Condenser only lasts 6 years?

[Bahco]

Started my DEA course yesterday and a large part of it is identifying heating systems etc.

The tutor explained that although condensing boilers were very energy efficient, they only last for 6 years and then have to be replaced.

Not heard of that one before and would like your thoughts on this.

Think he is talking *****

 

[oilman]

Phew!!! just gets through the guarantee period then. That's a relief.

 

[nickso]

i heard 7 years was the expected lifespan.

i wouldnt pay much attention to it anyway. if its still working after 6-7 years whats the point of changing it?

unless its an ideal,baxi,biasi..............

 

[corgiman]

I was told ten



ahh bring back the potterton Dip and the vulcan volcano

 

[clf-gas]

I am under the impression they are expected to last approx ten years, though I think this would depend on amount of use and "correct" servicing
IMHO

 

[weareleeds]

I fully expect my vaillant ecomax to last at least 15 years

 

[gas4you]

Ideal told me 10 years on their training course What a joke, 10 months if you're lucky

Vaillant give theirs 15 years with proper care. How old is your tutor? In his 50's?

That would explain his misconceived outlook

 

[Bahco]

. How old is your tutor? In his 50's?

That would explain his misconceived outlook

He looks in his late 20s and I guess he is only repeating what he has been taught.

You can keep the condensers if they don't last about 15 years!

 

[Soggy_weetabix]

30 years minimum on any boiler I work on.

I dont touch steamers, only the relics me and CM love. They will do 100 years if my boy follows in my footsteps.

Dave

 

[namsag]

Ideal turbo condensors are now gettin on for 22 year old and still going strong and a lot out there, think about it boiler is not goin g to suddenly collapse and disintegrate. Parts will be avialable for all the major makes for years doubt it for the likes of viesman and atmos etc etc and all the other so called dogs b#llox boilers where they can`t even set up a proper parts supplier at present

 

[Doctor Drivel]

Started my DEA course yesterday and a large part of it is identifying heating systems etc.

The tutor explained that although condensing boilers were very energy efficient, they only last for 6 years and then have to be replaced.

Not heard of that one before and would like your thoughts on this.

Think he is talking *****

Some have 10 year guarantees on the heat exchangers. Tell him he prattling tripe.

 

[Doctor Drivel]

30 years minimum on any boiler I work on.

I dont touch steamers, only the relics me and CM love. They will do 100 years if my boy follows in my footsteps.

Dave

Do you mean you break the law and fit non-condensing boilers?

 

[bengasman]

A Drug Enforcement Agency course?
Ask your tutor how often he fits condensing boilers himself and what brand.
The place I moved from last month has a 12 year old condensing boiler, had a new pump in the last 7 years and is due for a new fan.

Apart from a noisy cold start, it works absolutely fine and highly efficient. 3 bed, 2 reception, 1 dining room, sash windows and heating on 24/7 for 6 months a year. Total gas bill 300-350 last year. Has been cleaned properly though, plenty inhibitor and carefully balanced.

Most people in this country still think of condensers as a novelty and believe it is something that will blow over; they have been around for 70 years and the standard on the continent for about 20. Go to the land of W-B and Vaillant, and I doubt you will be able to find a conventional boiler on the wall anywhere.

The majority of condensers have alloy heat exchangers, which don’t like acid. Flushing a system is about as popular as balancing; in 90% of cases the best you can hope for is a quick once over. 20 kilos of cast iron may take 20 years to rot through, 3 kilos of ally need an annual ph check.
Bit like cars I guess; a Minor may be happy with a 5 quid can of asda oil, my ally turbo would fall apart on it.

Apart from the precious few that confirm the rule, most college tutors are tutors because they have some theoretical knowledge but couldn’t identify a damaged venturi or a wonky aps if their life depended on it.

 

[Doctor Drivel]

A Drug Enforcement Agency course?
Ask your tutor how often he fits condensing boilers himself and what brand.
The place I moved from last month has a 12 year old condensing boiler, had a new pump in the last 7 years and is due for a new fan.

Apart from a noisy cold start, it works absolutely fine and highly efficient. 3 bed, 2 reception, 1 dining room, sash windows and heating on 24/7 for 6 months a year. Total gas bill 300-350 last year. Has been cleaned properly though, plenty inhibitor and carefully balanced.

Most people in this country still think of condensers as a novelty and believe it is something that will blow over; they have been around for 70 years and the standard on the continent for about 20. Go to the land of W-B and Vaillant, and I doubt you will be able to find a conventional boiler on the wall anywhere.

The majority of condensers have alloy heat exchangers, which don’t like acid. Flushing a system is about as popular as balancing; in 90% of cases the best you can hope for is a quick once over. 20 kilos of cast iron may take 20 years to rot through, 3 kilos of ally need an annual ph check.

If a Magnaclean type of filter is fitted all the gunge which blocks heat exchangers is caught in the filter. Of course flushing and adding inhibitor and re-dosing every 4 years is really essential for any boiler.

A blocked heat exchanger is the same for a condensing or non-condensing boiler. The boilers with secondary condensing heat exchangers (called recouperators by some) are more of a problem as they tend to have smaller water channels. Get a one piece heat exchanger.

 

[ChrisR]

The majority of condensers have alloy heat exchangers, which don’t like acid.

They hate alkalis, acids not too bad.
WHatever the reason, the rate some of them clog up the condensate trap they're likely to have dissolved enough to hole , in not many years.

I called Ariston for a part for a 14 year old MFS the other day. Obsolete sir, sorry. They shifted their remnants of spares to European Spares some time ago, who have very few.
So it came out, for the lack of not much other than youth.

If a Magnaclean type of filter is fitted all the gunge which blocks heat exchangers is caught in the filter.

If only! Secondary heat exchangers still block up, with magnetic material.