Ideal Classic HE15 (with Boilermate OV Class A) finally packed up what to do...

[Ponja]

Our 19 year old boiler has finally gone. PCB + fan busted according to gas engineer diagnosis and some corrosion on casing. Could potentially replace but seems to be £600-700 for both with labour, while a new boiler would be around £2200, seems a better option?

Beyond this I've had all kinds of suggestions to replace with combi, combi+storage or boiler + unvented.

I like our boilermate which is currently working great but I guess it might go bust at some point as well?
It keeps the radiators nice and warm and supports our 2-3 showers easily.

Any recommendations on how to proceed here? Can't keep paying £20 a day on heating in this weather, luckily though the boilermate has an emergency immersion heater.

If we go new boiler, does it matter what we get? I've had all kinds of recommendations but don't know what's best.

 

[CountryFan]

I believe Ideal classic is a decent boiler. Maybe you could see if they (Ideal) could do a fixed price repair (unsure if age they go to).

 

[Ponja]

It's a good idea and I was investigating this today £360 certainly cheaper than PCB and fan but I read some forum posts about them not offering the repairs on boilers older than 10 years so 19 likely pushing it. Will call them tomorrow morning though, good shout!

 

[cdbe]

You can get refurbished PCBs on eBay for around £50 (it's a 25E).
You can also buy refurbished fans for £50 but they're rubbish (one of the companies kept fitting the motor in in the wrong orientation - it's different to other ideal fans) and the other must have used crap bearings as it failed after 13 months.

I would buy this:

In fact, I would have, had I not found out how easy it is to replace the bearings (which is what fails) myself.

 

[Ponja]

I've seen this but I guess could be challenging to find someone willing to install my own bought parts? Doesn't seem like this is super DIY friendly from what I've read need to be gas safe etc. or maybe I've missed something?

 

[CountryFan]

I've seen this but I guess could be challenging to find someone willing to install my own bought parts? Doesn't seem like this is super DIY friendly from what I've read need to be gas safe etc. or maybe I've missed something?

Being part of the combustion process you can’t DIY, so yes needs a gas safe registered engineer.

 

[Ponja]

Ideal are happy to come out for £359 (£99 if they can't fix) but won't touch the boilermate tank. Does this sound sensible?

 

[CountryFan]

Ideal are happy to come out for £359 (£99 if they can't fix) but won't touch the boilermate tank. Does this sound sensible?

It does if they can fix it. Did you tell them the age?

 

[Ponja]

It does if they can fix it. Did you tell them the age?

Yes they figured out age from serial, they're slightly worried about getting parts (I see plenty online) but otherwise happy to come.

 

[Ponja]

Ok they told me over the phone PCB and fan are in their old stock and they don't have a problem with the boilermate (of course they won't repair it or anything) so all sounds good, booking in ASAP, will let you know how it goes thanks for the suggestions to get it repaired.

 

[CountryFan]

Ok they told me over the phone PCB and fan are in their old stock and they don't have a problem with the boilermate (of course they won't repair it or anything) so all sounds good, booking in ASAP, will let you know how it goes thanks for the suggestions to get it repaired.

No worrries. Hopefully it’ll get fixed and you’ve saved a small fortune.