TO Combi or Not to Combi as a replacement?

[scifipaul]

HI Everyoen

If anyone can help it would be great.

We have a 4 bedroomed house:
en suite (Shower straight off of the cylinder, toilet and handbasin)
Main batrhoom (Bath, hand basin and toilet)
Downstairs Cloakroom (Toilet and Hand Basin)
Kitchen (Dishwasher, Washin machine only cold feed and sink)

We currently have an Ideal CLassic FF250 boiler which is working fine but for the following reasons are may be looking to change it.

1, The en suite shower is neaxt to the airing cupboard where the cylinder is, if we took this out and the cylinder it would mean that we could have a bigger shower.

2, Apparently the current boiler is 'E' rated or not very efficient.

3, we are having some work done in the kitchen which means lifting the boiler up higher.

So basically can we look at getting a combi boiler or should we stay with a normal one?

What would work best?

Here is what a Combi would potentially give us:
1, A larger shower in the En Suite
2, Constant hot water.
3, Is a combi more efficient?

(Loosing the cylinder and airing cupboard)

So any idas feedback, would be very helpful based in Essex near braintree,

Thanks

 

[D_Hailsham]

Combis are successful only if you have an adequate flow rate and dynamic pressure. The number of outlets running at the same time is also an important factor.

If you have a garden tap direct off the mains, you can check the flow rate using a litre marked bucket and a watch. Time how long it takes to fill the bucket to the (usually) 10 litre mark, then convert this to litres per minute.

Now repeat this with the kitchen cold tap on full. If there is a significant difference, you have poor dynamic pressure, so someone flushing the toilet will affect someone having a shower.

If you want to use the shower at the same time as the bath, you need a flow rate of 20 litres/minute.

Don't forget that all outlets, hot and cold, are supplied from the one incoming cold water main. So washing the car with a hose (if allowed ) at the same time as the washing machine is working may not be possible.

 

[dcawkwell]

If you are moving your old boiler that will be expensive.
Best to just rip it out and go with a combi provided you have the flow.
A modern boiler will be more economical the saving will be reasonable but
not outstanding.

 

[scifipaul]

We are having to move the boiler a little higher up the wall because the gas pipe at the bottom is in the way.

Just wanted to explore the possibility of constant hot water and gaining the space for the larger shower.

It says that the current boiler is about 74% effivient where the newer ones are 90% plus, dont really know it that would make all that much of a difference.

 

[Tibbot]

Best to just rip it out and go with a combi

Shame it's not allowed as, I'd be more inclined to 'rip out' a new combi to put in an old Ideal Classic.

 

[mysteryman]

There are millions of people who like combis, and quite a few who are able to give reasoned advice.

 

[Tibbot]

There are millions of people who like combis, and quite a few who are able to give reasoned advice.

Taking out any functioning modern FF boiler for fun is not reasoned advice. But it is the OP's money.