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Combi Boilers? - Sue w (23rd Feb 2009 - 11:12:38) Hi In a dilemma about whether to keep to a traditional heating/water system or opt for the Combi boiler? I have heard a mixed reaction - just wanted to know what others think. Sue

Re: Combi Boilers? - Dawn Hoskins (23rd Feb 2009 - 11:48:40) I think it depends on the make and model you choose sue. Previously (about 5 years ago) we changed to a condensing combination boiler. the plumber chose it and quite frankly it was cr*p! It wasn't powerful enough to ensure all showers and taps had hot water etc etc. We later found out that this model was discontinued quite quickly as a result! We decided we couldn't cope with said cr*ppy boiler - so did a lot of investigating into which one would suit our needs best. We now have a great hot water and heating system with the new combi.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Stephen (23rd Feb 2009 - 12:38:27) Great idea. Even though ours is a bit old, its better having a slow flow of hot water than none at all because someone's used all the water in the hot tank. It must be more efficient as well as you only heat the water you need as and when you need it. Don't need space for the hot tank either. Make sure you get a really powerful one though.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Darren (23rd Feb 2009 - 16:16:45) Just to say we had a combi boiler and it too wasn't man enough to cope with a shower and kitchen/washing machine at the same time. When we had some building work done we were recommended to change to a Megaflo (trade name, others available) system which is great. Loads of high pressure hot water for two showers and kitchen taps all at the same time. Ask your plumber and see what they say.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Sue W (23rd Feb 2009 - 17:14:30) Dawn, Darren & Stephen. thanks for comments - you are all saying the same - that it must be man enough for the job. Our plumber also advised us that installing a combi (even though he recommends it) - could lead to problems with the old radiators - having been under tank pressure - will now be under mains pressure and we could end up with having to replace all the old ones! The cost could be much more than the good old system - which brings me back to why I am unsure of the best way to go. What a decision to make!!

Re: Combi Boilers? - DaveL (23rd Feb 2009 - 22:14:09) Hi Why not go for a system boiler, Potterton Promax or similar, no F&e tank but retaining a cylinder (upgrade to a helical rapid recovery) if your boiler fails you have back up on immersion but will run on 2 bar from storage tank, either lift tank to 1000mm from outlet to spray or install pump for shower. Hate combi systems unless you install a good scale inhibitor. Hope this is of some use. Dave

Re: Combi Boilers? - Phil McNamara (24th Feb 2009 - 20:28:42) The emerging technology is for combi-boilers with an additional solar-generator (not on a roof for hot-water, but to prime / aid the actual boiler). Fairly popular in Israel and Italy, my cousin is an importer. Also very expensive - think £15,000 upwards! And questionable value outside of Middle East / Southern Europe etc. Therefore, condenser boiler the only option, really.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Sue w (25th Feb 2009 - 11:51:28) Phil I looked at the Which? report on boilers and it seems that whatever type of system a condensing boiler is the option. They also made a comment that there are other boilers that have a high price tag - and if you were extra environmentally friendly would only make sense to pay that much more for one. Why anyone would pay extortionate money to save the planet just a bit more, than the average concerned person is shocking!

Re: Combi Boilers? - Phil McNamara (27th Feb 2009 - 21:35:41) Dear Sue I agree! £15K for a eco-boiler is madness, certainly my cousin thinks so and he sells them! I guess over time the technology will become cheaper and more available, but it is already out. I reckon most homes in Liphook would not see any advantage of such leading-edge technology over and above a reasonably priced condensing boiler! Mind you, my cousin was thinking of buying an even bigger boat, so someone is buying the damn stuff! Kind regards, PMN

Re: Combi Boilers? - Mike Grimes (28th Feb 2009 - 21:54:44) Phil, I have been reading about a new boiler from Baxi called the Ecogen. It appears to use the heat to generate electricity (which can be stored or exported to the grid)as well as heat the water and, on the face of it, looks very appealing. But, I have no idea how much it will cost compared to a regular condensing boiler. So I suspect that it will be priced at such a level that, like pratically all other micro energy systems, it could never acually repay the additional capital cost. I'd be interested if you know differently.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Phil McNamara (3rd Mar 2009 - 20:25:04) Mike Sorry, you've plumbed (no pun intended!) the depth of my boiler knowledge now ... ! I'm afraid I only know about the condenser and solar-aided versions, mainly from my cousin. If it helps, the advice we got last year was to NOT have a massive (i.e. c. £10K+ outlay) on a state-of-the-art solar-aided boiler, as it was questionable whether we would ever recoup the additional cost. In the end we took the advice of experts and went for a mid-range efficient 'standard' boiler, upgraded Honeywell dual-channel time-clock, and Honeywell multi-function digital room thermostat. This means we can programme the thermostat to target temperature's across each individual day of the week, and the controller then figures out the most efficient way of hitting it. That is, if we want to wake up on a Sunday to 18c by 0730, then the system has to calculate air-temperature (including outside - don't ask!) and determine when to call for heat so as to achieve 18c by that time. What it means is based on our 'lifestyle' the house is always efficiently heated to the desired temperature, and the boiler is permitted to maintain a low-level background heat if that's the most efficient way of doing it. It also splits the house into zones, and doesn't heat the areas we don't use on specific days, or at specific times. Finally, TRV's on every radiator, and we stuck in solar-water heating. I can, but have not yet, added a SIM card to enable mobile (remote) access to alter the thermostat. I suspect my wife would leave me if I did that! So the killer question - major outlay, state-of-the-art electronics and extensive redecoration at the end. What's the operational saving?! Er, about £650 a year so far!! Oops! Slightly less than half our annual heating / hot water bill.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Phil McNamara (3rd Mar 2009 - 20:34:36) Er, probably should explain something here ... ! My cousin runs an architectural design company that utilises state-of-the-art components for major commerical developments. Think the Palm (Dubai) and you're getting it .... ! Hence, he has extensive knowledge of heating systems, power generation systems, water reclaimation etc. However, we have picked his brains to 'upgrade' the house, hence the current level of knowledge of these systems. I suspect the stuff he is into is more the high-end commercial bleeding-edge technology - roll-out PV Arrays, roof vortex water reclaiming, etc. Just in case I gave the impression he was a gas-fitter (not that there's anything wrong with that!).

Re: Combi Boilers? - Sue W (4th Mar 2009 - 20:28:27) Have I missed something here? Dubai - do they really need heated houses like the UK? Update on our requirements - we are not going to install a combi boiler. Chatted with our fitter, for our needs and the possible needs of future owners a combi would not be satisfactory or cost effective for one that would provide enough heat and a back up water system via immersion. It was interesting when talking to his wife - they do not have one either. Spoke volumes to me! Sad that I will not be able to convert my existing tank area to a well needed coat and shoe cupboard, but will have to add it to the re-vamped utility area!! Thanks for all your help. Sue

Re: Combi Boilers? - Phil McNamara (8th Mar 2009 - 18:21:01) Dubai = heat exchangers, to cool buildings.

Re: Combi Boilers? - Sue w (9th Mar 2009 - 00:26:32) Sorry I thought the topic was about Boilers = to keep people warm. I appreciate that they would still need hot water, They have so much money over there that if they wanted to spend so much then let them.

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