Boiler advice

[Wildfire]

Ah, no probs Tim, if you were south I could recommend someone.

 

[Havard]

Harvard and jeeper thanks so much for the advice

In terms of gas boilers themselves (non combi) what is the realistic life expectancy? or do they just keep on going until there is a part that fails that isn't available anymore? I can't believe what the Britsh Gas chappie said about my 14 year old Gloworm that serviceable parts are no longer available, it all smacks of sales patter all the time. I keep being told 10 years by people who fit them which to me doesn't seem a long time. I know there is the efficiency side of it and the temptation to change purely to have a more economical boiler but then its like any goods, fridges/washing machines/cars etc you would need to change them every year to keep ontop the technology and to have the latest in efficiency.

I'm starting to think like Harvard says if it aint broke don't fix it and if it does konk out its what a couple of days to fit a replacement.

There is also the new M135i fund to be thinking of :lol:

Tim.

For a system only boiler (more reliable than combis), I would have thought the boiler would be about a grand for a Vaillant (30Kw) which will do a decent 4 bed house. Fitting should be sub £500 unless there were many adaptions needed.

Considering it is not a combi and it has only had one problem in 14 years, the 235i would be my priority.... Parts are always available from independent merchants. My business partner runs a heating spares business so we could test the theory if needed.

One of my mates had an old Baxi that was 25 years old. His gas bills were probably a couple of hundred quid higher than he would have like PA. The thing had never had any parts since new just serviced once a year. He was advised that parts were in short supply (true at 35 years old). He ripped it out and went for another Baxi boiler and has had nothing but problems, days off work waiting for engineers, heating off regularly and used a load of leccy using his immersion heater every day with 4 kids.

I would just prepare yourself for getting another boiler, get a budget price and wait. Assuming the supplier has the boiler in stock and you get a decent plumber then a couple of days is not a big issue in the general scheme of things.

H.

 

[TitanTim]

Harvard and jeeper thanks so much for the advice

In terms of gas boilers themselves (non combi) what is the realistic life expectancy? or do they just keep on going until there is a part that fails that isn't available anymore? I can't believe what the Britsh Gas chappie said about my 14 year old Gloworm that serviceable parts are no longer available, it all smacks of sales patter all the time. I keep being told 10 years by people who fit them which to me doesn't seem a long time. I know there is the efficiency side of it and the temptation to change purely to have a more economical boiler but then its like any goods, fridges/washing machines/cars etc you would need to change them every year to keep ontop the technology and to have the latest in efficiency.

I'm starting to think like Harvard says if it aint broke don't fix it and if it does konk out its what a couple of days to fit a replacement.

There is also the new M135i fund to be thinking of :lol:

Tim.

For a system only boiler (more reliable than combis), I would have thought the boiler would be about a grand for a Vaillant (30Kw) which will do a decent 4 bed house. Fitting should be sub £500 unless there were many adaptions needed.

Considering it is not a combi and it has only had one problem in 14 years, the 235i would be my priority.... Parts are always available from independent merchants. My business partner runs a heating spares business so we could test the theory if needed.

One of my mates had an old Baxi that was 25 years old. His gas bills were probably a couple of hundred quid higher than he would have like PA. The thing had never had any parts since new just serviced once a year. He was advised that parts were in short supply (true at 35 years old). He ripped it out and went for another Baxi boiler and has had nothing but problems, days off work waiting for engineers, heating off regularly and used a load of leccy using his immersion heater every day with 4 kids.

I would just prepare yourself for getting another boiler, get a budget price and wait. Assuming the supplier has the boiler in stock and you get a decent plumber then a couple of days is not a big issue in the general scheme of things.

H.

Thanks H. Really helpful, after all that and discussion with her who keeps the purse strings we've decided to keep some monies by us for a rainy day boiler as and when needed. I think the fact that the current boiler is at the moment running perfectly touch wood and has done pretty much since new apart from a replacement fan it seems a little unecessary. We had the boiler fitted on 9/11 day by British Gas and when I got home from work the 2 fitters were sitting on the sofa watching events unfolding at the World Trade Centre crying :? It was a little bizzare at the time. We did have problems with the boiler from the start as the PCB board kept failing which was a problem with the Gloworms at the time but once sorted its been fine so just goes to show with new boilers.

