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I've lived in my 1930's terraced house for 20 odd years and the conventional boiler is still going strong, but I'm considering changing to a combi. Partly because I've had a few loft leaks over the years, for various reasons that are not relevant, but with a combi boiler all of that will be in the past, and partly because I'd like to save money if at all possible.
What I want to know is have any of you made this change and if so, were the savings as good as I'm reading?
Also, for anyone who has the time, what are the pros and cons of making this change? I have one bathroom, which is sometimes shared when I have a lodger, 3 bedrooms, an extended kitchen and two main rooms (I'm one of those that haven't knocked the wall through).
Another question is, have you noticed any difference in the heating of the home? There shouldn't be I guess, but it's good to know.
I trust you lot more than anyone trying to sell me something, so any advice would be appreciated before my local engineer calls me (I've not long left him a message)
TIA
What I want to know is have any of you made this change and if so, were the savings as good as I'm reading?
Also, for anyone who has the time, what are the pros and cons of making this change? I have one bathroom, which is sometimes shared when I have a lodger, 3 bedrooms, an extended kitchen and two main rooms (I'm one of those that haven't knocked the wall through).
Another question is, have you noticed any difference in the heating of the home? There shouldn't be I guess, but it's good to know.
I trust you lot more than anyone trying to sell me something, so any advice would be appreciated before my local engineer calls me (I've not long left him a message)
TIA
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How do you get your domestic hot water now, with a storage tank on the central heating?
If you do, that's three tanks you won't need with a combi.
No feeder tanks with a pressurised system.
If you do, that's three tanks you won't need with a combi.
No feeder tanks with a pressurised system.
Yeah, I have both the main tank and expansion tank in the loft. I'd rather have no water in the loft at all, hence the consideration for a combi, plus the reduced heating costs. That's the theory anyway. Always had a conventional boiler, so a little naive when it comes to combi boilers.
Get a combi, there's no downside especially if you can have it in the same place as your old boiler so there's no great installation cost. It will be more efficient and with the cost of energy will save you money in the long term.
And as Crappin said you don't store hot water, which can go cold if you don't use it, you heat the water when the hot taps are turned on and that's it.
You can't say that without giving a reason lfc
As for position Charlie, I'm looking at putting it in the bathroom cupboard, where the cylinder currently resides. My boiler is in the back bedroom.
As for position Charlie, I'm looking at putting it in the bathroom cupboard, where the cylinder currently resides. My boiler is in the back bedroom.
I’d like to change
But my old girl of Boiler fires up
With no problem at all never had anything go wrong
With it I’ve been in house 14 years now
Problem is I’ve two women in house
They have 10 min + showers nick hot water
Other than that only change if I completely revamp the house
But my old girl of Boiler fires up
With no problem at all never had anything go wrong
With it I’ve been in house 14 years now
Problem is I’ve two women in house
They have 10 min + showers nick hot water
Other than that only change if I completely revamp the house
Get a combi, they are efficient.
Lots of free ones from council or energy company too
or help with that.
Speak to your gas provider about it
Get quotes if you have to pay, obviously.
https://thefreeboilerscheme.co.uk/
..
Lots of free ones from council or energy company too
or help with that.
Speak to your gas provider about it
Get quotes if you have to pay, obviously.
https://thefreeboilerscheme.co.uk/
..
My dad got a free one and he's not on benefits.
Energy company he was with had quota so came and fitted it...
Energy company he was with had quota so came and fitted it...
Maybe with all the heat pump stuff there's less free combi, but
always worth a look.
always worth a look.
I most definitely will yhtl, can't ignore it that's for sure. Have saved page in favourites and will take a look when I'm not punting. Thanks for that.
Nov 10, 2023 -- 7:09PM, Aspro wrote:
You can't say that without giving a reason lfcAs for position Charlie, I'm looking at putting it in the bathroom cupboard, where the cylinder currently resides. My boiler is in the back bedroom.
I can't comment on bathroom cupboard but where the combi is also acts as your airing cubpoard so it sounds ok. The only other thing I can think of right now is where you can control it from. I didn't bother with a downstairs heating control so when I turn the heating on I have to go upstairs to do so.
