Combi or Condensing Boiler

[pinkjudy45]

Could someone please tell me which is the best boiler to get a Combi or Condensing, we have to renew our gas boiler soon and do not know which is the best one to get - economy and efficiency is to considered

[richtee]

Hi PJ,
Take a bit of time making this choice- getting it wrong is costly!!
Modern Boilers are all mostly condensing- they are more efficient, and government regs govern their use now I think. Big thing is, do you live in a hard water area? (south coast of England perhaps? if so, do not fit a combi boiler at all costs- they will clog up with chalk in a short time, then you probably will need a new inside unit( not being too tecky). Some may argue, and my plumbing experience is a bit out of date now(retired), but I would not fit a Combi anyway-have a look at this website for more info. One point I should mention, if you have a roof tank and a hot water cylinder, conventional boilers are for you. If you live in a flat, with no loft to fit a roof tank in, then a Combi might be your only choice. There are some plumbers on here with current experience who will be along to advise you I am sure, but this is a bit of info to be going on with.
Good Luck
Richtee

[richtee]

Sorry- forgot to post the link!!
http://www.worcester-...r/boilers/gas-boilers
richtee

[DaisyNonna]

Mine is a Vaillant and packs up every 2-3 months. Something to do with pressure. Not my choice. Landlady not interested in getting it changed. I am the one left without hot water or heating usually at the weekend.

[pinkjudy45]

Thankyou Richtee for the web link, it was very helpful, but in answer to your question about living in the south and hard water, could you tell me if we have a water softener would it make a difference, sorry to be a pain in the bum.

[pinkjudy45]

Hi DaisyNonna, sorry to hear you have problems with your boiler, we rent out to tenants, have you thought about tell your agent about this problem and possibly withhold some rent, I think your landlady would get things sorted out quickly if she was not get her money on time,( but I don't know if this against the law)

[coccinelle]

I have a combi boiler and I live in a very hard water area. My water does run through salt and a filter (a mini kind of water softener) and I don't have problems. My boiler maintenance man advised me against a condensing boiler as he states they don't last as long. My last combi lasted 21 years.

[Sipowicz]

Not wishing to throw a spanner in the works, (no pun intended!) it is possible to get a Condensing-combi boiler!

[The Builder]

Newly fitted boilers have to be condensing by law. You have the choice of conventional (with roof tank and immersion cylinder), or combi.

Conventional boilers heat up a whole cylinder of water, while combis only heat what you need to draw off.
Roughly, one or two person households........... combi saves you money. For families, conventional might be preferable.

[pinkjudy45]

Thank you everyone for all the information it is very helpful.