Combi Boilers

[barb1314]

Hi all,wonder if you can help.We've just been told today that our back boiler is almost dangerous and we need to replace. Can anyone tell me the advantages of a combi boiler,are there any situations when they are no good and most important,how much should we be looking at paying for the boiler including fitting? Sorry that's 3 things. Hope you can help. Thanks.

[buildersmate]

A combination boiler combines the functional requirements of a central heating boiler and an instantaneous water heater. You may remember the old style of Ascot water heater that used to sit over the sink - it heated the water as required. A combi does that, and hence has no need for a hot water storage tank.
Advantages are cost, no need for hot water tank and hot water is always available. Disadvantages are the hot water flow rate can be slower and this is particualry true in winter when the CH is running - the very tiome more of the family want hot showers. Also they can tend to scale up quicker thought there are ways to combat this successfully.
New installed boilers have to be 'condensing' type these days - these have higher efficiency but cost more than older-style. Perhaps �2-2.5k - depends what has to be done to the flue arrangement.

[bloaterbum]

I have an old combi 1989 and while it runs well the flow rate for hot is slow and showers in the proper sense are a no no ,you are better having a power shower .However Iwill hang on cus the other chap is right they have to be condensing type now and from what Ihave seen they are relatively new and a pain in the bottom.The hot water takes forever to come through

[paulineward]

Agree with above about the flow of the water, but since we had our combi fitted a few years ago, our gas bill has drpped significantly.

[barb1314]

Thanks so much for your replies. Well I just had a man from British Gas to give a quote for a normal boiler (he said we have a great water system so no need for the combi) and that quote was �3500 which I can't believe! Never thought it'd be so expensive...gonna shop around! Thanks for the advice about water pressure and cost of bills. Barbara

[paulineward]

Just logged on...when we had British Gas to give us a quote they were SIGNIFICANTLY higher than everyone else!! PLEASE shop around..you will be surprised! ...and double check on that advice about the combi!!!! Good Luck