Green Building Forum - Boiler woes

Boiler woes

Paul_B — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:54:10 +0000

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

Boiler woes

tony — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:15:47 +0000

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?

Boiler woes

nigel — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:03:50 +0000

viessmann and vaillant are the best.

Above all make sure you get one with a stainless steel heat exchanger.

Boiler woes

Solar bore — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 06:33:39 +0000

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

Boiler woes

Chris Wardle — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:17:39 +0000

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.

Boiler woes

Paul_B — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:34:38 +0000

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

Boiler woes

tony — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:57:53 +0000

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.

Boiler woes

Chris Wardle — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:31:51 +0000

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.

Boiler woes

Paul_B — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:04:08 +0000

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