Conventional boiler to Combination boiler advice?

[New2DIYing]

Hi guys

We have a Conventional boiler which is over 15years old with a storage tank in the loft.

We have had an addition to the family and find the hot water has been running out almost on a daily basis (not ideal!).

As such I am thinking its time to move to a Combination boiler which would supply us with unlimited hot water.

Is the above a sensible move?

I am based in East London and also wanted to ask if anyone could recommend reputable people/companies to be able to help with the above switch?

Thanks.

 

[bernardgreen]

Combination boilers were designed for places where fitting a hot water tank was seen as a waste of space. Less pipework to install so plumbers like them. If you have a hot water tank keep it and have a heat only ( ie not combi ) boiler.

A heat only boiler with a suitable size of hot water tank is the best option.

If you run out of hot water during the day just turn the boiler on for longer or during the day for a top up..

Combination boilers are more complex and thus present more ( expensive ) problems when they go wrong.

If you are having a shower and a hot tap else where is turned on the water in the shower will drop in temperature since most combination boilers are sized to supply one tap or shower and not both at the same time.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

If the current boiler is still ok, keep it. No new boiler will recoup the installation costs in savings on gas, wait it until you have to replace it. You'd be better investigating why you're running out of hot water, is the cylinder heating completely, is it big enough etc. If unsure come back and ask.

Combi's have their uses and also their limitations, bear in mind if a combi breaks down, you have no heat or hot water... Not so handy when you've a family. At least with a cylinder an immersion can be fitted as backup.