves all the paperwork with you.

Soakaway with limb chippings, that would be the Fred West installation then, I should go with limestone chippings unless you have some relativives to dispose of.

Hi
Thanks for your reply. I will take your advice and go for the one with the longest warranty. I shall keep ringing plumbers/ heating engineers until I actually get one out to have a look and give me a quote.
I know they are very busy.
I have been looking on line at prices of boilers but as things have changed have no idea these days what I need, my broken one is a worcester 230 rsf, so trying to find the equivent (sp). I have notice prices are up to £1500. But after the one and only quote I was thinking jeez gas fitters must be on £200+ per hour, as the quote was £3500, even if it took a day to fit lol. I thought gas fitters might be on £50-8o per hour but not £200 + lol

Thanks again

Whether it's BTU or kW, the required output won't have changed just because the units of measurement have.

All boiler installations have to use condensing types, since they are considered to be more efficient, but they come in the usual array of types - system and combi. They do need their condensate dealt with and this can be through a variety of methods, not just lime soakways.

OP, not for a minute suggesting you should not go for a new boiler, but why can the present boiler not be repaired to give you 'time' to get the funds together along with information to opt for best solution for yourself.

Can understand a boiler having a 'broken back' so has to be put down, or parts not available, but also time and again meet folk who have been told to get a new boiler when present one only has a 'bleeding nose'

PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN said:

Soakaway with limb chippings, that would be the Fred West installation then, I should go with limestone chippings unless you have some relativives to dispose of.

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classic

apply for scrappage scheme voucher.where do you live.

3500 seems steep i would expect about a grand less although all depends location etc.worcester,baxi,valiant are all ok boilers we all have our prefrences.The only difference concerning condensing and non condensing that you need worry about is a extra pipe that needs to go to a drain.5 years warrenty means nothing you can buy a cheap korean car with 10 years but you wouldnt would you?

dazza87 said:

3500 seems steep
5 years warrenty means nothing you can buy a cheap korean car with 10 years but you wouldnt would you?

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I've bought 2.. cheap, cheerful and warranted. can't go wrong.

Hi
Thank you all for your replies. The answers to your questions is....

What is/or went wrong with my boiler. We came home late and went to bed, got up in the morning house was hot, son had put heating on about 2.30am. I turned it off, and the next day I went to use the hot water and it was cold, checked boiler, ignition/flame was out, and notice the pressure was up high (highest mark). Re did the ignition, went back to turn hot water tape - no hot water, but pressure back to normal. When back, re-light ignition, switch to heating - ok, turn switch back to water only, wet and turn hot tap- it was cold. Worked out that after 2 mins ignition tripped. So no hot water, thought obviously would mean no heating either, I havent tried that. The over flow is also having lots of water coming out. When messing about, it did sound like there was an air lock.
Called gas man, heard muttering, "reluctent to do this". And then was told it would be cheaper to buy new, as cost of parts and age of boiler. So really dont know what is wrong, just it would be cheaper to buy new.

So this is where I am at. Had one quote via phone (no visit, one price £3500 for straight replacement). Have another coming today to give a quote for new boiler. Having problems getting anyone out, they must be so busy! ( dont answer phones, or answer messages left).

I have been reading the forum about the various boilers, and I am thinking about taking your advice. I am thinking about buying a Broag boiler, and see if I can get someone to fit it.
The one I was thinking about is the Avanta. But I am not sure which one. I did think about the 28C but I am unsure whether it would be big enough, so thought perhaps the 35C might be better.
According to my worcester my domestic hot water is 23.kw max (78,500 btu) and heating is also 23.kw max (78,500 btu)
But looking at the Broag Avanta, not sure what is what ( both just say nominal output), but the 28C is only Nominal Output Pn (80/60°C) = 6-21.6 kW, Nominal Output Pn (50/30°C) = 6-23.0 kW ( have no idea why it is called 28KW)
And the 35C Nominal Output Pn (80/60°C) = 6-29.4 kW, Nominal Output
Pn (50/30°C) = 6-31.3 kW( again where is the 35Kw?)

I am guessing each nominal output refers to hot water and heating. As both on my worester is 23.kw max, the 28c isn't bigh enough as on of the outputs is only 21.6

It is so confusing!! Just dont know what to get. Who knows the heating man who comes today, will give me a proper quote for a decent boiler.

Our boiler has been very good. Got it 95, and we have only had 1 problem before back in 07 where we needed a new gas value / expansion tank, it is serviced every year.

Thanks again , fingers crossed we will have hot water and heating soon?!!! Thank god we have an electric shower. We are also very lucky we have great water pressure- bath never took long to fill. We cant turn tapes of full in our house overwise water goes everywhere!