Hot Water Tank Or Not?

[nigelf1234]

Hi
Any thoughts / ideas would be most welcome. Currently I have a boiler which is capable of being a Combi ("Instant Hot Water"), but is presently running my Central Heating & has a hot water cylinder to heat water for baths etc. This also gives us a cylinder cupboard where we can dry clothes all year round.
The tank is leaking & needs to be replaced. This leads to several questions:
Its a copper cylinder - is it worth money as scrap? And is it best to fit a new cylinder, or go to instant hot water & fit a radiator to dry clothes. Anyone any experience of Combi boilers & whether they are good for lots of hot water for a bath for instance?

[boxtops]

I'd go for a combi any time. We've one for eight years and it's brilliant, as much hot water as you want, on demand. It meant we could get rid of the hot water cylinder AND a large cold water header tank, so released more space too. Go for it.

[frugalfred]

Yes, your copper cylinder has a scrap value.
It is never a good idea economically-speaking to store hot water - any you don't use simply loses heat no matter how good the insulation.
I had a Worcester combi fitted 2 years ago; it provides plenty of hot water when needed for a bath, though we tend to shower as it is more economical. Luckily, I had it fitted in the airing cupboard where the old copper cylinder was located. A small towel-rail type rad in your airing cupboard would be an idea.
On scrap merchants - I had to produce identity (passport) when I took mine in.

[jomifl]

A copper tank is worth a few quid as scrap. If the boiler in combi mode suits your needs and you don't need hot water when there is a power cut then scrap the tank and fit small rad(paid for by scrapping the tank) in your airing cupboard.

[gness]

I have always had a Combi boiler with a radiator in the bathroom which can be switched to electricity in the summer if I want to dry towels...and I do love a cosy bathroom....and as much instant hot water as I want.
The first thing I did when I moved into this house was to replace the boiler and hot water cylinder with a Combi.
If you are removing a copper cylinder the scrap man will be driving by the day you do it!

[SirOracle]

Five years ago I got rid of my old gas boiler and installed a Vaillant combi system.I have never regretted this as I always have unlimited hot water on demand,and my gas bills are less than they were. Also my hot water and my cold water storage tanks,nearly 50 years old, were approaching the end of their life,and could have failed at any time in the near future.

If I were you I'd go for it.