Well, that's our Worcester Bosch combi boiler truly fooked! After about 12 years of nothing but trouble with it, we need a new boiler. We currently have no hot water yet again, the boiler has had numerous circuit boards, gas valves and a replacement fan, so its got to go!

 

I presume the new condensing boilers are the way to go? We live in a 4 bed house, so we would like something that can cope, unlike the current boiler that we've got.

 

Any advice on what boilers are best, approximate cost of a new boiler including installation would be much appreciated!

Avoid British gas.

Had a new boiler installed this week

 

BOXT are fooking brilliant

 

£2K vs £4K from the energy companies and about £3K from local tradesmen

 

Answering questions on their website to installation was a piece of cake. Took about 7 hours over 2 days. Only took 2 visits because the wiring was fooked but they had a temporary solution set up to tide us over after day 1. My diverter valve was knackered, which they replaced for free, and the wiring into the timer, which was causing a problem was also sorted out at no extra cost

 

Highly recomended even though the spark who did the electrics was a former member of the Leeds Service Crew 

Got a Worcester boiler (38?) and unvented cylinder going in next month

 

All old copper being replaced, new radiators, underfloor heating pack in the extension, waste pipes and 4 new bathrooms installed - £11k

 

Think the Worcester boiler and cylinder was about £2k + fit which is on a day rate of £150

Got a Worcester boiler (38?) and unvented cylinder going in next month

 

All old copper being replaced, new radiators, underfloor heating pack in the extension, waste pipes and 4 new bathrooms installed - £11k

 

Think the Worcester boiler and cylinder was about £2k + fit which is on a day rate of £150

 

You do know I make unvented cylinders?

Advice (Spider, or anyone else with knowledge). I've had no CH or hor water since yesterday. Bloke coming out tomorrow to look at it, £125 an hour plus any repair, if it can be repaired. I hope it's a pump or something that can be done. But I reckon it's a new boiler and it's going to cost. I've been in my prop 25 years and it's the same boiler system. Funny thing is I was only thinking about changing the thing last week because it is ancient.  Anyway, I live in a 2 bed terrace, so no major warming or hot water demand, and it's a Bermuda back boiler.

 

Question is -

If its not a new system I need what could be the problem?

 

If it is a new system (which it probably is) what's best for my property? And roughly what am I likely going to pay for it?

 

Edited February 3, 20206 yr by Underpants

20 minutes ago, Underpants said:

Advice (Spider, or anyone else with knowledge). I've had no CH or hor water since yesterday. Bloke coming out tomorrow to look at it, £125 an hour plus any repair, if it can be repaired. I hope it's a pump or something that can be done. But I reckon it's a new boiler and it's going to cost. I've been in my prop 25 years and it's the same boiler system. Funny thing is I was only thinking about changing the thing last week because it is ancient.  Anyway, I live in a 2 bed terrace, so no major warming or hot water demand, and it's a Bermuda back boiler.

 

Question is -

If its not a new system I need what could be the problem?

 

If it is a new system (which it probably is) what's best for my property? And roughly what am I likely going to pay for it?

 

Do you have a hot water cylinder at the moment Undies? What's the model of the boiler if you can get the details...

My electric fire broke about a month ago, rang the council up and they said switch the central heating on because it's not an emergency seeing you have back up, they came on Friday and said the electric fire is fucked and will need a new one, which will be replaced in a few weeks !!!. I live in an end house and noticed loads of black over the pebble dashing from the outlet pipe of the boiler, another job they will need to sort out washing that shite off.

29 minutes ago, Underpants said:

Advice (Spider, or anyone else with knowledge). I've had no CH or hor water since yesterday. Bloke coming out tomorrow to look at it, £125 an hour plus any repair, if it can be repaired. I hope it's a pump or something that can be done. But I reckon it's a new boiler and it's going to cost. I've been in my prop 25 years and it's the same boiler system. Funny thing is I was only thinking about changing the thing last week because it is ancient.  Anyway, I live in a 2 bed terrace, so no major warming or hot water demand, and it's a Bermuda back boiler.

 

Question is -

If its not a new system I need what could be the problem?

 

If it is a new system (which it probably is) what's best for my property? And roughly what am I likely going to pay for it?

 

FWIW

You'd be better off getting rid of the back boiler. Chances are it's 40 years old and inefficient (around 75%, meaning 25% of the heat generated fucks off up the chimney)

For a 2 bed terrace a small combi would be spot on. 24kw is all you need and your energy bills will shrink right away.

Now, fitting costs. Not very cheap but it depends if you know any plumbers. I can probably get you a couple of decent ones to quote you but the bottom line is that the labour is the big thing here, and you'll need some new pipework.

How many rads you got in the house? How many hot water taps?

If it' fairly straightforward, you may get away with about £3k. But you'll be much better off long term.

7 minutes ago, Spider said:

Do you have a hot water cylinder at the moment Undies? What's the model of the boiler if you can get the details...

Can't get the boiler. It's behind the fireplace and it will need to be dismantled to get to it.

 

Hot water cylinder. Now then, I think I probably have because when I fill the bath there's no hot water for another 30 mins.

2 minutes ago, Underpants said:

Can't get the boiler. It's behind the fireplace and it will need to be dismantled to get to it.

