We have recently moved to a house with an ancient floor mounted Baxi Boiler (FS601 OF). It works fine, but we would like to change it for something more energy efficient. However, we have been told by a plumber that it could be a problem fitting a combi if we have a single pipework system, without changing all the pipework (and possibly rads. too). How can we tell? and what sort of boiler would suit if a combi is such a problem? Hope you can help. Thanks.
can we change to a combi?
- Thread starter vivandpete
- Start date
Sponsored Links
I switched from an ancient floorstanding conventional boiler to a (fairly powerful) combi last summer and don't regret it for a second - we gained extra storage space in the loft by removing both tanks and also gained useable space in two of the bedrooms by removing the airing cupboard. Other advantages include unlimited hot water and a much more efficient boiler (currently using around 30-40% less gas than the old boiler).
We've got an electric shower as a back-up for hot water.
I replaced all the pipework because it wasn't up to the job (weak joints that wouldn't stand up to a pressurised system) and the radiators because they were undersized.
We've got an electric shower as a back-up for hot water.
I replaced all the pipework because it wasn't up to the job (weak joints that wouldn't stand up to a pressurised system) and the radiators because they were undersized.
even if you have a one pipe system you can still put a combie on it with no problem as long as the system is powerflushed properly it should be ok the only prob is some older systems dont like being pressurised and may leak so it a good idea to check the condition of the rads and valves good luck
Sponsored Links
Mikej2005 - as a matter of interest what boiler did you go for? Been thinking of doing the same but have concerns if combi will perform efficiently to provide enough water and heat a 4 bed detached for a family of four.
[
If it aint broke......................
If it aint broke......................
I went for the Worcester Bosch 37CDi combi for my 4-bed detached (with bathroom, en-suite shower-room)
Heating shouldn't be a problem - our's certainly copes well with our 15 radiators, although you'd be advised to do your calculations properly or get hold of someone who can do that for you, depending on which route you go down with your installation/conversion.
We went for a more powerful combi for a number of reasons, but primarily because the boiler is at the opposite side of the house to the bathrooms (and our house is very wide) - this just helps the water to get to the hot tap that bit quicker and it also lessens the impact of running two hot taps at once (not a problem at the moment though, due to us only having a toddler in the house and having two electric showers, although we aim to replace one of these with a thermostatic shower at some stage - keeping the electric shower in the bathroom will allow the kid(s?!) to shower without too much impact in the future)
If we had two older children and two bathrooms with thermostatic showers, then the decision wouldn't have been quite so easy however - I'd have probably needed convincing that a powerful combi could supply two showers at once before giving up the HW cylinder !
Combis don't suit everyone's needs, but they suit ours perfectly - our gas bill has been dramatically reduced by the fact that we're no longer heating a large cylinder full of water every day that we hardly used.
One last thing worth mentioning is that the combi is only 3m from the gas meter, we have no other gas appliances in the house and we've got good water pressure so a more powerful combi wasn't a problem in our case.
Six month is rather quick to be drawing conclusions. Give it a couple of years, and you may have another view. There are no free lunches...........
Combi boilers are no more efficient than standard boilers. If you want to upgrade your boiler to one that's more efficient thats fine, but you don't have to have a combi. here's why.
1. You won't have to get rid of your existing hot water cylinder and feed tanks, which will speed installation & save money and make less mess.
2. Standard boilers are cheaper to buy than combis (because combis include gubbins inside that allow the removal of the cylinder and tanks you already have)
3. Assuming you have modern controls with motorised valves, room & cylinder stats you can keep them as well. Have a combi and most will have to be removed. De-commissioning wiring is not always easy, install a standard boiler and it would probably be a straight swap of one cable.
4. Combis are more complicated than standard boilers as they have more components subject to failure. They are not suitable for DIY work, repairs should be carried out by suitably qualified people and with parts from the manufacturer. On the other hand, standard boilers have a lot of components externally mounted. Pump, motorised valve, programmer etc., these can be easily replaced by a competent DIYer or local plumber, and with any manufacturers parts obtainable from local plumbers merchants.
5. Combis are slower to get hot water to the taps if the boiler is starting from cold when a tap is turned on. You could of course use the preheat setting that fires the boiler every so often to keep it hot just incase you need some hot water (a bit like starting up your car every half hour to keep it warm in case you want to go out)
6. With a standard boiler, you can have an immersion heater to provide hot water when the boiler fails (and they do fail, read this forum) With a combi its the kettle & saucepans.
7. You will have a lovely warm cupboard to warm towels, air clothes, make jam or wine etc.,
8. Just because everyone else is having one doesn't mean you have to or it's the best way (think endowment mortgages in the 1980's
)
So why the combi? The advantages are primarily related to the installer (not the user) in brand new homes or where no system is presently installed because a lot of the components that used to be external are contained inside. This makes it easier/cheaper to install from scratch, and for house builders, no airing cupboard means new houses can be built even smaller.
1. You won't have to get rid of your existing hot water cylinder and feed tanks, which will speed installation & save money and make less mess.
2. Standard boilers are cheaper to buy than combis (because combis include gubbins inside that allow the removal of the cylinder and tanks you already have)
3. Assuming you have modern controls with motorised valves, room & cylinder stats you can keep them as well. Have a combi and most will have to be removed. De-commissioning wiring is not always easy, install a standard boiler and it would probably be a straight swap of one cable.
4. Combis are more complicated than standard boilers as they have more components subject to failure. They are not suitable for DIY work, repairs should be carried out by suitably qualified people and with parts from the manufacturer. On the other hand, standard boilers have a lot of components externally mounted. Pump, motorised valve, programmer etc., these can be easily replaced by a competent DIYer or local plumber, and with any manufacturers parts obtainable from local plumbers merchants.
5. Combis are slower to get hot water to the taps if the boiler is starting from cold when a tap is turned on. You could of course use the preheat setting that fires the boiler every so often to keep it hot just incase you need some hot water (a bit like starting up your car every half hour to keep it warm in case you want to go out)
6. With a standard boiler, you can have an immersion heater to provide hot water when the boiler fails (and they do fail, read this forum) With a combi its the kettle & saucepans.
7. You will have a lovely warm cupboard to warm towels, air clothes, make jam or wine etc.,
8. Just because everyone else is having one doesn't mean you have to or it's the best way (think endowment mortgages in the 1980's
) So why the combi? The advantages are primarily related to the installer (not the user) in brand new homes or where no system is presently installed because a lot of the components that used to be external are contained inside. This makes it easier/cheaper to install from scratch, and for house builders, no airing cupboard means new houses can be built even smaller.
D
Doctor Drivel
What tripe!!
D
Doctor Drivel
Find out the difference between combi, standard boiler and condensing boiler.
??
Not so. As combis command the lions share of the market, they are cheaper and more deals are on them.
<snip all of this. I have had enough>
You are clearly not from the heating business. It bad enough reading stuff from plumbers!!!!
D
Doctor Drivel
You are having a laugh of course!!!!
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
Similar threads
