MikeR
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 08:25 PM |
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Replacing a boiler - why does everyone say something different?
I'm replacing my existing boiler with a combi boiler. I thought i was being sensible getting a few quotes. Problem is everyone is telling me
something different.
So .... what do you guys think?
I've heard that I want to get a "proper" make boiler so its more reliable and possible to get parts. I've been quoted on a
vassenman and a ???? Neither i've heard of. Can anyone recommend a boiler and why have you got this recommendation?
I've heard that you want to get a water filter fitted to the central heating system, one guy doesn't seem to think its necessary.
I've heard you need the existing system cleaning out prior to fitment. This is best done via a special pump unit put in place of your existing
pump. One guy wasn't going to bother, one didn't mention it but seemed to do it for a couple of hours on a neighbours system.
I've heard that most problems are caused by a bodged job by the fitter and not bad boilers (hence concerns over the cleanliness of the existing
pipes / radiators).
One bloke claimed that you need 28mm gas pipe, the others say 22mm will be fine.
(at least all have quoted for 28 to 30kw boiler!)
All blokes want to fit a 1.8m tall radiator to the plasterboard wall without adding any additional bracing (i'd have expected some noggings
adding). Seems too much weight to me.
One of the guys isn't part p qualified, he said he'd get his mate to certify the work so it didn't need building control
notification. This seemed 'worrying' to me.
Thoughts? What should i make sure they do / don't do / check / ask for?
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blakep82
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 08:29 PM |
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last year we got a combi boiler installed by british gas,
worcester bosch boiler, got a water filter on it, needed new gas pipe run into the house, so i guess must have been bigger bore. don't know
about flushing out the system, but makes sense if you're going to filter water coming in, you don't want loads of crap hanging about
inside the system
no expert, thats just what they did to mine
________________________
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don't write OT on a new thread title, you're creating the topic, everything you write is very much ON topic!
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skinned knuckles
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 08:37 PM |
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i always recommend worcester boilers. never let me down in the past and i have fitted over 30 of them.
i wouldn't worry about someone else certing the work done by others. if anything was done below regulation standard and there was a problem
caused by the install then the bloke who signed it off could very well end up behind bars. i wasn't corgi registered but a friend was so before
anything was turned on he checked everything out thoroughly, then cirtified the install. this is not to different to a plumber using an unqualified
assistant.
you are best off having a thorough flush of your system before attaching a new boiler
a 1.8 m rad is fine to put onto a plasterboard wall so long as proper plasterboard fixings are used to mount the brackets. hopefully the fitter can
find a stud just to be on the safe side.
22mm gas pipe is fine for a domestic boiler in a domestic setting as the boiler is never that far from the meter for the flow of gas to be restrictive
to the combustion process. in a commercial setting with a big mo-fo boiler you would probably want to go up in size.
A man isn't complete until he's married, then he's finished
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eccsmk
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 08:40 PM |
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boilers we fit are remeha and intergas
mainly because they are cheap to buy and (touch wood) have been problem free.
also we always powerflush all heating systems before fitting a new boiler to stop the black sudge you see (if you remove a radiator) from blocking the
heater exchanger
also adding a magnaclean filter to the return pipework helps the boiler stay clean inside for longer
if you get stuck feel free to u2u me and i'll do my best to help out
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daniel mason
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 08:43 PM |
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all plumbers we work with fit and swear by vaillant! not cheap though.
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BenB
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 09:08 PM |
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I've just installed my own Bosch 30cdi. Got a gas man to fit a nice 28mm pipe. Bosch say a 22mm would have been fine (though depends on the run)
but Mr Gas said 28mm is better just in case anyone ever fancies fitting a bigger boiler or taking a feed off for a gas hob. PartP is different because
that's electric....
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big-vee-twin
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 09:23 PM |
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Worcester Bosch
Viessmann
Ideal
Potterton
Baxi
Hoval
Alpha
All good boilers, definately flush system out before fitting.
Part P covers electrics as already said
You need to use a gas safe registered fitter not Corgi as the scheme doesn't exist anymore
Duratec Engine is fitted, MS2 Extra V3 is assembled and tested, engine running, car now built. IVA passed 26/02/2016
http://www.triangleltd.com
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Toltec
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 09:35 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by eccsmk
boilers we fit are remeha and intergas
mainly because they are cheap to buy and (touch wood) have been problem free.