 

Hot water cylinder. Now then, I think I probably have because when I fill the bath there's no hot water for another 30 mins.

It'll be in an airing cupboard upstairs or in the loft. Covered in lagging (Foam or a padded jacket)

7 minutes ago, Spider said:

FWIW

You'd be better off getting rid of the back boiler. Chances are it's 40 years old and inefficient (around 75%, meaning 25% of the heat generated fucks off up the chimney)

For a 2 bed terrace a small combi would be spot on. 24kw is all you need and your energy bills will shrink right away.

Now, fitting costs. Not very cheap but it depends if you know any plumbers. I can probably get you a couple of decent ones to quote you but the bottom line is that the labour is the big thing here, and you'll need some new pipework.

How many rads you got in the house? How many hot water taps?

If it' fairly straightforward, you may get away with about £3k. But you'll be much better off long term.

5 rads. 3 hot water taps.

 

Edited February 3, 20206 yr by Underpants

1 minute ago, Spider said:

It'll be in an airing cupboard upstairs or in the loft. Covered in lagging (Foam or a padded jacket)

Loft.

Just now, Underpants said:

Loft.

OK

I'll speak to a couple of plumbers for you tomorrow and see what they've charged for similar jobs.

None of them  will recommend repairing what you've got, partly because it's a cunt of a job.

Dean Combi

1 minute ago, Spider said:

OK

I'll speak to a couple of plumbers for you tomorrow and see what they've charged for similar jobs.

None of them  will recommend repairing what you've got, partly because it's a cunt of a job.

Good man. I'm preparing myself for bad news as far as the boiler doctor is concerned tomorrow. Hopefully a temp repair will see me through. But the system is coming out, and the sooner the better.

4 minutes ago, Spider said:

OK

I'll speak to a couple of plumbers for you tomorrow and see what they've charged for similar jobs.

None of them  will recommend repairing what you've got, partly because it's a cunt of a job.

My brother has just had a new boiler fitted. Some fancy job, a modern thing but has a tank as well. No hot water pressure drop when opening more than one tap.

What the hell is it? Sounds like something from NASA.

Just now, Underpants said:

Good man. I'm preparing myself for bad news as far as the boiler doctor is concerned tomorrow. Hopefully a temp repair will see me through. But the system is coming out, and the sooner the better.

No worries, hopefully a cheap temporary repair will cover you until you can replace it.

Busiest time of year for plumbers too so patience may be required!

Just now, Tonge moor green jacket said:

My brother has just had a new boiler fitted. Some fancy job, a modern thing but has a tank as well. No hot water pressure drop when opening more than one tap.

What the hell is it? Sounds like something from NASA.

Unvented system. Pressurised cylinder means you get mains pressure throughout the house. Way better than a combi which loses pressure as soon as you open a tap. Open 3-4 taps at once and flow rate is "old man struggling to piss". 

1 minute ago, Spider said:

Unvented system. Pressurised cylinder means you get mains pressure throughout the house. Way better than a combi which loses pressure as soon as you open a tap. Open 3-4 taps at once and flow rate is "old man struggling to piss". 

Expensive? Sounds it.

Should folk now he looking into electric heating given climate issues.

I changed from an old  boiler behind the fire & hot water tank set up to a combi a couple of years ago, spent the first couple of months thinking the gas meter was broken as it seemed to have stopped counting 

Best thing i ever did 

Just now, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Expensive? Sounds it.

Should folk now he looking into electric heating given climate issues.

Not much more expensive than a top of the range combi. Much more reliable too, less moving parts/stored water.

Air Source Heat Pumps are the future. Hot water/heating from fresh air. They are available in 6kW up to 16kW models depending on the size of your house.

Basically, you plug the unit in, and it uses a small amount of electricity to run the fan. Genuinely cheap to run and if you double up with solar power you can end up paying nothing for your hot water & heating.

Government also chips in for most systems.

Gas isn't even being installed into most new builds now anyway and becomes illegal for new builds in 2025. They're all going with electric heating.

Cheers.

Might well be the next big project at home. Like my stove, but it doesn't do the whole house nor the water.

Just now, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Cheers.

Might well be the next big project at home. Like my stove, but it doesn't do the whole house nor the water.

Have you got a thermal store cylinder? You can upgrade that to do both, they're very efficient.

Honestly, spend a few quid on getting a decent heating/hot water system and your bills plummet. Pays for itself in a couple of years.

Just now, Spider said:

Have you got a thermal store cylinder? You can upgrade that to do both, they're very efficient.

Honestly, spend a few quid on getting a decent heating/hot water system and your bills plummet. Pays for itself in a couple of years.

No cylinder.

Just a Worcester greenstar combi.

Would like to sack off gas for obvious reasons. I know the stove can offer up a bit of shit, but I'm fastidious about the water content of my wood and clean it and the flue regularly to keep shit down to a minimum. Only use wood that has already "fallen" or via my job so not re-releasing locked away carbon.

Will definitely look into these heat pumps.

17 minutes ago, Spider said:

No worries, hopefully a cheap temporary repair will cover you until you can replace it.

Busiest time of year for plumbers too so patience may be required!

I'm going to canx this call out tomorrow. False economy even for a temp repair + a £125 call out charge to tell me what I already know. I know it will be a bit before anything gets sorted but I'll cope.

 

I'll pm you my number.