Hi All
My trusty Apollo 15/30b boiler must be coming up to 25 years old (possibly more) and although it runs fine and has a decent heat exchanger, and a service once a year, has inhibiter etc in system, I have to see sense and know it could pack in at anytime.(USUALLY AT WINTER)
The property is a 4 bed detatched timber frame, has ten rads with 10mm microbore, no TRVs, F&E tank in loft, 3 port valve, pump driven, horizontal flue through outside wall.
I have a cylinder in the airing cupboard which I can use on electric as a back up, which is good, and an electric shower which is mains fed.
My questions are as follows..
1. I think the Apollo is 30.000 BTUs and obviously being 10mm microbore takes a little longer to heat up, but all rads apart from one which is in the bathroom get hot, I think the system needs balancing because it works when I close off other rads in the bedrooms.
Is 30.000 BTUs sufficient enough for 2 large double and 3 small double, downstairs, and 5 small single rads which are upstairs.
2. If I go for a Combi, am I restricted in any way because of the microbore and what BTU should I go for, I don't want the boiler struggling, to cope, but don't want the expense and upheaval of replacing all the pipework to 15mm.
3. If I go for an efficient condensing boiler which means I keep the tanks etc, are they as good as combis when it comes to running costs.
4. At the moment I can turn off the main stopcock (VERY IMPORTANT) in case of a pipe burst when away from home, but are you able to do the same with a combi.
5. Being timber frame, what regs are needed when siting a boiler.
I know it is swings and roundabouts, but If I decide to go with a combi, the benefits of instant hot water and a possible loft conversion made easier for myself or a future buyers, may be a bonus.
Sorry but I am no heating engineer and any advice would be truly appreciated,
semi-acoustic
My trusty Apollo 15/30b boiler must be coming up to 25 years old (possibly more) and although it runs fine and has a decent heat exchanger, and a service once a year, has inhibiter etc in system, I have to see sense and know it could pack in at anytime.(USUALLY AT WINTER)
The property is a 4 bed detatched timber frame, has ten rads with 10mm microbore, no TRVs, F&E tank in loft, 3 port valve, pump driven, horizontal flue through outside wall.
I have a cylinder in the airing cupboard which I can use on electric as a back up, which is good, and an electric shower which is mains fed.
My questions are as follows..
1. I think the Apollo is 30.000 BTUs and obviously being 10mm microbore takes a little longer to heat up, but all rads apart from one which is in the bathroom get hot, I think the system needs balancing because it works when I close off other rads in the bedrooms.
Is 30.000 BTUs sufficient enough for 2 large double and 3 small double, downstairs, and 5 small single rads which are upstairs.
2. If I go for a Combi, am I restricted in any way because of the microbore and what BTU should I go for, I don't want the boiler struggling, to cope, but don't want the expense and upheaval of replacing all the pipework to 15mm.
3. If I go for an efficient condensing boiler which means I keep the tanks etc, are they as good as combis when it comes to running costs.
4. At the moment I can turn off the main stopcock (VERY IMPORTANT) in case of a pipe burst when away from home, but are you able to do the same with a combi.
5. Being timber frame, what regs are needed when siting a boiler.
I know it is swings and roundabouts, but If I decide to go with a combi, the benefits of instant hot water and a possible loft conversion made easier for myself or a future buyers, may be a bonus.
Sorry but I am no heating engineer and any advice would be truly appreciated,
semi-acoustic