Heard good things of both, I was interested in getting an Intergas a couple of months ago, but the local fitter their tech support gave me contact
details for never found time to come and give me a quote. Ended up going for an Alpha cd28c with the extra pack -
http://www.alpha-innovation.co.uk/products/?id=1075
not cheap, but factor in the warranty and it was a no brainer for a rental property when I could also claim back £400 from the scrappage scheme. I
also have a four year old CD50 in my own house, there was a problem with the divertor valve, but this was fixed under warranty - even though it was
probably down to not having a filter.
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Stott
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| posted on 4/5/10 at 09:39 PM |
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MikeR you have U2U
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davestarck
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 04:59 AM |
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Part 'P' does cover the electrics correct. The plumber will be wiring the new boiler to the mains, which then needs testing and
certificating. He cannot get someone else to sign off his work. I am a Part 'P' approved electrician!!
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r1_pete
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 07:00 AM |
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I fitted a Vaillant 831 (I think that was the model) about 30% more expensive than the others, but was assured by a mate in the trade it was worth it.
Fitted a Baxi in the daughters house 3 years ago - best she could afford, been trouble free to date.
[Edited on 5/5/10 by r1_pete]
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iank
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 07:12 AM |
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Had a Vaillant fitted last year, no problems to report and they have a very good reputation.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 07:51 AM |
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We have a Baxi combi boiler - been nothing but trouble since installed. Fortunately we have a service contract on it with D&G (Baxi technicians do
the work) as the maintenance bods have been called out several times every year.
I reckon that D&G will try and buy us out if it carries on - at which point we'll install a Vaillant or Worcester-Bosch.
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jossey
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 10:07 AM |
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there is a few things to consider.
do you want a power shower or themostatic shower.
what is your flow rate
what is you pressure.
this gives you an idea on what to get.
the Worcester Bosch 24i boilers are small cheap and good. i have been using these until now i have a 4bed house with 2 bathrooms so i have a 30l with
a water tank (high pressure) to feed the electric power showers. and then you can still run hot water without killing anyone.
hope that helps.
Thanks
David Johnson
Building my tiger avon slowly but surely.
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Liam
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 01:21 PM |
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Whilst Locostbuilders is the font of all knowlede, you'll get the advice of more specialist pros and knowledgable diyers if you post the
questions on the central heating section of DIYnot.com. A great forum for this sort of thing.
I was reading a lot there when I was needing a new boiler fitted during my renovation (which I did all the plumbing for myself apart from the gas
related bits). Seemed most of the pros would only entertain Worcester Bosch or Vaillant with almost everything else on the domestic market considered
cheap tat. I went for a Vaillant.
Supply pipe diameter depends on the boiler rating essentially, but whatever the manufacturer calls for in the installation instructions should be
followed as a rule.
I wouldn't consider using anybody who wasn't even going to powerflush the old system !
He needs to be registered with Gas Safe. Electrical certification depends on the extent and location of the work required. If you're replacing
an existing boiler and a suitable electrical outlet (socket, fcu/flex outlet) is already there, he can simply connect to that and no seperate
certification would be required. If power for the boiler isn't already present and is to be provided by a new spur from an existing circuit
(for example) it starts to get complicated and the requirements depend on the location of the work. If it's not in a kitchen or bathroom, it is
not notifiable work (i.e. isn't subject to building control). You could do it yourself, or if the gas fitter is going to do it you need to at
least satisfy yourself he is competent to do so and will test his work and provide you with a minor works certificate. If the work will be in a
kitchen or bathroom (a 'special location' then the work is notifiable to building control. You can do it yourself and pay the ridiculous
fee to building control to notify it to them and have them inspect and test, or if a pro is going to do it he (or at least someone in the firm) needs
to be able to self-certify (i.e. be a member of a competent persons scheme such as NICEIC et all).
Hope that helps. DIYnot.com to check out my waffle, especially the details of the electrical side just in case my knowledge is getting rusty.
Liam
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mookaloid
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| posted on 5/5/10 at 10:33 PM |
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Liam has it about right. Worcester bosch or Vaillaint are the ones to go for. If you find a fitter who has attended the Worcester Bosch boiler fitting
course, then he can give a 5 year guarantee at no extra charge.
particularly avoid Potterton and Baxi which are rubbish. Also there are some eastern European ones which seem very cheap but when they go wrong parts
are horrendously priced.
"That thing you're thinking - it wont be that."
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