I like an immersion heater ..cheap and no maintenance
Depends on the individual of course
Depends on the individual of course
Why fire up a boiler to get hot water in the summer ?
One more thing I've thought of is the size of boiler you need and radiator size required for each room. If you're getting a quote then the engineer should work that out for you.
Some Decent Combi offers about if you Shop round ,The One I have was all in Fitted Just over a Grand, Still going ok after 7 years But looking at getting a New one in the next couple of years , as not sure what will happen going Forward regarding boilers
Interesting case. I haven't had a call from the engineer yet, but that would be a nice saving if they supply and fit for (say) under £2k. I'll be happy with that.
Nov 10, 2023 -- 8:18PM, Aspro wrote:
I've got 8 rads btw
But are they the correct size (BTUs) for each room? As I said the heating engineer should work that out for you.
Yes they are. I bought a new curved radiator for the front room to go in the bay and I actually worked it out for myself. When the plumber arrived he said it was spot on. I also put another radiator in my back room with the same strategy. All the others though were here when I bought the house 20 years ago, so have no idea of them. How would I know?
Sorry but I keep thinking about this 
, have you got, or want, thermostatic valves for each room?
The heating engineer should work them out for you.
, have you got, or want, thermostatic valves for each room?The heating engineer should work them out for you.
Do you have the same boiler from 20 years ago
still working ?
still working ?
Have a look at British Gas for a free (I think) quote: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/boiler-marketplace/quote-options
.
.
About 2 years ago I replaced every valve in the house with new thermostatic valves, that's when I bought the the new radiators. Also had a power flush and completely revamped it all, barring the boiler.
Yes lfc, the boiler is the same. God knows how old it is as I don't believe it was new either.
Yes lfc, the boiler is the same. God knows how old it is as I don't believe it was new either.
In my other house I let British Gas replace the entire central heating. I also called them out a few years back for a quote, but their prices are way too high.
I think Brish Gas are too expensive but if you can get a free quote then I think that may be worth the hastle to see what you really need.
Yeah, I think British gas are expensive, but it'll give
you a decent start point.
you a decent start point.
I see .. you have a boiler that has worked perfectly well for at least 20 years
You have an immersion heater I presume .. why are you going to the expense of changing to
More expense ..-( they break down and are complicated )and no benefit
You have an immersion heater I presume .. why are you going to the expense of changing to
More expense ..-( they break down and are complicated )and no benefit
Good question lfc. I'm moving in the next 1-5 years and I will need to replace the boiler at some point. I've had a few faults with it but my local guy fixed them, but warned me that it is old and probably won't last a great deal longer. I've decided that if I'm going to replace it to aid the sale, then I might as well benefit from it for a while. Prices don't go down.
...and if I get an efficient boiler, I'll save a few bob on the bills.
If you’re selling your house .. don’t replace the boiler
Even if it doesn’t work and needs replaced . That’s the new buyers job
Let them know it might need replacing
Even if it doesn’t work and needs replaced . That’s the new buyers job
Let them know it might need replacing
Many people , most ? Will do work when buying a property
Including a new boiler .. Don’t waste your time and money buying a new boiler for them
Including a new boiler .. Don’t waste your time and money buying a new boiler for them
I need to get an energy certificate and the better I can make this house, the more chance of getting top dollar. I'm thinking that if so many things need replacing I won't have a leg to stand on if they try to barter, which you know they will.
Well it’s been a few years since I bought a house
And a buyer couldn’t care less how old the boiler is
And a buyer couldn’t care less how old the boiler is
Imagine fitting a new boiler after 20 years
And then selling the house .. complete nonsense !
And then selling the house .. complete nonsense !
Trust me they do. When I sold my Dad's house that was a major selling point. He got his for free too and the buyer wanted a cheaper price, but when I told her that the boiler was new, she buckled and gave me the asking price.
With the way prices are going, it makes more sense doing it now and enjoying the benefits of it for a few years. I should get back up to half the cost in savings over that period
Aspro if I’m buying a house .. I don’t care if it has an old or new boiler
It’s immaterial . It’s the house you are selling not the boiler
It’s immaterial . It’s the house you are selling not the boiler
Yes I do agree to a point, but a lot depends on the age of the buyer. Young and they want to rip the house apart and start afresh, but giving them a few tasters certainly helps. New soffits and fascia's, all the central heating complete with valves etc, good double-glazing, a decent roof and a fully fitted kitchen. All they need to do is decorate it.
