Which Combi to install?

[avoidingthebotch]

Hi!

I currently have a Vokera Combi system which apparently leaks, and needs replacement of pressure vessel and the auto air vent AND a Power Flush.

Engineers recommend an replacement, as will cost £720 to repair, with continued unreliable performance.

Five people use the house in two bathrooms with showers.

I have a small space (current boiler is 82cm x 40 x 36 deep... and I can fit slightly greater depth if necessary)

This time I am prepared to pay for a decent system which will perform reliably for 5-10 years - with a decent warranty.

The top names seem to be Vaillant Worcester-Boxch, Viessman and Atmos.

i) Any tips?
ii) Am I right to want Combi more than Condensing?



And do I need the following:

iii) Spirovent Magnaclan or Sentinel Filter
(iv) 24 hour timewatch / 7 day programmer /
v) Back-up Electric water heater (under the sink?)

Any coments are gratefullly received! Thanks Dave

 

[gas4you]

You will get 101 different answers to this question.

I would go for the Broag Avanta Plus. Model will depend on your cold mains pressure/flow rate.

If really good look at the 35c or 39c.

 

[kevplumb]

ii) Am I right to want Combi more than Condensing?

whatever you get it will be condensing

And do I need the following:

iii) Spirovent Magnaclan or Sentinel Filter
(iv) 24 hour timewatch / 7 day programmer /
v) Back-up Electric water heater (under the sink?)

spirovent yes

programmer yes
you could get a programable room stat

a back up water heater theres a sign of confidence

 

[bengasman]

Engineers recommend an replacement, as will cost £720 to repair...

Fixed price repair is about £200 - £250.

How did they get to a quote of £720?

What is your budget for a new install?

 

[petit_pablo]

£720 to repair a vokera!

EV - £100ish
AAV - £15ish

Couple of hours labour to fit on top.

You dont need the flush to fix it. Tell him to jog on

 

[doitall]

First you must find a good RGI, If you post an area, there may be someone we can recommend.

I would go for the "avanta", as Dave said, but you need to check the water pressure and flow rate, at peak and off peak times. For sure it won't be any worse than what you have, on the other hand there's no point paying out for a bigger output boiler if the mains can't deliver.

 

[BingoBongo]

if they are adamant you need a power flush due to water sample then you would also need one for a new boiler install.


See FAQ for repressurising your expansion vessel and pick up an auto air vent for a brown 1 (tenner)

2nd opinion me thinks

 

[Agile]

A single combi like that will only supply one outlet at a time.

Whilst its nice to have two bathrooms only one can be used at a time.

If you are happy with that then a simple similar boiler will suffice.

I try not to get into these pointless arguments over which boiler is best. Unless I am to fit it then its pretty irrelevant. Ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers.

Tony

 

[avoidingthebotch]

... it's making it a lot easier!

water pressure and flow has been ok so far for the two showers (upstairs one drops but doesnt disappear when downstairs in use)

i am on Brixton Hill if anyone knows a decent RGI!

and it seems i have been done re: repairs by the combination of HomeCall insurance, in which there is more excepted (it seems) than covered, and a great reluctance to DO anything... and by their contractors... when the engineer says £400, they say £732... just the odd add-on

the power flush I had was 6 years ago... one engineer suggested they may not have put chemicals in the system... but would it create corrosion so quickly?

thanks for all the posts, keep 'em coming if you can!!! and thanks for boiler recommendation (i do understand that each will have different strenghts and fans, just good to hear some recommendations!)

 

[APHSLTD]

...

the power flush I had was 6 years ago... one engineer suggested they may not have put chemicals in the system... but would it create corrosion so quickly?

Ooop's wrong thread

 

[avoidingthebotch]

720 to repair a vokera!

EV - £100ish
AAV - £15ish

Couple of hours labour to fit on top.

You dont need the flush to fix it. Tell him to jog on

many thanks Petit Pablo ... i've been done, eh? - sorry, what are EV and AAV? thanks AtheB (!)

 

[doitall]

Yes a Which report reckons 90% of house holders would be hundreds of pounds better off putting the money into a post office account for eventualities.

AAV= auto air vent.

PRV= pressure relief valve or pressure reducing valve, for boiler it is normally the first.

 

[avoidingthebotch]

Just had someone look at the flat, was suggesting I don't bother with 35KW Broag or Avanta boilers (although 5 people, two showers) because 'If you go above 29KW you wil have to change your gas piping... it has 15mm gas, andwe would have to make the first part 28mm and then take it down to 22mm before it went into boiler'.. 2 men, 2 days for total installation.. = costs of 995 plus VAT for labour/3thermostat/new wireless digistat/new combimate inline filter... but EXCLUDING powerflush and the boiler itself!

He says, get a Glow-worm 24KW (or Duotec if you want to spend more) and pay the extra on services and insurance over the next 5-7 years after which it will pack up anyway

does this sound legitimate? please help a gas novice if you can! thanks

 

[APHSLTD]

Just had someone look at the flat, was suggesting I don't bother with 35KW Broag or Avanta boilers (although 5 people, two showers) because 'If you go above 29KW you wil have to change your gas piping... it has 15mm gas, andwe would have to make the first part 28mm and then take it down to 22mm before it went into boiler'.. 2 men, 2 days for total installation.. = costs of 995 plus VAT for labour/3thermostat/new wireless digistat/new combimate inline filter... but EXCLUDING powerflush and the boiler itself!

He says, get a Glow-worm 24KW (or Duotec if you want to spend more) and pay the extra on services and insurance over the next 5-7 years after which it will pack up anyway

does this sound legitimate? please help a gas novice if you can! thanks

If your gas pipe is 15mm it will need upgraded regardless a 15mm supply will not do a 24KW boiler.

5-7 years A well installed, well maintained combi (even a cheaper brand) will last for 10-15 years no problem.

Yer man sounds like a right cowboy by the way.

Like Tony said ask 10 plumbers which is the best boiler on the market and you will probably get 10 different answers.

 

[doitall]

Clearly a chancer

Magnaclean is much better than the boiler buddy, In my opinion.

The gas will need to be unsized whatever boiler you have installed.

As I said earlier Match the boiler with the mains.

The Avanta 28c 11.4 Ltrs/min. the 35c 14.2 Ltrs/min, the 39 15.9 Ltrs/min (ΔT = 35°C)