Replacing Gloworm Hideaway boiler - any recommendations

[polgara]

So 2010 is going to be a busy time for further renovation of our Victorian terrace (4 storeys, including the basement kitchen/storage area) and starting to get quotes re replacing the boiler. The current one is only 10 years old but has been leaking seriously on and off for a year or so and is now living on borrowed time (we have a stock of radseal but thats only a short term fix IMHO). The floor beneath it is increasingly rotten due to the leaks - its directly over our outside store/outhouse and you can see the beams when looking up towards the boiler! Boiler is situated on the ground floor.

Anyway, we will be moving the hot/cold water tanks into the attic rooms where the header tank is currently. We are also going to be doing some serious work on the attic rooms - completely replacing the roof, insulating, adding an en-suite, radiator etc which is why I need some idea of what boiler would be ideal.

At the moment we run 8 radiators and 1 bathroom from the boiler, but the new one will need to run 12 radiators, two full bathrooms, and a cloakroom (sink only).

Are there any boilers we should avoid or ones that are recommended? Obviously this is going to be an expensive year

 

[polgara]

Just checked our current boiler is a gloworm hideaway. Getting lots of conflicting 'non expert' advice at work re combi vs condensing....its a minefield.

BG are coming out later this week and arranging for a number of local plumbers to come after that.

 

[polgara]

Any advice? Looked at the FAQs...but still none the wiser working out what is best for our needs....

only person in the office as the Bradford area is a bit of a snow/slushfest so can do quite a bit of internet trawling today looking at different makes/models etc

 

[compheat]

Depending on your incoming cold water main re size and pressure you can have (1) a large combi
(2) a system boiler (heat only) and unvented (pressurised cylinder)
(3) a open vented boiler and tanks and cylinder)

Get quotes from people you can trust and remember That not all plumbers do all types of systems and that being Gas Safe registered is only for installing the boiler and doesn't meen to say they can design the complete system,
Just make a list and ask questions

 

[polgara]

Get quotes from people you can trust

Lol - thanks - thats the part we have problems with as both pretty new to the area!

So - will the BG guy/gal? advise re the incoming cold water main size and pressure? Then we can move on with that info?

Sorry for being dense - my uncle always dealt with my parents heating as he was a fitter for BG but now has health problems that mean he's not always able to help out/advise etc...plus everything has moved on so much

 

[compheat]

Use BG but dont let then bully you into signing anything, most of the time there way over priced.
Basically a combi used to come in 2 sizes 24kw and 28kw Now they do much larger ones (same physical size just bigger output) the 24kw more than big enough for the heating, but you need extra output for the hot water. So depending how many bathrooms ect you will be using at one time will decide the size of combi. Just get intouch with a local plumbing merchants and they will pass on some names for you.

A combi is a lot easier to install than a conventinal system, ie Tanks cylinder, motorised valves etc. so thats where the difference in price comes from, it cost you more to buy the materials and therefor more to install.

 

[D_Hailsham]

You may be eligible for the £400 boiler scrappage grant. Check Here

 

[polgara]

Thanks - just checked and think the 70b that we have is covered - I know a lot of people think its a scam but the boiler needs changing anyway so any refund is welcomed!