Gas Central Heating boiler

[Scobalob]

My boiler - Potterton Profile 80e - is old - maybe 10 years - and is working ok. I know about 'fixing things if they ain't broken' but I was wondering if its time to replace it for a new one. Any thoughts?

[Hymie]

Replacing your old boiler is no guarantee of more reliable service � according to a friend, who repairs boilers.

A new boiler would almost certainly be a �condensing� boiler; my friend advises that in order to achieve improved efficiency, the heat exchanger of these boilers is made from a much thinner gauge material. The result of this is that the life expectancy of the heat exchanger is very much reduced (my friend reckons most won�t last more than 3 years). And at over �400 to replace (the heat exchanger) � you would be better off trying to maximize the life of your old boiler, before it really does need replacing.

[gucciman]

not strictly true hymie, for instance a vaillant heat exchanger is stainless steel and a worcester heat exchanger comes with a 10 yr guarantee.

i do agree though thats there's no point in changing a boiler thats working ok, put some money aside and replace when it finally breaks down and cannot be repaired cost effectively.

[Hymie]

I would be willing to bet that any 10 year guarantee on a heat exchanger will have a myriad of get out clauses � such as the boiler being regularly serviced, system cleaned as specified, heat exchanger never been operated dry � it not developing a fault on a day containing the letter �a� etc�

[Naomicorlett]

The boiler we have was old when we moved here 16 years ago. The guy who services it thinks it's about 30 years old . He says it is brilliant and to leave it alone. A new one will never be as good altho it might cost less to run we would never save enough ( on fuel ) to pay for it.

[llamekuf]

' if it aint broke '............................