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[Tresvant]

Hi

Need to replace my out of date boiler system with a combi boiler. I obviously will be getting someone in to fit it but i am trying to save a few pennys by sourcing the boiler myself.
I am after a condensing combi boiler but have no idea whats good and whats not. I am running 10 radiators of it and when i get round to having my bathroom done i would want a mixer type shower rather than the electric one i got now.
If anyone has one they reccomend then any hints and advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
Steve  

[Marks DTM Calib]

An Alpha boiler is about the best out there althouhg you should also get the mounting unit to get the longer warranty.

Dont forget this option to (magic boiler scheme at the bottom of the page):

http://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/doc.asp?cat=9651&doc=4760

They send you to PTS which is near Nixon Knowles timber yard.

[Tresvant]

Cheers Mark

How does that scheme work then do i have to fill out an application form and also do i have to be in rushcliffe, not that i ever was but now i have moved to Hucknall i am in Ashfield district council?

thanks again for you advice

[TheBoy]

can't help with the schemes, but know there are government backed grants.

I just don't like combis - never  come across a good wall mounted one yet...

[Marks DTM Calib]

Ashfield do the same

http://www.derby.gov.uk/Housing/Derby+Home+Energy+Advice+Service/Homeenergyenergygrantsandscheme.htm

Note the website is down this weekend.

The form is normaly dead easy to do.

And if going for a Combi (if you really have to) then you want a water heating capability of 100,000Btu or more

The Alpha boiler have a few key advantages such as stainless steel heat exchangers and the extended warranty setup (assuming you use the wall mount.)

[Andy B]

......heating capability of 100,000Btu or more
 .....

More imperial units eh Mark??        

[Pitchfork]

Been married to an old boiler for 38 years now!

[Debs.]

Been married to an old boiler for 38 years now!

  So you`re not the first OOF`er who`s had trouble with their old boiler!

[Marks DTM Calib]

......heating capability of 100,000Btu or more
 .....

More imperial units eh Mark??        

I personally work in Kw, but the info in the magic boiler scheme is still i old Btu's

[theowletman]

We have a Baxi Duo-Tec Combi. Been in 2 years, never gone wrong ( shouldn't have said that ) and it has definitely reduced our gas bill. My pal who has his own heating business says that the Baxi would be his first choice, that might be something to do with the free golf trips though for buying so many!!!!!!!! Seriously ours is great.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Baxi are not what they used to be sadly.....would not get my recommendation any more.

[Kevin Wood]

Problem is, gas installers seem to have their favourite brands of boiler and won't touch anything else. Bizarre really. You don't get many mechanics who will only touch Fords.

So, you can either find an installer who you trust and go with his recommendation on boiler or vice versa.

That reminds me. Found our boiler belting heat into the bypass loop and 2 towel rails yesterday. Think one of the servo valves has a sticky microswitch.

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Problem is, gas installers seem to have their favourite brands of boiler and won't touch anything else. Bizarre really. You don't get many mechanics who will only touch Fords.

So, you can either find an installer who you trust and go with his recommendation on boiler or vice versa.

That reminds me. Found our boiler belting heat into the bypass loop and 2 towel rails yesterday. Think one of the servo valves has a sticky microswitch.

Kevin

More likely to be that plumbers are simple folk and once they work out how to install a particular boiler type, they cant move away from it!

[Pitchfork]

Problem is, gas installers seem to have their favourite brands of boiler and won't touch anything else. Bizarre really. You don't get many mechanics who will only touch Fords.

So, you can either find an installer who you trust and go with his recommendation on boiler or vice versa.

That reminds me. Found our boiler belting heat into the bypass loop and 2 towel rails yesterday. Think one of the servo valves has a sticky microswitch.

Kevin

I get a similar problem from time to time when the Satchwell servo 'T' valve that switches the boiler output from heating to hot water sticks & the radiators get hot on when only the water should be heating.
On the 1st occassion I had no idea what was ausing the problem & called in a Plumber. He fixed it by squirting WD40 on the valve shaft & charged me £70. Luckily I was watching what he did & now can fix the problem whenever it reoccurs

[Kevin Wood]

More likely to be that plumbers are simple folk and once they work out how to install a particular boiler type, they cant move away from it!

My thoughts exactly. Although I did eventually find a decent one for that particular job (which involved converting a boiler from LPG to Nat Gas in addition to installation - so was really challenging! ).

Luckily he was fluent in French because there was a step missing from the English instructions for fitting the conversion kit.

Most of the "professionals" I phoned were clearly only fluent in grunts and obscenities.

Kevin