System Boiler replace with same or combi?

[daffs]

Hi,
My 18yr Regular System boiler is failed, options are to replace with same or remove hot and cold tanks and fit combi, probably Greenstar 4000.
I have 40 yr old microbore pipes and radiators that surprisingly have lasted 40 yrs too.
Hot water tank 18yr old.
One bathroom, 7 Rads, so not a huge demand. Mains pressure probably OK, I don't consider it low out of the cold tap.
Should i stay with a regular boiler or change? its not so much about cost as I'm concerned my tanks are probably due to start leaking as happened to neighbour recently.

 

[Wayners]

Yeah. New combi

 

[Agile]

I would never recommend fitting a combi to replace a system with a servicable hot water cylinder.

Apart from the lesser performance the cost is likely to be at least twice the cost for no benefit.

But why not get the boiler repaired?

 

[daffs]

Thanks Agile,
It's my understanding that hot water cylinders have a lifespan of about 20 years? So not that many left (maybe??)
I'm also a bit concerned after what happened to my neighbour and her cold water tank.

The boiler is WB 24Ri is 14 years (and a bit) old, I was advised after last service that it was difficult to get it to pass the acceptable values and was probably nearing end of life. I'm thinking if I get it repaired now it could be good money wasted.

I was surprised that the two quotes were not that far apart (in round figures just short of 3K and 4K for combi). I did expect double given the extra work in which case i would have simply replaced. As a lay person Ithought a modern combi would be more efficient.

 

[Agile]

Your 24Ri is about as efficient as any other current new boilers. They are also pretty reliable too. As well as quite easy to repair if they were to develop a fault.

I do not know why you think cylinders only last 20 years. An older copper cylinder can easily last for 60 years. And many of them are still in use from the 1950s.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It's my understanding that hot water cylinders have a lifespan of about 20 years? So not that many left (maybe??)
I'm also a bit concerned after what happened to my neighbour and her cold water tank.

Not true, my cylinder is 40 years old, and still fine. Swapping to a combi, when you already have a working fine open vented, is not a decision to be rushed. The pros, versus cons need to be carefully considered, before deciding a combi would be acceptable,