Advice On Gas Boilers Please.

[1581960]

I have an Ideal Classic cast iron boiler FF 330 - 3100 for hot water and central heating, installed in 2002 and now starting to be troublesome. Should I spend money on it to try and keep it going for a few more years or should I bite the bullet and have a new one? I’m sure a new one would be more efficient but I don’t know by how much. Should I keep my hot water cylinder or have a combi type boiler?

We have plenty of small business plumbing companies in our area, we also have ‘one man band’ gas safe plumbers and there are obviously the big boys like British Gas, Any advice on which type of business I should use would also be welcome.

I’ve discounted a heat pump on the basis of its high cost to install and run, tell me if I’m wrong.

[Prudie]

We are in exactly the same position as you. Ours is a Baxi normal type and about 25 years old. We have probably replaced almost every single part on it, some twice but it has been nothing but trouble since Xmas. 3 times we've had no heating for a handful days as it broke and we had to wait for an engineer.

We've now decided to replace it like-for-like and have a rough quote of about 3 grand (2 days work). I'll let an expert advise you on switching to a combi - I don't want to because I like having an airing cupboard plus we've just forked out a lot of money on a new 3 bar shower pump which would then be obsolete. While we were having problems a lot of colleagues sang the praises of British Gas and their breakdown plan. Haven't really looked into it, I'd always thought they were meant to be over expensive.

[retrocop]

Our Ideal Classic was yonks old. Original when we moved in in the 80s. We had British Gas exchange it for a Vailant  plus a few new radiators about 30 months ago. Best thing we did. Far more efficient. I was going to ask for a combi but said definitely not after they told me they would pressure test our pipework. Our pipe work was replaced in the 80s and I don't think the cowboys solder joints would stand the test.As, much to my dissent we now have laminate floors in certain areas I am glad we have a conventional hassle free and far more efficient new boiler.

[Prudie]

^ very good point. I posted on here asking for advice recently as the new 3 bar shower pump blew a leak in some old pipework that caused major water damage and staining to our kitchen ceiling. House was built in the 90s and thoughts are the pipework was probably a bit shoddy.  The pressure increase from a combi would probably cause even more faults. My neighbours had a combi installed and they ended up having to have their kitchen floor dug up because of a leak underneath after installation.

[Peter Pedant]

too early for heat pumps

I think you need a few quotes

[The Builder]

A quick Google has just shown me that many spares for your boiler are now listed as obsolete, and it'll get worse of course. Gas boilers can go on for longer than 22 years but I would seriously consider replacing it now. It may well be that in a year or two's time, you may need a part that is no longer available.

As for efficiency, modern ones are considerably more efficient. so much so that people usually notice very quickly that their running costs are reduced. A lot of them come with a 10 year guarantee. Your current one will probably be finished before then.

Conventional vs. Combi... entirely subjective. There are arguments for either. As Prudie says, some prefer an airing cupboard, but bear in mind that immersion cylinders and roof tanks will need ongoing maintenance. 

A combi can heat water very quickly. Important in summer when you could effectively have it 'idling' until needed, whereas a conventional would have to be left on to constantly re-fill the cylinder. (Or use the electric element.)

I prefer Heat Pumps, but, you really must have a  high level  of insulation. Also, underfloor heating is preferable, although there are pumps now that deliver water at a higher temperature (70 degrees as opposed to 50 degrees previously)

Heat pumps are best for new-build, although there are greater numbers than ever being retro-fitted.  It all depends on the property.

 

[1581960]

Thank you all for the interesting and helpful replies.

[Togo]

Had a boiler renewed and all the rad valves changed with any dodgy pipework (Iron!) replaced. New pump and diverter as well. The programmer was left as it was almost new and a replacement stat. for ambient control. More importantly we, like you, debated the tank/combi choice. We decided to keep the tank. Firstly it is a jolly good airing cupboard and has an electric element facility already fitted and there was liable to be a lot of after decorating and refurb required if it was removed. It is also very expensive to refit a tank if hindsight shows that the tank was better for your situation. Some properies are not well suited to combi set ups especially if there are long hot water runs from boiler to tap/outlet/shower. We also have an electric shower that is independant of the boiler fed system. We think that we made the right choices for us as there is just we two. Our gas bill more than halved when the boiler and upgrades to the old system were done and that was just before the gas prices sky rocketed. Also factor in the new and exciting flue regs, that may need a bit of innovation to install, when the boiler is changed. Again depending on the property it can get expensive.   

[1581960]

Special thanks to The Builder, a few things in there that I hadn't considered, a very well deserved 'Best Answer'.

[retrocop]

Togo has given excellent advice also.

[retrocop]

Couldn't do without the immersion facility in the hot water tank either which we would have lost with a combi.It seemed like a good idea at the time ( more room in the airing cupboard, but it would no longer be a airing cupboard without the hot water tank) Not explaining myself very well am I ? 😁

[1581960]

19.41 "Togo has given excellent advice also"

Definitely so retrocop, your input is also helpful but I can only choose one best answer.

Thanks again to everyone who posted.