You old boiler!

[TheConstantLurker]

hi, anyone recently had a combi replaced, in same place, with a condenser? Am being quoted £3000 including flush out (necessary with new boiler said the plumber) and would like an idea if this is about right.
Tbh it was what I had expected to hear but I'm not entirely sure why.

[TheConstantLurker]

Oh and it would be a Worcester Bosch.

[wendybird77]

That sounds about right depending on where in the country you are. That was about what we were quoted (southwest). Get a couple more quotes though - then you get a sense of price and also who you prefer. We paid a bit more for someone who inspired confidence. As I intend to have them back for annual checks I wanted it to be someone I liked.

[TheConstantLurker]

South east. Nice bloke who has done work or us over the last ten years. Should have asked him last really since I now feel I can't get anyone else to do it.
Bit good to know that it seems ok

[TheConstantLurker]

But, not bit

[nocake]

I'm going to be pedantic... a condensing boiler can also be a combi boiler.

All modern boilers are condesing boilers so you won't find any companies fitting anything else. The condensing technology makes them more efficient. A combi boiler is one that provides instant hot water and doesn't require a hot water storage tank.

So, I assume you're having a condensing combi boiler fitted and I'd say that £3k is expensive. We've been quoted £1.8k to have ours replaced.

[TheConstantLurker]

I totally accept the stuff about boiler types (because I have absolutely no idea) what about this flush out bit, anyone had that?

[PigletJohn]

you are presumably having a new cylinder installed and piped as well, which will add to the work. Are you going for an unvented, such as a Megaflo? They can be extremely good but you need to verify the litres per minute flow from your incoming cold main, in case you need to dig up the garden and lay a new water pipe.

It is normal to have a powerflush when fitting a new boiler to an old system. Otherwise there may be a lot of old sediment which can block the new boiler, this is not covered by the boiler guarantee. I would recommend you have a System Filter such as the Sentinel or Fernox models (not a Magnaclean as they often leak). I expect your installer will agree.

I like a boiler with a stainless-steel heat exchanger. They are very corrosion-resistant and unlikely to clog. Ask your installer if he agrees.

The guarantee for a boiler is often longer if fitted by one of their Approved Installers (this means they have been on the manufacturers training course).

[TheConstantLurker]

A new cylinder? What's this?
Will ask about filters
Unvented? Megaflo?

All that was mentioned was Bosch Worcester Condenser. He did check the existing boiler's vent to the outside and said a wider gas pipe would probably be needed and checked where that would route.

[PigletJohn]

I thought you meant a condensing (conventional) boiler. If you mean a condensing combi, then no cylinder required; the price sounds too high; and verify the water flow is enough to get the most out of your new boiler. A big one might have a capacity of 18litres per minute or so, a small one is often only 12 litres. But it can't deliver more hot water than is supplied from the mains. The leaflet or installer will tell you the HW capacity of your proposed new boiler.

A system filter catches any particles in the water before they can cause a sediment blockage. Particles occur due to corrosion of the steel radiators, plus limescale and other detritus, so are very common, and a filter is worth having.

[TheConstantLurker]

Ok, thanks.

[HeatingMum]

Hi there, it depends on what else you're getting done. It sounds a little on the expensive side. Yes, I am a mum who is a plumber! ;-)

The reason I got into this business was because I found all the lingo a bit overpowering and I thought - "I could do that!". So here I am overalls and all.

Here's the questions I would ask you.

1. Is the new boiler to be sited on the inside of an external wall?
   
2. Do you have any electric power showers?
   
3. How many bedrooms and how many bathrooms do you have?
   

You don't need a cylinder at all with a condensing boiler. There are boilers that have cylinders as part of them, but these tend to be for your biggest houses with 5 or more bedrooms and 4 or more bathrooms. Fire over your info and I'll give you a guide price. Not sure where you're at, so probably don't cover your area, but will certainly give you and idea of what's possible. Send any questions you have up here too and I'll answer anything you want to ask.

Thanks
Audrey

[flow4]

I had an old combi boiler replaced with a new condensing combi in Oct, by a newly qualified and registered boiler man, overseen by an old experienced one (which was an arrangement I liked: saved me money and developed a young person's skills :) ). It cost me £1400 incl system flush and room thermostat. It was approx £900 +bay for parts, and £250 for his labour - and it took him less than a day.

[flow4]

bay *vat