Should I replace my ideal Mexico super 2 boiler with a heat pump

[surreydiy]

I have inherited a very old Ideal Mexico super 2 system boiler (looks like 20 years or more) when I moved into my current 1960s built 3 bed semi detached bungalow property in London South west, couple of years ago. It’s working fine but I’m looking to replace it mainly due to some side extension work that im hoping to get done (planning for it)

Current boiler flue is old square grill type. Normal flue can stick out of roof but not this type so no option other than to replace it. Property Work is not essential but nice to have.

Other reason is that my property rating is currently E and I think newer options like heat pump or a combi or a new system boiler may be good options so I’m confused which one to go for.

I also have a power shower and low water pressure so combi may not be an option albeit I’m told that we can get salamandor pumps to boost water pressure and get connections for the power shower modified to avoid connecting to a cylinder and still go for a combi but this option needs to be further verified

My next door neighbor has a combi though and have no issues even after they added a whole new storey to their bungalow. I had a gas engineer however who advised me about low pressure and that combi will not be a good option for me so this is another confusion

I would prefer a combi boiler coz I can then get rid of the old water tank and free up space

While looking for option to replace it with another system boiler a gas engineer has advised that new system boiler can not use existing old cylinder so I need a new cylinder and will not be able to free ip space either

I was reading about £7500 government grant for heat pumps and I was thinking about this option but don’t know if we can get this grant as I’m not on social security or even with grant how much will be the total cost

Combi and system boiler options will cost me around £3500 - £4000 as it involves pipe work etc

My property roof insulation may not be that ideal which seems to be a requirement for the heat pumps

Wonder if someone could advise me to chose the right product?

Many thanks

 

[ChrisJP]

Whatever the merits and de-merits of heat pumps, don't expect that changing to one from you boiler will improve your EPC rating. Because EPCs are currently based mainly on cost of the energy supply to a house, using a heat source that relies on electricity is seen by the EPC system as a bad thing.
There is speculation that this will be changed, but there is no timescale for this.

 

[muggles]

The BUS grant is available to everyone, not just people on benefits. Insulation is a requirement for all heat sources, heat pumps and boilers - you should always look to improve insulation as it's the best way of reducing running costs.

 

[surreydiy]

Thanks, keeping EPC and energy efficiency aside, should I go for system boiler or heat pump? Bearing in mind that I wish to replace current system boiler and I have a power shower?I will need to change cylinder in both cases. What will be the more cost effective option given that the grant for the heat pumps is for all. Some online sources suggest heat pump cost to be around £8500 appx, not sure if they include cylinder or not but does it mean (hypothetically) that I will pay £1000?

 

[Mister Banks]

It’s very likely that you will need not only the heat pump but also a new hot water cylinder, all radiators replacing and pipe work modifications so expect the HP bill to be a lot more than just a gas boiler replacement.

 

[surreydiy]

I didn’t know we need to replace the radiators but I’m aware that heat pump is an expensive option but only considering due to government grant. Would you know how much in total roughly for heat pump, pipe work, cylinder and radiators?

 

[ChrisJP]

I didn’t know we need to replace the radiators but I’m aware that heat pump is an expensive option but only considering due to government grant. Would you know how much in total roughly for heat pump, pipe work, cylinder and radiators?

People converting to heat pumps from gas or oil boilers have been paying up to £20k if they need new radiators and piping. These are often necessary because the flow temperature from a heat pump is much lower than that from a gas or oil boiler, so the radiators need to be bigger to give out heat at the required rate to warm the house. In simple terms, the radiators don't get as hot with a heat pump.