What boiler? Rough price guestimates?

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Hi,

First post on the forum, hope someone can help.

In the process of buying a new house (1930s 3-bed semi) and although it has got central heating, we're planning in advance for a new boiler and to relocate both that and the existing hot water tank (currently in airing cupboard in bathroom) into the loft to free up space.

(We may not need a new boiler, but if the condition of the rest of the house is anything to go by then they've probably got a candle and a tin cup at the moment) :eek:

I've heard that any new boiler installs need to be condensing boilers?

I've never used a combi boilers and have read that they're not as good as a 'normal' boiler with hot water tank?

If my assumptions are correct, can anyone recommend a boiler and give me a rough idea of cost? I'm interested more in getting good quality and efficiency (rabid tree-hugger that I am!) rather than trying to get the cheapest.

Also, would anyone dare hazard a guess about how much a heating engineer would charge to shift the lot up into the loft + do any necessary plumbing?

Thanks :)
 
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........relocate ..............the existing hot water tank (currently in airing cupboard in bathroom) into the loft to free up space.

Not a good idea. What will you do for an airing cupboard? Water services are necessary (and access for maintenance) the tiny amount of space you will gain may not be worth it.
 
It's a lot of space - the cupboard containing the tank is shower-cubicle sized, which is what we intend to install in its place.

We've not got an airing cupboard in our current house and haven't missed it :)
 
I'm no expert - but two things occur to me. You'll need extra insulation on the HWCylinder because lofts can be outside temperature, and where are you going to install the cold storage tank to give you sufficient pressure.
 
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Just get a combi with a good DHW output (scrap all the tanks). The Keston C36 (14.5 l/min), Valliant 835 (14.3 l/min), Ferroli Maxima 35C (14.2 l/min), Baxi 133 HE (16 l/min), Vokera Syntesi 35 (14 l/min), Chaffoteaux and Maury minima 35 (14.2 l/min), Gloworm 38CXI (15.5 l/min), Potterton Gold 33 (13.5 l/min).

Thats about it, unless you want a larger floor mounted combi, then the Worcester Greenstar Highflow 440 is the beast for the job (20 l/min).

A good system boiler plus a pressurised 200 litre unvented cylinder will make all of the above look cheap.
 
You must make sure before choosing a boiler that the gas supply and the water flow rate into the property will be sufficient to run a high output combi boiler.

You chosen CORGI registered installer will be able to advise!

Tony
 
The potterton range of powermax boilers are condensing with an inbuilt store between 85 to 155 litres ,giving up to 40 litres per minute,{until store is depleted].Worth a search.A very expensive piece of kit,but everything in one unit.No need for cylinder or megaflo.All valves,pump,pressure vessel are inbuilt.An impressive programmer inbuilt also,flow and return pipes to rads,cold in ,hot out,22mm. gas supply,and pressure relief to atmosphere [outside],condense discharge,and your complete.On the electrical side,fused spur double pole isolater,installation of room stat and your done.I have installed five of these units,with very positive feedback.Hope this info is of use to you.
 
Hmm, how do you get one of those up a loft ladder?

Reasonable system boiler and unvented cyl /thermal store in loft, maybe £4.5k. Depends on lotsof things of course
 
If you put a thermal store or an unvented cylinder in your loft then your joists will need serious upgrading and doubling up as you are talking about a lot of weight in one of these units when full of water. On a 210 litres unit the water alone will weigh 210kg then the unit itself about another 50kg. Thats 260kg standing on an area of about 450mm x 450 mm. Very much doubt normal roof joists could cope.
 
Don't put a boiler in the loft, if you want a wall mounted boiler with a good output buy the Glowworm 38CXI or the Baxi 133 HE.

No tanks or messing in the loft.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I certainly hadn't considered a number of things (how to get a cylinder into the loft, weight on the joists etc).

Looks like lots of interesting discussions to be had with our fitter (anyone know a good one near the Dartford Tunnel? :))

We'd like to get a power shower - is this an absolute no-no with a combi, or is it possible provided the combi is a big enough beast (something like the Powermax mentioned above)?

Edit: ooOOooo Powermax prices, kerching! But they do appeal to my gadget-loving side :D
 
North (in Grays) :)

Blimey, reading this forum it's easy to see why plumbers get paid so much - complex subject.

On the topic of showers if I've read it right, it looks like a pumped shower isn't possible off a combi, however if I get a combi with sufficient 'oomph' (technical term :confused: ) then I should still get decent power + heat - provided my mains pressure is ok?

Any downsides to siting a boiler downstairs in the kitchen feeding a bathroom upstairs?
 
Speaking as a householder not as a plumber I have just had done what you want to, i.e my old boiler,cylinder, header tank and cold water tank removed from my airing cupboard and a vaillant 831 condensing combi fitted in the loft, and its great, fills the bath in no time, very hot water at almost mains pressure, and no probs with a pumped power shower! keeps the house just right with a wireless thermostat, and makes me realise just how c**p my old system was. :LOL:
And the airing cupboard is still warm because the flow and return pipes to the rads still go through there!
p.s. cost about £2500 inc power flush and vat
Regards

Ian
 

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