Need a new boiler

[blueagle78]

As some of you might know I've just bought a new house, a re-possessed property and I got a plumber to come in to sort everything out. But the boiler is not turning out. Its an old Potterton boiler, he reckons its as old as the house which was built in 84/85. Its a conventional one. Obviously he's suggested I should replace it. Boiler is fitted in the utility room and the immersion tank (which is also old) is upstairs in the airing cupboard and has got water pump attached to it. He's suggested I should get a new boiler and new water tank and have them both in the utility room, that way I won't need the water pump. Would you guys agree to that?
Also what could I do to keep the costs down? I just can't afford a lot at the moment
Luckily immersion tank is supplying the hot water at the moment so I'm not in hurry to get the boiler replaced.

 

[blueagle78]

I would really appreciate any advise with regards to this.

 

[45yearsagasman]

I can appreciate the urgency but it is very difficult to advise without a site visit.
If you can't see your way to do it due to financial pressure then get the boiler repaired / serviced and make do until you can get a proper job done. You would regret spending say £1500 and fitting a new boiler and later on wishing you had upgraded the rest of the system.

 

[Jake1886]

Get a heating engineer round to check your boiler/system. You never know it might just require something simple to get your boiler back working.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Don't rush into changing the boiler, especially if funds are tight after moving. As said before, get a Gassafe regd. engineer to check the boiler/system. These boilers are simple, and even old ones can give good service.

Even if you do decide to change, get 3 quotes, ask lots of questions, and make an informed choice.

 

[bengasman]

Simple answer really. To get a good boiler replacing the existing one will cost you around £2000 if you want to get the job done properly.
Very few boilers are beyond repair, and unless you have one of the rare complete lemons e.g. powemax or elan, your current boiler can be repaired.
Have a look at my website for more info about boiler repairs, and find yourself a repair specialist after that.
Worth getting one out for a complete heating system survey with the understanding that the boiler gets a service, will definitely not be replaced, and only repaired there and then if the cost is relatively low. Be prepaired to pay a call out charge/diagnostic fee for this.
You didn't mention which model it is.

 

[blueagle78]

I've decided to get the boiler and hot water tank replaced. Had 2 guys out so far for quotations. Had one from British Gas and they've quoted me close to £6k which I believe is a rip off for replacing boiler and hot water tank. The other guy is Worcester Borsh registered plumber and I'm waiting for his quote. Waiting for one more plumber to turn up who's re-done the whole system in my parents and 2 other family members houses.
British Gas advisor, advised against the Megaflow because he said I've only got 16 bar cold water pressure (whatever that means) he said it should be at least 20.
At the moment I've got open vented system (2 cold water tanks in the loft, a hot water tank in the airing cupboard upstairs and boiler in the utility room). My question is shall I leave the system as it is or replace it with mega flow? I've got 19 rads and 3 showers in the house plus kitchen and a small kitchen in the studio flat which I'll be putting on rent in the near future.

 

[blueagle78]

I've got one question and I hope someone can help me here. Shall I go for System boiler or open vented one? I've got 2 cold water tanks in the loft which means I've got an old open vented boiler. I'm thinking of getting a system boiler fit in so I could get rid of the water tanks from the loft. Is this something you would recommend? Thanks