Guidance on replacement boiler Help and information on all topics relating to your central heating, air conditioning and ventilation issues.

[alicat]

I live in a 4 bed detached house with integral garage converted to Den. Our boiler is 20 years old and whilst it works well - I'm being advised to replace it as it is inefficient. Our engineer is leading us towards a combi boiler in the airing cupboard where the hot water cylinder currently is. We need a couple of extra rads and he's saying the pipework to the existing rads is too small to be extended and it may be best to replace all existing rads and pipework at the same time as the boiler. Is this really necessary/best practice - and is a combi boiler really best (there are just two of us living here the majority of the time. The new pipework would have to be on view as the floors downstairs are concrete...........

[Steve the gas]

If it aint broke dont fix it !!!

In todays climate I only spend on items like this when I have to

[htg engineer]

I agree don't replace just because you have been told to, if the boiler works and meets your needs then leave it alone. I can't see the pipe size being a problem when converting to a pressurised system, the only thing I would be considering is the age - will it withstand the pressure ?

It may be inefficient, but lets say you spend £3000 on a new installation, how much will you save each year with an energy efficient boiler ? Say £300 per year, so it'll take 10 years to pay for itself.

I'd leave the old boiler, until it is either not repairable, or is costing too much to repair.

htg

[alicat]

Thanks for the advice - this started with me asking for a quote for a replacement electric shower!! It still leaves me with a problem about getting an extra radiator in the garage conversion/den........ we currently use an electric heater in there which my husband forgets to switch off and is expensive to run - again - the pipe size (rather than boiler capacity) has been quoted by both British gas and my independant engineer as being the reason i can't have another rad? Any suggestions?

[Steve the gas]

Hey Htg,

If you get down to Notts/Derbys give us a shout !!

[htg engineer]

Never get down that way Steve, what for anyway ?

What's the pipe size used on the system ?
What type of boiler ?
How many radiators ?
How long of a pipe run to the garage/den ?

htg

[Steve the gas]

A beer of course !!

[htg engineer]

Thought you were gonna try and get me to do some work :-)

Been in the trade for long ? Are you plumber,gas fitter, heating engineer ?

Like I say - never get down that way m8,

htg

[Steve the gas]

My name on here and other forums gives it away !!

Do mainly training of new starters these days GRRRrrrr