Condenser Combi boiler - Help with quotes coming this weekend...?

You are getting some good answers here. Very amusing ones too. I can only add that you should be able to get the work done cheaper during the summer, when boiler guys are not so busy. Interesting point made by someone about keeping your hot water tank. 'System' boilers (as they are called) will be cheaper to buy than combi ones and you will require a lot less installation work/pipework alteration. Consider replacing the rads though. New ones are a lot more efficient than the stuff installed 20/30 years ago, and they are not too expensive (£50 - £100 per room, plus £20 for thermostatic valve set)... and they will look a lot better too! If you do keep your hot water tank, make sure it is properly lagged to keep the heat in - always nice to have warm airing cupboard, but it's costing you money! Having said ALL that, getting a combi allows you to get rid of the HW tank and gain extra cupboard/room space. Decisions, decisions.

You're already going down the right road by getting 3-4 quotes, I'd suggest getting quotes from local & nationwide firms such as British Gas Boilers http://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/british-gas-boilers.html . you'll than have a good feel of the price range and type of boiler to fit. It's been law to fit condensing boilers since 2005 and modern ones are pretty reliable and very efficient. You don't have to fit a combi and if water pressure is low then it would not be a good option, it sounds like you've already got a conventional boiler so replacing that would probably be the best choice. Worcester Bosch and Baxi are good brands. Corgi are there for your safety so make sure any firm is Corgi registered and check their validity at the Corgi Website http://www.trustcorgi.com

Corgi and "sold down the river" are part of the same package. All a big con. Just glad I fitted my own before the laws for muppets came out. Personally I'd keep the the hot water tank if you can, just get a normal new condensing boiler rather than a combi. When you see the hot water flow rate of a combi you'll understand. Is it viable, a new boiler fitted will cost upto £2000, I doubt very much it would save anywhere near £100 a year in bills, and apparently they have a life span of 10yrs. Global warmings a government lie to raise taxes, pump out them emissions with the old boiler until it packs in for good.

Condensing combi's are a good move imo, much more efficient in the long run. Go for a decent brand and ask the ppl providing the quotes what each model they recommend is like for them to work on and how they rate them. Worcester (Bosh) boilers were recommended to me and the one I had installed works a treat. You'll notice a lot of water vapour coming from the vent on the outside of your property but this is normal. you'll may need some Thermostatic valves added to some radiators and you might want to upgrade your controller to a digital one if you don't already have one installed. I basically got all of that plus installation for £2000

The best boilers are Worcester Bosch. No need for new radiators. When the boiler is installed the sytem will have to be flushed anyways. I would not be looking to pay more than £1500.00 for the boiler and installation.

Can't add much as previous answers contain good sense esp. Worcester Bosch boilers which British Gas always recommend. You could try and find an ex British Gas fitter who would love to undercut his old firm! They are out there. Also if you are reasonable at DIY there is absolutely nothing in law to stop you buying your own boiler (shop around hard) and installing it yourself. HOWEVER you MUST NOT connect the gas supply or the flue. Only a CORGI man can do this. You can make hefty savings doing the rest yourself. All the guidance is out there. Start with DIY stores (eg.Wickes) 'how to' leaflets, and read up on it. It is not rocket science as they say. If you can't solder there are push fit pipe fittings in copper these days. Good luck.

As a Gas Engineer,this is what we must look for: New boilers must now be high efficiency unless there is a very good reason why this isn't possible(h/e boilers have a condensing pipe which must terminate into a waste or a purpose built lime pit,also when the boiler is on the flue will have a plume comming from it which can dictate it's position), these factors are very important when looking for the new boiler position. When the work is carried out, we must flush the system through with chemicals and upon the final fill up,we must apply an inhibiting chemical. We also have to abide by the new 'interlock' rule which means even though you may have t/static radiator valves,you must also have a room t/stat (the boiler must have an electrical means of t/static isolation). I new boiler installed onto your existing system could create just as much expense as just getting good system update done.. My advice is to get several quotes....I MEAN SEVERAL.. I'm an ex British gas engineer and this is an example: British Gas Quote for Updating system,installing new boiler and bringing everything up to standard ..approx £5600 Your trustworthy qualified engineer from down the road to do the same job..approx £3200 Trust me ...SHOP AROUND

Sorry about the format and the tone; it's just how it came out. Just my thoughts & experiences. I'm not a fan of combi boilers, but then I live in a hard water area. I've heared of too many people told that they need a new combi boiler after 7 years of service. If you go for a system boiler have a sealed system not open vented. Consider an unvented hot water cylinder ( Dependant on mains water pressure and flow )You can put them anywhere A one day Power flush will not remove hard magnatite scale from the inside of copper pipe. It can take 7 to 14 days using Fernox DS 40. Corrosion inhibitors do not stop corrosion is central heating systems completely, they only reduce it.

My plumber told me today to replace a Worcester 28 CDI with a similar condensing type,£1400. The Worcester is reputed to be the best and the 28CDI i is(was) one of their most powerfull boilers. A Power flush is free with new installation or around £250 without. The Gas Board wanted £400, 7 yrs. ago.