Are new condensing combi worth buying?

[MNasir]

A couple of weeks ago my very old boiler pack up due to a major fault.

I am taking this opportunity to switch to a combi-system.

While researching for a suitable boiler I came across a few consdensing combi boilers (Alpha Boilers CD50 etc). They seem to be quite expensive so I'll be grateful any advise from experts/existing users to help me make my mind up.

Kind regards

MN

 

[oilman]

I am taking this opportunity to switch to a combi-system.

Is your water supply adequate?
How many people live in your house?
How big is your house?
How many bathrooms does it have?

If you didn't ask all of these before deciding, you are putting the cart before the horse.

 

[Dustyy]

Sorry to muscle in on the post but I am in the same position as MNasir. Perhaps my circumstances may be similar and assist....... I live in a 30's 3 bed semi, me, the strife and a baby on the way. We have one bathroom and toilet, though future additions may be a loft conversion with en-suite(5-10 years), a downstairs toilet and poss. a conservatory (2-6 years).
We currently have a Vulcan Continental which though still working seems very expensive to run (£250 per qtr over winter) and have been informed that parts could be v.difficult to obtain should a breakdown occur - thus not wanting to risk such an event with a new born child i am hoping to switch boilers shortly.
I have been erring towards a combi due to the possible future requirement for space in the loft but am still open to opinion on a standard boiler, with possibly a megaflow? In terms of combi's i was looking at an Ideal Stelrad Isar 35HE which is a condensing combi and is up to 120k BTU. Has anyone any experience of this make and model and am i oversizing the output?

 

[bripl]

dustyy please be very careful with this boiler as it has hazardous material in or around it,if and when you have it removed it should be done under controlled conditions.i know many people will ignore this but where loved ones/new borns are concerned you cannot take chances.the boiler should be perfectly safe until it is disturbed,many installers may not be familiar with this appliance or its probs.

 

[bripl]

sorry to hijack the thread, as far as condensing boilers go no i personally do not think they are worth it, but if you insist on buying one the majority of installers/service engineers would say make sure it has a stainless steel heat exchanger

 

[Dustyy]

Thanks for the warning!
Are we talking about asbestos here?

 

[bripl]

in a word yes

 

[MNasir]

Well, I did some reseach before deciding to look in to the combi option in more detail (40 years old 4 bed room house, 2 occupants, 1 bath room with a shower).

It was recommended to me that I should go for the highest flow rate possible. I came across condensing combi boilers. I want to understand both pros and cons of these devices before making my mind.

I'd be grateful if someone with experience of boilers such as Alpha CD50.

Regards

MN

 

[oilman]

This seems very selfish to me. You have a 4 bedroom house and there are only two of you there. Doesn't it occur to you that some day the house will be occupied by more than two people when a combi will be a pain in the a rse? Are you thinking "well I want a combi, and what they want they will have to sort out for themselves"? I hope not.

 

[oilman]

I have been erring towards a combi due to the possible future requirement for space in the loft but am still open to opinion on a standard boiler, with possibly a megaflow?

"Erring", you picked the right word, and compounded it with Megaflo. This has nothing to do with water flow, it is how fast money can flow from your bank account. Megabucks, megaquick.

 

[blahblah]

Oily has a point about cost, an unvented hot water system will cost more. However, if you have sufficient pressure and volume of water main then nothing really beats it. After that a good quality, high flow rate combi MAY be what you need depending on demand etc. Otherwise stick to a 'conventional' system, preferably sealed, with a high recovery cylinder. Doubt Oily will agree though- think he burns other plumbers for fuel!!!

 

[oilman]

This'll surprise you then, i don't disagree. I just try to get people to understand there are significant maintenance costs with anything other than conventional vented systems. If you take a header tank, it costs less than £10. An expansion vessel will cost anywhere between £15 and £60. Some are easy to replace, some have been put in so you have to remove pipework before you can do anything. As for unvented cylinders, lots of these never get any attention until they cause problems, then the fixes can be expensive.

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

Fit what you want in your own house, it's yours and you worked and paid for it, if you want a combi have one, what happens to your house after you have gone is totally the next owners business.
I would recommend a non condenser at the moment until the ones on the market at the moment show wether they have any staying power or not.

 

[oilman]

Fit what you want in your own house, it's yours and you worked and paid for it, if you want a combi have one, what happens to your house after you have gone is totally the next owners business.

Yeah, who gives a toss about anybody but themselves. I agree, I don't care, I've got enough to eat, never mind the old, the young , the infirm, the sick, the starving, or someone who took over some awful house with c rap plumbing put in by using more money than sense, I'm ok I'll make a good living fixing it. Chuck your litter out of the car window, it'll stay cleaner that way. That's the approach for today, a real boost for civilised society and community spirit. Whoopee, we've found paradise!!! Doh!..........

 

[bripl]

i think you found your match pv man.who said plumbers are bitter and twisted