changing from a 20 + year old Potterton to something new and efficient?
any ideas? Or just keep it until it blows up?
cheers
Do some research on the life of new boilers. I'd be surprised if many break even given the cost to change if you're not savvy about who fits and services it.
Change it when it becomes unreliable.
New boiler bought today wont last 20years, to make them more efficient things like heat exchangers are made out of thinner materials , they have more complex controls etc etc .
Changing to a new boiler for efficiency is like spending 5 grand on a new car to gain 10mpg... Pay back doesnt add up for a very very long time and assumes it doesnt need any further cash spent on it.
We saved the money of the install in 2 years after getting our old boiler replaced. Literally. Our gas bill dropped hugely. The new on demand boilers are incredibly efficient. Only fire when you need them. Turn off immediately afterwards.. Get one. Oh, the new condensing boilers need a constantly clear, protected outlet otherwise they stop working in winter,
Edit: This was more than 10 years ago and we've never had a problem with the new boiler other than the condensation pipe freezing.
been offered one free by a plumber mate who has it knocking around in his garage. Just pay for installation - £500 ish. Not sure what it is though
deffo can't see the benefit in £2k - £4k
"We saved the money of the install in 2 years after getting our old boiler replaced. Literally. Our gas bill dropped hugely. The new on demand boilers are incredibly efficient. Only fire when you need them"
What was your old one doing like.....staying on all the time.
Fitting a decent thermostat in a suitable location would probably have made a big dent in it.
We're likely needing a new boiler in the place we've just bought, as it's got a small (well, suitable for the place currently) boiler with water tank etc etc
Looking to extend the place, so will need a bigger boiler. Builder recommends a combi boiler - means we can do away with all the additional water storage and free up loft space...
Say will be more efficient too... Boilers are one of those things you hear dread stories about aren't they!!
DrP
I am currently in dread boiler hell.Sludge in the heat exchangers apparently (very long story).
We were planning to replace it in the summer when we sorted the kitchen but the bastid has died on us.AAAGGGGhhhhhh.
B Gas wanted best part of a GRAND to magnetic flush & install filter.hohoho.
Just about to get some oil filled rads til our plumber is free...brrr.
Every one seems to rate the Vaillant boilers.....they come with a 7 year warranty if fitted by the right person. At another place, I've had a worcester Bosch which has been very reliable.
Worcester have been 'rated highly' by friends too..
any thoughts on potterton?
DrP
If it's Potterton Netaheat, then the savings won't be that much as it is a pretty efficient boiler (78%) and a revolutionary design for the 70s when 50% was normal. A modern boiler might be 95%.
http://www.miketheboilerman.com/Netaheat.htm
I have one and I'm keeping it going as long as possible. There's no way a modern boiler would last 25+ years (age of mine) on the original heat exchanger. In the 18 years I've owned this one (it was in the house when I bought it) it's been moved twice and the total parts / servicing cost has been £150! There's nothing modern that could come anywhere close to being that robust.
The current boiler isn't potterton, but the new suggestion (to meet our future needs) has been a potterton. I just wondered if potterton vs worcester is a battle worth paying over...
DrP