Houses in the South East are not cheap and the odds are they are mortgaged up to the hilt, with little to spare. Give them some expensive freebies and the sale is as good as done.
Houses in the South East are not cheap and the odds are they are mortgaged up to the hilt, with little to spare. Give them some expensive freebies and the sale is as good as done.
My next door elderly neighbours house has just been sold
The new buyer has ripped out the kitchen .. fitted a nice new boiler
( which I have only seen because their garden and almost their house flooded just those few days ago
The boiler - NEW - bought after buying the house was ok as it was sitting on a raised block above the water
A house sells dependant on the house ..
The new buyer has ripped out the kitchen .. fitted a nice new boiler
( which I have only seen because their garden and almost their house flooded just those few days ago
The boiler - NEW - bought after buying the house was ok as it was sitting on a raised block above the water
A house sells dependant on the house ..
I've moved several times and I would wager that I'll get £5k+ more than the cost of all the things I've improved. If I leave them the survey will come up short. As a retired IFA/Mortgage broker I've seen it too many times. I need top dollar to buy my next home outright, hence the improvements. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one lfc.
As long as it’s safe Aspro
That’s all you need to ensure
That’s all you need to ensure
You make a fair argument and I fully respect it too, but when I'm ready to sell, I don't want to have to wait.
Oh I see .. you’ve got plenty of money if you’re
buying houses outright
Very good
buying houses outright
Very good
Well not quite. I've still got a mortgage on this house and I've done the maths. My aim is to move to the coast and if I play this right, I have sufficient equity to be mortgage free, but I need to get the right price. I'm pretty sure I'm on-track.
Beautiful .. I couldn’t feel truly at home if I didn’t
live by the sea , even the most beautiful countryside ( I know that , or discovered that ) That sounds ideal
live by the sea , even the most beautiful countryside ( I know that , or discovered that ) That sounds ideal
The problem is... which coast
If all falls into place, I hope it's the right one.
If all falls into place, I hope it's the right one.
Once you are mortgage free there is a wonderful feeling of liberation
If you have a roof over your head everything else is manageable
If you have a roof over your head everything else is manageable
Combi-pro -no tank needed, unlimited hot water.
Con. When first drawing water, you waste about 3 mins or so of cold water depending on distance of tap from boiler. If showering and someone flushes loo elsewhere in house , flow drops to nothing.
Con. When first drawing water, you waste about 3 mins or so of cold water depending on distance of tap from boiler. If showering and someone flushes loo elsewhere in house , flow drops to nothing.
Interesting Monoleeds, but 3 minutes???
Only one toilet so that won't be a problem, but does the same happen if someone uses the kitchen sink, for example?
Only one toilet so that won't be a problem, but does the same happen if someone uses the kitchen sink, for example?
One question that hasn't been answered yet. Can anyone confirm the savings by transferring from a conventional boiler to a combi? Is it noticeable?
If I put the shower on upstairs first thing in the morning, the heated water has to come from the boiler downstairs in the garage . You have to draw the cold water from the pipe, then the boiler has to heat up the water and push it through the system.
Using the downstairs kitchen taps is about the same.
The plumber says the pipework is a bit strange (dates from the 60s and impossible to replace without ripping up floors) so a more modern house should be quicker .
If you are in the shower and someone tries to fill the kitchen sink at full blast, you get the drop in pressure.
Using the downstairs kitchen taps is about the same.
The plumber says the pipework is a bit strange (dates from the 60s and impossible to replace without ripping up floors) so a more modern house should be quicker .
If you are in the shower and someone tries to fill the kitchen sink at full blast, you get the drop in pressure.
You may have indirectly thrown a spanner in the works Manoleeds. I have an Aqualisa power-shower, that works with a pump, situated in the loft. It works with the gravity-fed system and it wasn't cheap either. I'm now wondering if it would work with a combi-boiler, where the pressure is from the mains. I would not want to lose this as there is no better way to start my day. It is not an electric shower, as it relies on the heated water in the system; when that runs out, the shower runs cold. Hmmm, that may present a problem.
