Sorry, the search function only seems to throw up all the replies to the latest thread with "boiler" in the title.
Our house is a detached timber frame construction (Scotland), built in 2000. The attic is insulated with 270mm of insulation, and we are triple glazed. We gave a built-on garage that has our current boiler in it. We have a bathroom with an 10.8kw electric shower, and a separate en-suite with a mains fed shower from the boiler. Water pressure is good. We are on mains gas. We have 14 radiators.
The current boiler is a 26 year old Powermax 185 - a system boiler with a thermal store. This supplies mains pressure hot water. Currently this is VERY hot as the blend valve in the boiler has failed, and we have been quoted £250 for the part, plus fitting, plus VAT to remedy.
At this point I am thinking should I put the bulk of the £500 for nursing the old boiler along towards a new one instead. If I do, do I go for a replacement System set up, or switch to a Combi instead?
Would likely go with a Worcester-Bosch, Viessmann or Vaillant, but happy to have a recommendation
Why not a heat pump?
Unfortunately the radiators are all on microbore pipes. The internal disruption to replace this would mean a huge amount of work.
How annoying.
Don't have any particular insight other than owning WB that hasn't let me down. I think I read somewhere that Viessman are probably superior but maybe spare parts not as easy to obtain.
I would rather put my effort into finding a good installer and go with their recommendation. Easier said than done - the people that installed ours were a word of mouth recommendation but we're absolutely terrible.
Unfortunately the radiators are all on microbore pipes. The internal disruption to replace this would mean a huge amount of work.
Heat Geek suggest that this may not be a problem but the survey costs £250 to find out what you need.
That’s what we did (money into new) over the years our combi went from very reliable to needing a fix then to needing an expensive fix, at that point we swapped it. I’d check out warranties, they seem to be different lengths depending on the person you buy from. Also there are online sites that you can use to cost up. WB combi here.
but we're absolutely terrible.
Whilst we undoubtedly are absolutely terrible customers I meant they were terrible!
Your house sounds well insulated. Microbore might be adequate for a heat pump. If the fault on the boiler allows it, turn down the flow temperature on your heating and see how low you can get it and still have adequate heat.
There is no issue with the heating or hot water at the moment as the thermostatic taps are sorting temps at the tap.
I think the main issue is do we go for a combi or a system replacement.
I would love a heat pump, solar and a decent battery, but don't have the funds for that ATM.
I'd stick with a system boiler myself, combi boilers are designed for when you have space issues and will probs require bigger gas supply pipe, so unless you also need to replace the hot water tank then stick with what you have.
Edit - is the thermal store in your existing boiler - if so you'll probs have to go combi 🤔
Yes, thermal store is in current boiler. I think Combi is the best way to go. I guess could always add a tank later.
I have been offered a Viessmann 050 35kw fully installed for £3457 or a Baxi Platinum 30kW for £2749, with 2 years servicing thrown in. I think both will do the job. Both have stainless heat exchangers, and the Baxi apparently has a full metal hydraulic circuit with no rubber or plastic sections.
I think I'll go Baxi, but I am just going to check with the installer that it is up to the job.