Combination Boilers

[CSG2306]

Hi all,

I cannot get over the number of questions regarding problems with combination boilers.

A colleague of mine had one fitted when they first appeared on the market many years ago, and had nothing but trouble with it. The biggest problem of having very little or virtually no hot water when required.

This is the same today, nearly all the questions are to do with a lack of hot water.

Are there any satisfied customers on ASB with one of these boilers.

Your views would be appreciated.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Regards

[buildersmate]

They are fine provided they are specified with adequate capacity. Because they heat the DHW as required, they have to have enough capacity to be able to do this AND run the CH on the coldest days of the year. More questions on AB on these boilers seem to crop up now (when folks are running their CH) and not at other times of the year (when they still running the DHW). The 'problem' is perhaps that too many plumbers are not familar enough with estimating the total energy requirements of the house - or that folks put bigger and better power showers (non-electric types) and just expect the boiler to cope.

[Siamsal]

buildersmate, that's exactly what my husband thought when our last boiler wore out!

So we went for a new, conventional boiler (with hot water tank). It's been really cheap to run.

[lacuna bless]

We have a Worcester Bosch 28cdi for a 3bed semi and it has coped very well.We have an electric shower and 7 rads. Had it put in loft and all tanks removed. In 3 yrs I have had the fan replaced at a cost of �185 inc labour. Water takes about 15 seconds longer to come through than the old tank did. Cost is hard to calculate because of the steep rises that Powergen have made but its a lot cheaper than my coal fired back boiler was!!

[combi]

I have had a Vaillant sine 18 combi for 22 years with no component failure in the boiler. In all that time I have had a perished washer on filling loop and needed expansion vessel topping. I know it only gives 8lts 35 degrees. I am at present looking to change it for a more modern efficient condensing boiler maybe Viessman, Keston or Vaillant. My friend has had an Halstead now for some years with no problems.