baxi radiant replacement v combi

[jo105]

Hi

ive just inherited an old (maybe 20 years plus) baxi back boiler system. It is located in the kitchen and the only heat in the kitchen comes from a very ugly radiant fireplace. Im thinking of either replacing the fire front or just going 21st century and putting in a new combi system. there are 5 radiators in my new flat, does anyone have any suggestions? What would a new combi system cost? Are old baxi back boiler reliable enough to keep and just update the fire front?

many thanks for input received

Jo

[stanleyman]

The new firefront will cost the best part of a new condensing boiler which will be far more efficient than the baxi. Go for a new combi and new system if it needs it. Get yourself three quotes from CORGI installers.

[raysparx]

Combi boilers are great when they are working properly,but it might be worth thinking about an ordinary boiler and keeping the hot water cylinder ,then if something goes wrong with the boiler you can still use the immersion heater to get hot water

[les saisies]

Combi boilers are c*** unless the property is designed in such a way that the pipe runs for hot water are short.

If you have room for a hot tank, which i assume you have at the moment, stick to a traditional boiler and system.

[pilotlight]

There's a great amount of consideration to be given to all the above postings. If you are not too keen on a combi, because of having no " back up " in the event of a breakdown, ask your heating engineer to quote you a price for a " condensing system boiler, complete with a high recovery cylinder ( complete with immersion heater ) ".

Whichever type of boiler you eventually decide on, your engineer will need to flush out the system, and advise you re - the condition of the existing radiators and valves.

As stanleyman advises ---- don't go for a replacement fire front.

[jo105]

hi

thats great thanks for all the above advice its a victorian tenement flat so perhaps it is worth while just going for a new boiler system rather than combi. will get 3 people out to quote. but another question in the mean time while i cover all other costs of moving decorating etc is it possible (safe?) to re varnish or re paint with a heat resistant paint the wooden top and sides of the baxi to make it look a bit more presentable?

[pilotlight]

jo,

No boiler manufacturer would ever advise that their fronts/casings etc. be altered in any way ( including re-coating ).

The sooner you upgrade your system, the sooner you will start paying less for your heat/hot water requirements. The boiler you have at present is very inefficient compared to todays appliances.