When to fit a combi or condensing boiler
- Thread starter GeoH
- Start date
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Hi oilman
No I am not doing a course
Tried search but just about every thread has combi, boiler or condensing in it.
I need a new boiler fitted and the plumber says that my system cannot have a condensing boiler fitted. It has a combi at present Sime 80E
Work away and cant ask him exactly why. Hassle from wife as well because never there when things happen
So any help would be appreciated just to understand why????
George
No I am not doing a course
Tried search but just about every thread has combi, boiler or condensing in it.
I need a new boiler fitted and the plumber says that my system cannot have a condensing boiler fitted. It has a combi at present Sime 80E
Work away and cant ask him exactly why. Hassle from wife as well because never there when things happen
So any help would be appreciated just to understand why????
George
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a combi is a boiler that heats water as reqd ,same as you have now, a condenser is a high efficancy boiler that you can buy ,it is available as a combi or standard boiler. and should be fitted on most new or boiler changes. your installer should be fitting a condensing combi ,my personal choice would be a vaillant eco max
What you need is a condensing combi. In England & Wales it is now virtually mandatory to fit a condensing boiler for any new or replacement installation. Condensing simply means that more heat is extracted from flue gases..meaning you use less gas. The flue gases are so much cooler that the water in them condenses and you need a small drain to take it away.
Its not mandatory to fit one in Scotland yet, so some gas engineers there might possibly continue to recommend less efficient boilers, quite properly and legally. Its the way to go however, though some disagree, so I'd insist on a condensing boiler. Its pretty well the same to install.
Condensing boiler technology is not that new..I've had one for 13 years in a house I own in the dales. I'd be very surprised if it were not possible to install one in place of your current combi. The ONLY difference is you need to run a 20mm plastic condensate drain pipe from the boiler to a nearby disposal point, either a drain pipe or sink waste, or a kitchen gulley. Easy peasy most of the time, but as I don't know your installation I can't be 100% on this of course.
You also get a plume of water vapour(steam) from the flue. If this is likely to annoy/inconvenience neighbours then there are kits to reduce its effect, but most people are Ok with it.
There was loads of grumbling from installers in England at first, but it was just that...grumbling, and they now install them every day without batting an eyelid...Some of them even work
Alfredo
Its not mandatory to fit one in Scotland yet, so some gas engineers there might possibly continue to recommend less efficient boilers, quite properly and legally. Its the way to go however, though some disagree, so I'd insist on a condensing boiler. Its pretty well the same to install.
Condensing boiler technology is not that new..I've had one for 13 years in a house I own in the dales. I'd be very surprised if it were not possible to install one in place of your current combi. The ONLY difference is you need to run a 20mm plastic condensate drain pipe from the boiler to a nearby disposal point, either a drain pipe or sink waste, or a kitchen gulley. Easy peasy most of the time, but as I don't know your installation I can't be 100% on this of course.
You also get a plume of water vapour(steam) from the flue. If this is likely to annoy/inconvenience neighbours then there are kits to reduce its effect, but most people are Ok with it.
There was loads of grumbling from installers in England at first, but it was just that...grumbling, and they now install them every day without batting an eyelid...Some of them even work
Alfredo
Thanks all
I thought that you should normally be able to change it out.
It is probably that the boiler is in the loft space in the attic and the opposite side from any drains.
Only place he could pipe the drain to is gutters and even that would be a task.
He has recommended the Baxi 105 HE
Ta
George
I thought that you should normally be able to change it out.
It is probably that the boiler is in the loft space in the attic and the opposite side from any drains.
Only place he could pipe the drain to is gutters and even that would be a task.
He has recommended the Baxi 105 HE
Ta
George
105he is a great boiler but since it's band b and has a primary condensing heat exchanger bolted on the flue gases have more resistance to encounter so less flexible fluing options are available to you.
Baxi are presently selling the band a boiler with 3 year warranite for a give away price via the Majic boiler scheme. I would strongly recommend you to ask your installer to look at the new models the combi is called Duotec and the system boiler a Megaflow (in keeping with the in house brand of unvented hot water cylinder). These are band a boilers at the band b price.
Baxi are presently selling the band a boiler with 3 year warranite for a give away price via the Majic boiler scheme. I would strongly recommend you to ask your installer to look at the new models the combi is called Duotec and the system boiler a Megaflow (in keeping with the in house brand of unvented hot water cylinder). These are band a boilers at the band b price.
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