am in the process of deciding which type of boiler to replace my existing conventional boiler as it is 20 plus years old,it has served me well over the years but because of its age it is now not very economical to run are there any disadvantages and advantages verses both types of boiler ie the installation and running of each of them,i live in the uk and have the british gas home care contract on my existing boiler and heating system but don't want any sales pitch from them,just want an independent point of view, any of your experiences with british gas boiler sales and installation would be very welcome
A combi boiler is probably the cheapest replacement method as your conventional system will almost certainly require some expensive alterations to bring it in line with todays Building Regulations which is a mandatory requirement The combi system or any other for that matter would require the valves to be thermostatic on the radiators except one and in that room a room thermostat would have to be fitted(unless of course you already have them). The hot water cylinder will need to be replaced with a high efficiency one and they are several hundred pounds without fitting. As has been stated you will get all the hot water you need at the turn of a tap but do get a good boiler. I personally favour Baxi, Glowworm,Potterton and Worcester Bosch but there are others. Do yourself a big favour and get 3/4 prices inc BG if you wish and you will see a huge price difference between BG and any others although I understand BG are lowering theirs and their systems are no better or worse than any reputable independent installer. Get recommendations from friends if you can rather than just picking from the directory.
with a combi you have unlimited hot water,ask how many litre per minute you get,don't get a cheap boiler,ask the make they are going to install after you get the quote,heating gets hot faster,everything is located inside the boiler,conventional,another place for h/w cylinder/pump/comtrols/water tanks and pipes(which need insulation),so you gain space with a combi,put a small rad in airing cupboard,if your existing system is gravity and pumped you will have to chang it to a fully pumped system which means ripping out the 1 pipes from the boiler to the cylinder,if you have a big family,go for combi which can be fitted anywhere on a outside wall,even the attic,if there are only 1 or 2 of you and you don't need a little bit more space go for conventional