Tim.

 

[Havard]

Harvard and jeeper thanks so much for the advice

In terms of gas boilers themselves (non combi) what is the realistic life expectancy? or do they just keep on going until there is a part that fails that isn't available anymore? I can't believe what the Britsh Gas chappie said about my 14 year old Gloworm that serviceable parts are no longer available, it all smacks of sales patter all the time. I keep being told 10 years by people who fit them which to me doesn't seem a long time. I know there is the efficiency side of it and the temptation to change purely to have a more economical boiler but then its like any goods, fridges/washing machines/cars etc you would need to change them every year to keep ontop the technology and to have the latest in efficiency.

I'm starting to think like Harvard says if it aint broke don't fix it and if it does konk out its what a couple of days to fit a replacement.

There is also the new M135i fund to be thinking of :lol:

Tim.

For a system only boiler (more reliable than combis), I would have thought the boiler would be about a grand for a Vaillant (30Kw) which will do a decent 4 bed house. Fitting should be sub £500 unless there were many adaptions needed.

Considering it is not a combi and it has only had one problem in 14 years, the 235i would be my priority.... Parts are always available from independent merchants. My business partner runs a heating spares business so we could test the theory if needed.

One of my mates had an old Baxi that was 25 years old. His gas bills were probably a couple of hundred quid higher than he would have like PA. The thing had never had any parts since new just serviced once a year. He was advised that parts were in short supply (true at 35 years old). He ripped it out and went for another Baxi boiler and has had nothing but problems, days off work waiting for engineers, heating off regularly and used a load of leccy using his immersion heater every day with 4 kids.

I would just prepare yourself for getting another boiler, get a budget price and wait. Assuming the supplier has the boiler in stock and you get a decent plumber then a couple of days is not a big issue in the general scheme of things.

H.

Thanks H. Really helpful, after all that and discussion with her who keeps the purse strings we've decided to keep some monies by us for a rainy day boiler as and when needed. I think the fact that the current boiler is at the moment running perfectly touch wood and has done pretty much since new apart from a replacement fan it seems a little unecessary. We had the boiler fitted on 9/11 day by British Gas and when I got home from work the 2 fitters were sitting on the sofa watching events unfolding at the World Trade Centre crying :? It was a little bizzare at the time. We did have problems with the boiler from the start as the PCB board kept failing which was a problem with the Gloworms at the time but once sorted its been fine so just goes to show with new boilers.

Tim.

It's good you can remember when you got the boiler. 9/11 day is something that we will all remember..

I have had 4 boilers in our current house, (16 years) and I can't remember the purchase dates of any of them. We have not had good luck with boilers and getting a good deal from the rep or knowing someone in the trade can have it's drawbacks.

We have picked some awful boilers looking back. The worst was an Ideal Response that lasted less than 4 years. Currently got a 2 year old Biasi which has a 5 year warranty. Been good so far but watch this space..... :roll:

H.

 

[TitanTim]

For a system only boiler (more reliable than combis), I would have thought the boiler would be about a grand for a Vaillant (30Kw) which will do a decent 4 bed house. Fitting should be sub £500 unless there were many adaptions needed.

Considering it is not a combi and it has only had one problem in 14 years, the 235i would be my priority.... Parts are always available from independent merchants. My business partner runs a heating spares business so we could test the theory if needed.

One of my mates had an old Baxi that was 25 years old. His gas bills were probably a couple of hundred quid higher than he would have like PA. The thing had never had any parts since new just serviced once a year. He was advised that parts were in short supply (true at 35 years old). He ripped it out and went for another Baxi boiler and has had nothing but problems, days off work waiting for engineers, heating off regularly and used a load of leccy using his immersion heater every day with 4 kids.

I would just prepare yourself for getting another boiler, get a budget price and wait. Assuming the supplier has the boiler in stock and you get a decent plumber then a couple of days is not a big issue in the general scheme of things.

H.

