I don't think anyone anywhere has much long term experience of condensing
boilers, maybe the Scandinavians? These boilers really have only started
gaining popularity here since the late 90's.
I first fitted condensing boilers as part of a British Gas test project in
the west central Scotland area in the early 80's while contracting to them
at the time. The boilers came in from Ireland, long forgotten the make, but
they used 2 seperate 40mm Mupvc waste pipes for the exhaust and intake. The
layout of the boilers were kind of similar to Kestons are now. At the time
no one had much of a clue about them and they were prone to going off
balance if they weren't handled with care when fitting whereby an Irish guy
had to jump on a plane and come and fix them! Haven't a clue how long they
lasted or performed but it wasn't until the 2000's British Gas started
really pushing condensing's.
Things have no doubt developed a lot on condensing boilers since then. Some
of the earlier boilers were probably badly designed (in an attempt to jump
on the wagon) and probably did have a shorter lifespan compared to the
traditional type of boiler, but they are "allegedly" better now.
I've fitted them personally, usually on request from "switched on" customers
or architects playing with their SAP figures, for around 4 or 5 years now
and never really had any serious problems.
Their lifespan now will, according to any manufacturer you speak to, be "
similar or maybe only slightly less" than any other boiler type if they are
correctly fitted and maintained. We will have to wait and see! 10 years?
Long gone are the days of the cast iron boiler which would run for ever if
properly maintained, and where the only thing to break down was a gas valve
or solenoid, a thermostat or change a thermocouple.
I don,t agree with the powers that be where every boiler fitted must be
condensing, very few exceptions. But who are we to disagree? Mere tradesmen.
People are very aware of condensing boilers and energy efficiency now from
all the press coverage and stuff, but no one mentions that the slight
savings in energy consumption, only around £40/year compared to a similar
low water content boiler will be outweighed by increased initial costs and
increased service and maintainance costs and perhaps shorter lifespan. Thats
perhaps why the Government, as way of an incentive were offering £100 cash
back for the customer who had one fitted and there is now the "Magic Boiler
Scheme" subsidising prices to installers.
Btw as yet the new regulations don't apply in Scotland, though that will
change next year. In the meantime there will be some good deals to be had
here this year on standard efficiency boilers as the manufacturers ofload
their "dead" stock!
Tam