combi boilers

[chaotic]

I have been told that combi boilers do not really work efficently in this country, due to the temperature not remaining cold for long periods, such as it does in more northern climbs.
would appreciate any comments on this subject.
Many thanks,
J...

 

[Paul Barker]

I don't think prevailing weather has anything to do with it.

A lot of complexity in a tight little box, asked to work with dirty system water. No back up plan.

 

[ChrisR]

Drivel.

That was to the original suggestion and based on specifically what it says, not a comment on combis in general.

 

[kier]

combi's suit only a few installations.
Ask here if you have further questions.

 

[doitall]

other than a certain brand with Baxi on the case are the boilers getting more relyable or is it my imagination

 

[wilhelm]

jeeeez d.i.a , how about some commas????

 

[doitall]

jeeeez d.i.a , how about some commas????

In lazy mode and the head hurts.

Been "Water Devining all day"

 

[meldrew's_mate]

IMO combis aren't suited to the British system because we have small (1/2") mains supplies at low (1-2bar) pressures. The same applies to gas supplies, so at 7am when you want a shower not only is the gas supply at it's lowest pressure, so is the water supply. Compound this with the effect on the household water pressure when someone flushes the loo or draws hot water elsewhere and you have a rather poor "shower experience" (as they say in the glossies)

It is precisely because we have such mild weather in the UK that we have the luxury of having these 50-100 gallon storage buffers in the loft which allow us to fill a typical bath in 5 minutes, then spend the next 20 minutes refilling from our Victorian mains supplies.

Recent statistics suggest that over 60% of all new boilers sold are combis. Assuming that these are fitted and not hidden/stored/scrapped immediately then the water and gas supplies may experience even wilder peak disturbances in the future. You can keep your "mains pressure" systems thank-you.

Bah-Humbug!!

These commas are for you Wilhelm ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, go on, pig-out on 'em.

 

[Paul Barker]

You're talking about the four flat tall old houses of Scarborough with a single 7lb supply winding through the building with branches off.

I was part of a major rebuild of one which was fire damaged as it was next top the hotel (doss house) on Prince of Wales Terrace that was so badly damaged it had to be levelled.

We judt did the rebuild of one flat, other subbies did the rest. I was the only plumber that took the opportunity to provide a new 25mm supply. Actually had some grief from the main contractor for taking it through the other flats. They also gave me grief for using their scaffolding to t into the soil stack, their numpties unplugged my power every time my back was turned, they stole 5 lengths of my 28mm copper pipe (D2 pipework for the unvented cylinder).

Anyhow, flat 2 has a great water supply. They don't have a combi but they do rely on the mains, so I made sure it was good for them. The other 4 flats of this grand old building share a single 7lb lead main that folds it's way through the building. All of them have combis. The oly thing that'll save them is the fact they are mostly owned by posh southerners who don't even live there.

 

[chaotic]

Thanks for various comments?
Lets try another tack.
Is there a sales push to have combis installed,because they are easy to fit requiring little time and brain power or are they really any good ?
Please, only" grown-ups" to reply.
Thank you.

 

[ChrisR]

You're getting a variety of answers because your questions aren't grown-up.

Combis suit some applications extremely well. Horses for courses.
Read what the manufacturers of all types of boilers say. Do a search on "combi" and you'll find plenty of opinions.

 

[chaotic]

Thanks Cris,
Must start somewhere.
Will try and find the truth from boiler manufactureres,or politician!
thanks.

 

[Paul Barker]

Yes there is a bias towards selling you a combi, though in some situations they are ok most of the situations they were sold into people would have been better off with one of the older methods, but it would have taken the installer much more effort for earnings.