2 easy q's re: central heating

[phil1963]

I have a Grundfos pump in the bathroom cupboard on the first floor which also houses the boiler and above which is the cold water tank - in these MUCH colder days, is it best to turn it up to full flow? The three rads upstairs (where the boiler is) are gradually warming up but downstairs no sign of any heat yet . There appears to be three levels on this pump.
I have a Suprima 60 boiler (the subject of much mirth on this site!!) - it is 8 years old (and bought by the previous occupiers) - and it does the usual trick of cutting-out (red light flashes) regularly. Is it time to rip the boiler out along with the tank and install a combi? Are combi's are better system? I live in a Victorian terraced house with 7 rads and a shower and do not use much water, if these facts are of any use.
In short, am I living in the dark-ages, with a 4 foot immersion heater and a cold water tank above it? Please be honest!
Cheers - and PLEASE keep the answers simple!

 

[Bahco]

Sounds like you should get a Corgi in to service your system and get it back to operating correctly or advise if it is time to renew.

May only need the pump bleeding and system balancing though.

 

[bengasman]

Yes, combi is better though many would disagree, but might not need the fork out the dosh for it yet.
Open vent systems invariably full of sludge, search forum.
Clean system with new pump would probably run fine on setting 1, if properly installed.
Repiped 4-floor house last month using 90% 15mm in stead of 22 and feels like sauna with pump on 2
Usually you get significant improvement if you never run dhw and ch at same time, matter of setting the programmer right

 

[Balenza]

phil1963 wrote

Are combi's are better system?

Definately not. Just have a glance through this forum and it will give you an idea of the many problems they have.
They save space and thats about it and are an easy source of income for the repair men.

 

[bengasman]

Most problems on the forum stem from poor installation and poor maintenance, as is evident from the most common problem and it’s results: lack of flow due to sludge.

Surprisingly few come from poor quality boilers with notorious problems like the wax capsule and the melting heatexchangers.

Most common faults with combis on this forum:
No pressure due to leaking prv; dirt in system
No dhw due to blocked plate h/e; dirt in system
Cold rads; dirt in system
Worn out pump; dirt in system
Leaking h/e; corrosion
Failing diverter; diaphragm or carp blocking spindle
Leaking aav; dirt in system

Combis have more advantages;
You know where the faults is: inside the boiler,
Which is installed by 1 plumber,
And all the parts are designed to go together,
And you have a manual describing the entire system if you want it