Boiler Question

We had a similar problem, it was the joints between the cast sections leaking and making the pilot damp, I needed to use a blow lamp to light it !! If I kept the boiler warm all the time then the pilot kept dry and did not go out!! A replacement wall hung condensing boiler with minimal pipe alterations came out at just shy of =A32000 fitted. Steve

Unless you can claim exemptions, you will probably need to replace it with a condensing boiler, which will need a condensate drain. You may also need to update your controls eg thermostatic valves on radiators. You will have to make a Building Regs application for this work under Part L - energy efficiency.

You are allowed to do your own gas work provided you are "competent".

Owain

Thanks both,

Ed.

What exceptions could you claim to fit a Combi boiler? A chap I was working for today wants a new boiler, but definitely wants a combi rather than a condensing. Ta Alan.

I think you're confusing the terminology somewhat! Combi and Condensing are not mutually exclusive.

A Combi boiler has a facility for heating the domestic hot water in (near) real time rather than storing it, as well as heating the CH radiators. A Conventional boiler has only one primary circuit (which can be zoned into DHW plus one or more CH zones) and is used to provide *stored* DHW plus CH.

Either can be condensing or non-condensing. Only condensing boilers meet the latest energy efficiency requirements. To be allowed to fit a non-condensing boiler, you have to show that it is not feasible to fit a condensing boiler - usually because of no access to a suitable outside wall, needed for the condensate drain.

The chap you mention should be able to have a condensing combi boiler.

You, and he, confuse condensing and combi.

Any new boiler will probably have to be a condensing boiler, which is simply a more efficient type of combusion technology.

Whether it is combi (instantaneous hot water) or used with a stored hot water system is irrelevant.

Owain

Oh, right, he wants a combi to save on keeping a cylinder full of hot water, which will lose its heat during the day, so the heat will need to go on when he gets home to get it hot again. I had misunderstood the regs, and had assumed that condensing boilers were all the 'stored hot water' type, rather than included the instant combi boilers. Alan.

A well insulated cylinder should keep the water toasty hot for, ooh, 3 days?

Owain

Indeed so. Any greater heat loss would not be compliant with building regs. Insulating the pipes nearby is a significant part of getting this right.

I can confirm. I've just had my 28-year old boiler replaced with a new, condensing boiler, which feeds my central heating and stored hot water tank.

Cost about 1200 pounds.

-- JGH

A properly insulated cylinder will retain hot water for far more than the working day.