Anyone on here a gas fitter/plumber

[Mr-shifter]

Evening Chaps.

I have just moved into a new house and had the boiler serviced. I have been advised it needs replacing and been quoted for a new boiler. I have had a second quote, and the second plumber has suggested that I change the heating system.

I currently have a boiler, hot water cylinder and a couple of header tanks in the loft. Quote one is for a like for like boiler. Quote two suggested removing the boiler and water cylinder and go to a combo boiler or a vented cylinder system. I was of the opinion with two bathrooms/four bedrooms a combi system wouldn't be man enough to deal with it, but the second plumber tested the water pressure and flow rate and seems to think with 4 bar mains pressure and 20l/min flow rate on the cold tap that should be ample.

Another point he made is that the house is 15 years old, so the boiler would have been installed from new. Although the hot water cylinder is ok at the moment it is also 15 years old, as would be the diverter valve and central heating pump and they would need replacing at some point. If I change the heating system now then they will be gone as will future issues.

If anyone is still reading I would be interested in knowing your opinion on this.

Ta

 

[Frunkstar]

If you get a combi (IMO your best bet) make sure you don't skimp, the cheap ones are rubbish & your loose anything you save buying it on repairs, the Worcester Bosh are pretty good, if not going combi boiler, make sure you put the biggest water tank you can in & make sure its very well insulated, I put a solid fuel burner & heating system in the last place (vented) & put a 200 litre tank in, no more arguments about who gets a bath when, a great + with 3 kids & 3 women in the house :lol:

Sadly no mains gas where I am or I'd have a combi again, hot water instantly is a blessing

 

[Mr-shifter]

Thanks frank.

Plumber no 1 uses Worcester Bosch boilers. Plumber no 2 is a vaillant master fitter so if I get a vaillant boiler fitted by them the warranty will be increased to ten years. He also said the key difference in construction was the heat exchanger on a Worcester was aluminium and on the vaillant it was stainless so would be less likely to corrode.

Just got to wait for the quote now and see where we are. I quite like the idea of a combi as I would get back quite a bit of loft space and the whole airing cupboard. I was just a bit worried that in winter we would have the heating on and I would try to have a shower whilst the misses is using a tap and the boiler would struggle. Plumber 2 has recommended a 37kw boiler so it's a bit of a beast by all accounts.

 

[plantman]

There is nothing wrong with a vented system mate, if you get a decent replacement system boiler its going to be a lot cheaper, you also have the option of heating your tank with electricity immersion if you ever have issues.

If you get some free solar panel on the government scheme you can heat your water for free with the immersion too.

Also make sure they install a magnaclean or something similar, flush the system and it will be as good as new.