Thanks H. Really helpful, after all that and discussion with her who keeps the purse strings we've decided to keep some monies by us for a rainy day boiler as and when needed. I think the fact that the current boiler is at the moment running perfectly touch wood and has done pretty much since new apart from a replacement fan it seems a little unecessary. We had the boiler fitted on 9/11 day by British Gas and when I got home from work the 2 fitters were sitting on the sofa watching events unfolding at the World Trade Centre crying :? It was a little bizzare at the time. We did have problems with the boiler from the start as the PCB board kept failing which was a problem with the Gloworms at the time but once sorted its been fine so just goes to show with new boilers.

Tim.

It's good you can remember when you got the boiler. 9/11 day is something that we will all remember..

I have had 4 boilers in our current house, (16 years) and I can't remember the purchase dates of any of them. We have not had good luck with boilers and getting a good deal from the rep or knowing someone in the trade can have it's drawbacks.

We have picked some awful boilers looking back. The worst was an Ideal Response that lasted less than 4 years. Currently got a 2 year old Biasi which has a 5 year warranty. Been good so far but watch this space..... :roll:

H.

Blimey 4 boilers in 16 years so averaging one every 4 years or so, I don't know what I'm worrying about now

I doubt I would normally remember but will never forget those two guys faces as they were watching events unfolding that day

Tim.

 

[sunnchipie]

The trick is to actually get a plumber - doesnt sound like the 2 blokes you got in were plumbers?! Why would you need 2 to change some taps.....
I wouldn't touch BG. Get 2 or 3 quotes and go with the one you like best. BG will probably use a contractor anyhow and cream half of the money profit.
Besides I wouldn't bother changing you boiler if need be - stick to the one you've got, especially if you've already spent a wedge on it.

 

[Juiceloose]

Tim,

As everybody has said, stick with you existing boiler until it fails. There is far less that can go wrong with it than a modern condensing boiler.

When you do have it replaced you will need to factor in a larger diameter gas pipe to feed the new boiler and how easy it is to route it from the meter. I'd hazard a guess that your current feed is 15mm when modern boilers now need 22mm and in some cases 28mm.

I used to work for BG and still have mates that do and the mark up they apply us horrendous. Use a recommended local installer when you do come to replace it.

 

[TitanTim]

Tim,

As everybody has said, stick with you existing boiler until it fails. There is far less that can go wrong with it than a modern condensing boiler.

When you do have it replaced you will need to factor in a larger diameter gas pipe to feed the new boiler and how easy it is to route it from the meter. I'd hazard a guess that your current feed is 15mm when modern boilers now need 22mm and in some cases 28mm.

I used to work for BG and still have mates that do and the mark up they apply us horrendous. Use a recommended local installer when you do come to replace it.

Many thanks for the advice

The gas feed pipe from the meter into the boiler cupboard is 22mm but then goes to what looks like as you say 15mm so would be easy to fit a new length of pipe when the time comes.

Its great to have some feedback especially from those in the know as it sounds like I'm just better off in the main sticking to what I have and only change when I really need too, afterall I could be spending upto 2K on something that at the moment wouldn't really be providing any real benefit except burning a little less gas.

Thank you,

Tim.

 

[TitanTim]

The trick is to actually get a plumber - doesnt sound like the 2 blokes you got in were plumbers?! Why would you need 2 to change some taps.....
I wouldn't touch BG. Get 2 or 3 quotes and go with the one you like best. BG will probably use a contractor anyhow and cream half of the money profit.
Besides I wouldn't bother changing you boiler if need be - stick to the one you've got, especially if you've already spent a wedge on it.

Cheers for that, the two guys were apparently registered plumbers although don't know why they both turned up. They smashed the washbasin as apparently they couldn't remove the tap handle so tried to drill the retaining screw out lol and dropped the drill into the basin

Never again. :x

Tim.

 

[dr_john]

Quote to replace my Worcester Bosch came through from BG today, they want £2527 for a straight replacement. This is, I think, about £1000 too much after looking at the websites of local reputable companies.

The BG tech who initially mentioned this to me said 'about £2k', a bit of a difference.

My current boiler is working OK at present, I'll stick with it for another year or two.