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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

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    • CommentAuthorPaul_B
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     
    Our current boiler is starting to play up, I keep having to reset it
    as it fails to run when required. I know it is a particuliarly bad
    model as it has been on Watchdog, Potterton Suprima. In addition it
    is non-condensing and the Energy Saving Trust state efficiency of
    ~75%.

    So I am likely to replace it in the next few years, but this posses
    some questions:

    - Should I go the whole hog and change to an unvented system (what
    are the benefits?)

    - In the future I plan to install solar panels for hot-water and
    also a wood pellet stove for the front room with a small back-
    boiler. Therefore, the gas boiler will then become secodary heating
    source just providing top-up to the renewable heating supplies. But
    I need a system that can cope with this more complex setup.

    - Any recommendations on manufacturer? I am thinking Viessmann as
    they seem to have a good approach, German engineering and have good
    controls and integrated with their own solar system. But I have also
    been recommended Worcester Bosch and Baxi.

    Any thoughts, comments would be appreciated.

    Paul
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     
    Sounds to me like it is not the boiler that is the problem but the pipework.

    You may very well need a bigger by-pass circuit to stop the overheat thermostat cutting out?
    •  
      CommentAuthornigel
    • CommentTimeNov 1st 2007
     
    viessmann and vaillant are the best.

    Above all make sure you get one with a stainless steel heat exchanger.
  1.  
    I had a Worcester-Bosch 24i fitted 2yrs ago its anniversary is next week and I have got to get in touch with the service department asap.

    There service team have been excellent, One modification was a replacement plug on the condensate drain.

    After that I will be able to tell U cost of maintenance for future years.

    The one fault is that they are unprepared to change service schedules for people with solar panels, which was installed 14 months ago, obviously the boiler will not have run for the normal amount of hours.

    does any company have that perspective in there thinking, especially if you do go ahead << with a wood pellet stove for the front room with a small back-boiler. Therefore, the gas boiler will then become secodary heating >>

    Worcester- Bosch also have a solar panel that they sell. I wonder if they have altered anything ? in units that were fitted by them or recommended by them.

    the savings I have made since fitting the Boiler + changing shower to hot water, Solar Panel and a wood burning stove in front room. has been considerable. Arnold
  2.  
    Have you considered whether a boiler is really necessary if you install solar and a wood stove with back boiler? You might be better considering spending the money on insulation and draft proofing and doing away with the boiler altogether. You have to consider what gas is going to be costing in 10 years time and how reliable the supply situation will be.
    • CommentAuthorPaul_B
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007
     
    Chris,

    You are absolutely correct in a idle world I would do this. However, I have to compromise on funds, time and immediate problems. The solar solution is probably 3 years off, the pellet stove around the same period. I have an immediate problem and an inefficient boiler.

    I am going around the house improving insulation and draft proofing skirting-boards, windows, doors, fitting heavy curtains at the front door and back doors. I'm even considering external insulation with additional research. But unfortunately this will take time and money.

    Paul
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2007
     
    In my opinion it is uneconomic to replace your boiler and serious efforts should be made to fix its problem. A new condensing boiler,syetem flush and a installation costs will not pay for themselves in a heck of a long period of time from the savings over what you already have.
  3.  
    The boiler problem might not be as bad as you think and you might not gain much in efficiency terms with a condensing boiler unless you replace all your rads with bigger ones. This could be a waste of money if untimately you want to go down the route of insulating to very high standards so the central heating becomes redundant. You've got to look at getting it fixed first of all I would think.
    • CommentAuthorPaul_B
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2007
     
    Thanks for all the advice. I take your point and I have found a fault finding guide for the current boiler so I'll have a read through it and see what goes.

    I'll start a new thread on where to start on improving insulation and draught-proofing a ten-year old house.

    Paul
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