We have a different shower head when
we switched our shower to the combi.
We had an electric one.
It's not a problem, but maybe a cheaper combi
might not do this... Something to ask when
getting quotes.
we switched our shower to the combi.
We had an electric one.
It's not a problem, but maybe a cheaper combi
might not do this... Something to ask when
getting quotes.
Most definitely. I'll check with the company first, first thing Monday morning, but I have a feeling this could present an issue as my initial instincts tell me that it is not designed for a combi.
I had an Aqualisa shower as well -the plumber put a different gubbins in the loft so it still worked .
With regards to the shower. the hot water with a combi boiler is sent at mains pressure so there is no need for additional pumps or power showers I guess the Aqualisa will still work but will have less boosting to do, if the boiler is positioned centrally the wait for hot water will not be 3 minutes, its about 30 seconds for me worst case. The combi should be about 30% more efficient than your old boiler and you will never run out of hot water.
I am very happy with mine, also consider having a MagnaClean installed, it collects all the iron based crud from the system as it circulates, even after about 5 years the water in the heating system (with some 30 years plus oldradiators) is still crystal clear with no need for any flushing.
I am very happy with mine, also consider having a MagnaClean installed, it collects all the iron based crud from the system as it circulates, even after about 5 years the water in the heating system (with some 30 years plus oldradiators) is still crystal clear with no need for any flushing.
British Gas
British Telecoms
British Petroleum
British Airways
British Home stores
British Rail
are you beginning to get the picture ? ...................total embarrassments to the U K
British Telecoms
British Petroleum
British Airways
British Home stores
British Rail
are you beginning to get the picture ? ...................total embarrassments to the U K
combi
the tech will come an advise you on best , for flat house
https://www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/boilers/boilers-by-brand/vokera?cat=31&msclkid=cbcf07676177183c636d62280456e68a&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ID%20%7C%20Search%20%7C%20Non-Brand%20%7C%20Boilers%20Brands%20Generics%20%7C%20Exacts%20%7C%20RLSA&utm_term=Vokera%20combination%20boilers&utm_content=Vokera%20Combi%20Boilers
the tech will come an advise you on best , for flat house
https://www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/boilers/boilers-by-brand/vokera?cat=31&msclkid=cbcf07676177183c636d62280456e68a&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ID%20%7C%20Search%20%7C%20Non-Brand%20%7C%20Boilers%20Brands%20Generics%20%7C%20Exacts%20%7C%20RLSA&utm_term=Vokera%20combination%20boilers&utm_content=Vokera%20Combi%20Boilers
My new build had a conmi boiler installed, so I had it from new. Negates the need for a power shower, in fact on the snagging I had to get them to dial down the pressure. There is a tiny lag for the hot water to come through, talking 20-30 seconds in the bathroom. Others may have different experiences, but you set your preferred room temp and that's it, remains at a stable temp. I believe that is partly due to having the excellent insulation that comes with a new build property.
But are they the correct size (BTUs) for each room? As I said the heating engineer should work that out for you.
Like lambs to the slaughter. I thought he'd fall for that.
Most only guess, better make sure they get it right. Pay regard to build of house, insulation, double glazing etc.
Size of boiler is also very important.
Like lambs to the slaughter. I thought he'd fall for that.
Most only guess, better make sure they get it right. Pay regard to build of house, insulation, double glazing etc.
Size of boiler is also very important.
I've just got off the phone with Aqualisa and it can work, but the box in the loft needs to be changed to a mains pressure box, so the good news is it can be done. The not-so-good news is the cost of the replacement is £630.54 inc VAT 
also consider having a MagnaClean installed
I've got one of those. They are good.
I've got one of those. They are good.
See if this would work for you https://ourbathroom.com/product/aqualisa-pumped-to-hpcombi-conversion-no-nee...
Wow! That's a big difference... a £500 saving. Thanks for that Manoleeds, it might just be what I'm looking for. Of course, Aqualisa are not going to recommend it if they can sell me a replacement for a considerably higher cost.
I did actually find the part on eBay, second hand but working fine for around £250, so it is unlikely I'll be paying top dollar, but this may be even better!
I did actually find the part on eBay, second hand but working fine for around £250, so it is unlikely I'll be paying top dollar, but this may be even better!
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