I am a 6 year time served plumber & heating engineer, ex Corgi and retired for quite a number of years. I’m looking for general advice as follows.
When we moved into our present home some thirty years ago there was only a coal fired backboiler for DHW.
I installed central heating using a Glow Worm Majorca 2 gas back boiler which is still in use today. However have decided that it must need replacing so have been looking at the alternatives. I have been reading all the threads on this site from current installers, and also the manufacturers web sites for information on these modern combi and conventional condensing boilers of which I have no experience whatsoever. If I had a choice I would opt for another back boiler + gas fire despite it being less economical but it appears I don’t have that option.
After studying the above options I would prefer to keep my existing cylinder with its immersion heater on white meter overnight tariff. As the boiler at present is virtually never used during the summer periods this gives me an alternative DHW source.
Location of the proposed boiler gives me some problems. We have just had a new kitchen installed which is the wife’s pride and joy although it gave me grief to see my own installed one decades ago being ripped out. Suggestions that one of the wall cupboards might have to be used for a boiler met with that “You must be joking” line.
The airing cupboard met with disapproval although I think she would relent.
My first question is “where does the condense have to discharge to”. The back of the airing cupboard goes out on to a kitchen extension tiled roof and then into plastic guttering. Not suitable?.
If it was installed upstairs is it the normal practise to use the existing 28mm pumped primaries from the cylinder to link up to the downstairs heating circuit which at present come off the backboiler?.
I note on the Bosch site that they specify a 22mm gas supply. Surprised by this as 15mm used to be the norm for domestic boilers. Does this mean that a new 22mm supply has to be taken from the meter ?.
I realise of course that when I call in a contractor he will advise but I like to have a fair knowledge of the pro's and cons before I call one in. Please offer any other advice you think may be of use.
Many other questions I would like to ask but realise this post is a long one. Just one last thing….British Gas are offering £400.00 off new boilers at present plus a £300 voucher from House Warm for over 60s. is this a good offer and what are your opinions on BG.
Regards wemyss
When we moved into our present home some thirty years ago there was only a coal fired backboiler for DHW.
I installed central heating using a Glow Worm Majorca 2 gas back boiler which is still in use today. However have decided that it must need replacing so have been looking at the alternatives. I have been reading all the threads on this site from current installers, and also the manufacturers web sites for information on these modern combi and conventional condensing boilers of which I have no experience whatsoever. If I had a choice I would opt for another back boiler + gas fire despite it being less economical but it appears I don’t have that option.
After studying the above options I would prefer to keep my existing cylinder with its immersion heater on white meter overnight tariff. As the boiler at present is virtually never used during the summer periods this gives me an alternative DHW source.
Location of the proposed boiler gives me some problems. We have just had a new kitchen installed which is the wife’s pride and joy although it gave me grief to see my own installed one decades ago being ripped out. Suggestions that one of the wall cupboards might have to be used for a boiler met with that “You must be joking” line.
The airing cupboard met with disapproval although I think she would relent.
My first question is “where does the condense have to discharge to”. The back of the airing cupboard goes out on to a kitchen extension tiled roof and then into plastic guttering. Not suitable?.
If it was installed upstairs is it the normal practise to use the existing 28mm pumped primaries from the cylinder to link up to the downstairs heating circuit which at present come off the backboiler?.
I note on the Bosch site that they specify a 22mm gas supply. Surprised by this as 15mm used to be the norm for domestic boilers. Does this mean that a new 22mm supply has to be taken from the meter ?.
I realise of course that when I call in a contractor he will advise but I like to have a fair knowledge of the pro's and cons before I call one in. Please offer any other advice you think may be of use.
Many other questions I would like to ask but realise this post is a long one. Just one last thing….British Gas are offering £400.00 off new boilers at present plus a £300 voucher from House Warm for over 60s. is this a good offer and what are your opinions on BG.
Regards wemyss