Gas Boiler in Loft

[plumbamateur]

I'm doing a bit of planning ahead here.

I have a Potterton (conventional) gas boiler in the loft, which by the look of it is quite old. I'm not that comfortable with it in the loft, as I can't keep an eye on it. This probably seems completely irrational; as I'm sure most people don't actively keep an eye on their boilers; but somehow I'd be happier if it was easily accessible.

I would like some advice on the best course of action when the Potterton gives up the ghost. Should I get a Combi fitted downstairs somewhere, or a new conventional boiler?

A few things to bear in mind:

- Its mounted on the wall, and the flue runs up an old chimney.

- I tried to take out breakdown cpver with BG, but they wouldn't cover it, stating (quite correctly, I presume) that it's "not up to current standards" given I don't have a fixed loft ladder in place, nor handrails etc. NB -- they did, however, service it and check it over (smoke test etc) and all seemed fine.

- The idea of getting a Combi appeals (to enable me to get rid of the cold tank in the loft), however the mains pressure is appauling, so don't know if this would work.

- I also have a thermostatic shower which relies on an independent pump, which I don't believe I can use with a combi.

- I have a (small) HW cylinder (which I wish was a bit bigger to provide longer showers -- it does about 8 mins max), 4 rads upstairs and 3 rads downstairs. At some stage I may have the requirement to add one additional rad downstairs.

I'd be grateful for some advice/suggestions as to what course of action would be best. I'm asking this now in anticipation of having to have the work done in the short to medium term, and thought it better to have a rough plan in my head in advance.

 

[htgeng]

I'm doing a bit of planning ahead here.

I have a Potterton (conventional) gas boiler in the loft, which by the look of it is quite old.

Here is one I prepared earlier.
http://tinyurl.com/gjg9k
Seriously though there is nothing wrong with replacing the boiler with one in the loft. All you need to do is put some boards down, fit a loft ladder and make sure there is a light up there.

Is the existing boiler mounted on a wall? Can the flue go through a wall in the loft such as the example above?

 

[gazthepottertonengineer]

I'm doing a bit of planning ahead here.

I have a Potterton (conventional) gas boiler in the loft, which by the look of it is quite old.

Here is one I prepared earlier.
http://tinyurl.com/gjg9k
Seriously though there is nothing wrong with replacing the boiler with one in the loft. All you need to do is put some boards down, fit a loft ladder and make sure there is a light up there.

Is the existing boiler mounted on a wall? Can the flue go through a wall in the loft such as the example above?

Also to comply with current regulations it should have a cage around it and a means of isolation outside of the loft

 

[plumbamateur]

Thanks guys

I wish my loft looked like that It's a victorian terrace, and is in a bit of a mess! The other thing to bear in mind is that the loft is completely uninsulated, and gets freezing cold in the winter - that was the other reason I had thought of trying to get rid of all the plumbing in the loft. I've lagged the pipes, but there's still a few bits of exposed pipework where the copper is up against joists etc.. In your picture not all the pipes are lagged - is that OK?

I've also been told I need a "frost-stat" to turn on the boiler when it gets freezing... is that a DIY job or should I call an engineer to fit it? I'm up for a challenge if it's not seriously complicated

The boiler is actually mounted on a chimney breast, with the flue using that as a route up to the open air. I'm told it's a balanced flue, not a fanned one - what are the implications of that? I'll load a couple of piccies if I get a chance tomorrow.

So - if it is OK to leave it in the loft, the other consideration is the HW cylinder. It's really small, and I'd like to get a bigger one. At present, it's on the 1st floot (i.e. about 10'below the cold cistern) - but the airing cupboard that it's in is really small. Would it be acceptable to have a new HW cylinder in the loft as well, ie. on the same level as the cold cystern?

Sorry... loads of questions ...