Replacing my boiler... recommendations

[rumpleforeskin]

I currently have a Ravenheat CSI 85t condensing combi boiler that has been in use for maybe 10 years.

The last few years the boiler has had some issues, one of which nobody seems to have much luck with curing. Its an intermittent fault which brings on the overtemp light. Changing the 2 green thermistors apparently cured the problem for a while as did a new fan. But always the problem will reoccur within a few weeks... Anyways I digress.

As it stands I cant trust the boiler, which is a problem as im often away and the girlfriend it stuck at home with no heat/hot water so im looking to replace the old ravenheat with something newer.

My house is a 2 bed semi and the heat output of the ravenheat has been more than adequate, also I would not like anything that is going to be louder than my current boiler as the airing cupboard where the boiler is located is right next to the bedroom.

Looking though potential new boilers its hard to get an understanding of what I should be looking for, and I would feel better about letting the fitter know what boiler I would like rather than just letting him fit anything. Not that I think his opinion may be wrong but I would prefer a recommendation from here as at least others could agree our otherwise provide feedback.

The second point is how much would a replacement cost, I know you cant give a quote through my monitor but just a ballpark figure for fitment so I can get my finances in order. The boiler would go in the same place as my current condensing combi, I live in Bedfordshire (if there is much variation of fitting costs)

 

[joe-90]

Go to Ebay and enter 'Combi Boiler Fitting' and you'll get an idea of what you need to pay.

 

[rumpleforeskin]

Brilliant, thanks.

Weirldly I never even considered of looking on ebay for services

 

[Ihavenojob]

Or you can contact some local RGI's and get some quotes for the job.Difficult to get a correct price from ebay.We all have our favourite boilers,you will get lots of makes put forward as good,but only a few to avoid,Ideal & Ferolli spring to mind as lemons.

 

[gas112]

All ebay prices are foot in the door prices and unless everything fits straight onto existing pipes and holes those are nowhere near the prices you will pay

 

[rumpleforeskin]

Thanks for the quick responses chaps.

I'm sure there would be the need to modify the pipework as the chance of the new boiler having all the connections in the exact same position are highly unlikely.

When asking for a boiler recommendation I guess I should have asked for boilers to avoid instead, as im sure there are far more good units than bad.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Weirldly I never even considered of looking on ebay for services

That would be the last place I would look. Prices on there will either be for the cheapest boiler fitted by a 'bang 'em in' merchant or priced unrealistically low to get a foot in the door. Then they will probably hit you with the extras. Can't ever see how this would be a reliable guide for pricing.

You already have a poor quality Ravenheap boiler. Make sure that you don't end up with a poor quality installer as well. Ask friends, family, neighbours or colleagues for recommendations of heating engineers. Then get three quotes. Failing that, check with boiler manufacturers for accredited installers.

As for recommended boilers, there are endless threads on that subject, and the 'search' facility will lead you to these. All this takes a bit of effort, but the alternative is years of grief, expense and a cold girlfriend.

 

[joe-90]

All ebay prices are foot in the door prices and unless everything fits straight onto existing pipes and holes those are nowhere near the prices you will pay

As long as the boiler is to be fitted to the same pipes in the same location it is included.

You just want to charge the punter £1000 per day - well that's over matey.

 

[ianmcd]

Avoid ferroli like the plague

 

[gas112]

£1000 a day Joe? i am not lowering my prices for no one

 

[mrgas]

Avoid Joe90s advice like the plague

 

[joe-90]

I haven't given any.

 

[Razor900]

I haven't given any.

At last we all agree on something

 

[joe-90]

The gas industry is changing - whether they like it or not. Years ago you took your car to the local garage to get a new exhaust or clutch, but when the market saw a gap - specialist exhaust, tyre, clutch centres were set up. They are efficient - and CHEAP.

Gas boilers are just the same. The market is there for quick fit specialist fitters. They are good at what they do because that's all that they do.

They are all GAS SAFE registered so you KNOW the installation is a good one.

The dinosaurs don't like it - but they are the ones sitting around doing nothing, the Quick-Fit fitters are out there making the money.

The days of charging a grand a day for a combi swap are gone.

Sorry guys.

 

[Agile]

I asked one of those cheap boiler installers on Ebay if their cheap price included power flusging the system! Of course the answer was no!

Unfortunately if the system is not adequately cleaned the the manufacturers will not guaranty their boiler!

Tony