Why should my son get a combi fitted?

[Tezbedz]

My son tells me he has been advised to get a combi fitted, and I am not sure if I agree.

We both have the same system an indirect system with the boiler in kitchen the combined tanks in the airing cupboard which gives a head of about 3ft above bath taps. His combi would replace all of this.

He cannot run a shower direct from the tank at the moment, I have fitted a pump to our hot supply which feeds all hot water and provides a lovely shower, would this be a better system for him?

He has been told that he will be able to have a shower fitted which will be supplied by the combi.

I remember having a combi about 15 years ago direct from mains and it could not handle a shower.

I would appreciate any advice you can give me to ensure he does not get disappointed

Thanks
Terry

 

[kevplumb]

My son tells me he has been advised to get a combi fitted, and I am not sure if I agree.

size of house bathrooms etc

He cannot run a shower direct from the tank at the moment, I have fitted a pump to our hot supply which feeds all hot water and provides a lovely shower, would this be a better system for him?

depends on what you want

He has been told that he will be able to have a shower fitted which will be supplied by the combi.

yup

I remember having a combi about 15 years ago direct from mains and it could not handle a shower.

they have moved on a bit

 

[JohnD]

does his old boiler need replacing anyway?

How many bathrooms and occupants?

 

[gas4you]

Modern condensing combis are far better than your distant memories!

If he has a 30Kw one fitted this will give a very good shower and he will get an improved hot tap water flow on all hot taps.

I assume that if it is a 'fortic' cylinder then it must be a flat or small property. If this is the case combis are a near perfect solution. If it happens to be a larger property with more than one bath then bear in mind that a combi will only supply one hot tap at a time efficiently.

Always size the combi for hot water usage and not number of rads.

I would recommend the Vaillant Ecotec Plus 831

 

[kevplumb]

err the incoming press and flowrate is

 

[gas4you]

Sorry Kev I thought this but forgot to mention

Good job you're keeping an eye on things

 

[Tezbedz]

Hi

3 bedroom house built in 70's, one upstairs bathroom, (bath, basin & toilet, though wants shower cubicle), one downstairs cloak, (toilet & basin) and Kitchen.

Has full CH as well.

His cylinder is a Gledhill indirect system which is huge

 

[gas4you]

Check your incoming cold mains pressure and flow as kev says and if good then go with the Vaillant

 

[Soggy_weetabix]

I have 8 bar mains pressure.

Is this a record?

David

 

[Tezbedz]

That is very positive advice thank you for your help

 

[gas4you]

You beat me! Highest I've fitted combi to is 7 Bar! Didn't need soap just bead blasted you clean

 

[JohnD]

Having a shower pump fitted would be a lot cheaper and easier than buying a new boiler.

If the old boiler is worn out and irrepairable it could be worthwhile.

Personally I prefer a cylinber to a combi.

If another tap is turned on while someone is having a shower the flow of hot water will be shared between them so will drop.

p.s. it IS possible to have a combi for the shower and still keep the cylinder, heated by the same boiler, though this is not often done. It gives you the ability to heat the water with an immersion when the combi breaks down (which it will).

 

[Stivino]

I have 8 bar mains pressure.

Is this a record?

David

I've got a 12" thing with a hole in the middle, is that a record?

 

[Soggy_weetabix]

You beat me! Highest I've fitted combi to is 7 Bar! Didn't need soap just bead blasted you clean

Cant jump mains 'live' in this place'

Id buy a dingy first to sail out the garage.

Land ahoy

David

 

[JohnD]