Modern CH boilers - annual replacement?
Discussion
motco said:
jagracer said:
My old Potterton is 33 years old and still does the job, over the years it's had 2 or 3 gas control valves at £70 each and a few thermocouples. It can't be very efficient compared with modern stuff but I suspect what I pay extra in gas bills I save in new boilers so although I am tempted to replace it, every time I read one of these threads I decide I'll not bother until it dies although I expect I'll go first.
Exactly, Jagracer, that's why I wrote this:motco said:
My 1971 Potterton C40/12 works fine. Okay it's inefficient but it's right next to me as I type and there's no need for a radiator in this room because the 'heat loss' makes the room warm enough without it. If I replaced it with a new efficient boiler the payback time would exceed the life of both the boiler and me!
If ain't bust...
Hmm.
Well today's chap changed the condensate drain system in its entirety (another redesign from the original it seems) and things appear to be working OK.
I'm still thinking it would be a good idea to change the system before next winter bit for now it might be OK.
Apparently re-calls attract negative feedback from management so presumably Thursday's engineer will not be popular. An extra 10 mins would have resolved the problem - just another spec. upgrade as per the burner seal - and there was surely pre-paid money in the job to allow that. More than there is now gioven the call back costs alone.
Thankfully there is no additional cost to me - other than about an extra 60 hours with no heating or hot water and watereve the cost differential between electric warmth from a few fanheaters and gas CH would have been.
So far so good. All I have to do now is try to get the house up to temp and the air out of the system after the pump change.
Well today's chap changed the condensate drain system in its entirety (another redesign from the original it seems) and things appear to be working OK.
I'm still thinking it would be a good idea to change the system before next winter bit for now it might be OK.
Apparently re-calls attract negative feedback from management so presumably Thursday's engineer will not be popular. An extra 10 mins would have resolved the problem - just another spec. upgrade as per the burner seal - and there was surely pre-paid money in the job to allow that. More than there is now gioven the call back costs alone.
Thankfully there is no additional cost to me - other than about an extra 60 hours with no heating or hot water and watereve the cost differential between electric warmth from a few fanheaters and gas CH would have been.
So far so good. All I have to do now is try to get the house up to temp and the air out of the system after the pump change.
neilsie said:
.... in one house i've got a 20yo Potterton Kingfisher, never broken down. in another, have a 3yo Baxi combi, suffice to say, wouldn't recommend it considering how many times its stopped working.
Ah.That's not so much a comparison of manufacurer, nor even of old v. new, that's a comparison between old tech-nothing-to-go-wrong and new tech PCB-plus-multiple-sensors!
neilsie said:
Not laughable when you are left with no heating or hot water in the depth of winter.
Ah.... the joys of combination boiler ownership. They are such a great idea. aren't they????? 
Ferg said:
neilsie said:
.... in one house i've got a 20yo Potterton Kingfisher, never broken down. in another, have a 3yo Baxi combi, suffice to say, wouldn't recommend it considering how many times its stopped working.
Ah.That's not so much a comparison of manufacurer, nor even of old v. new, that's a comparison between old tech-nothing-to-go-wrong and new tech PCB-plus-multiple-sensors!
neilsie said:
Not laughable when you are left with no heating or hot water in the depth of winter.
Ah.... the joys of combination boiler ownership. They are such a great idea. aren't they????? jagracer said:
But this is the issue, if you have the old tech and it still works then it seems wise to keep it as long as possible even if it uses more fuel.
Yes and no. I'm all for low tech, but contrary to what you may read on PH, modern boilers ARE more reliable. The problem is with the people who think they can fix them and that includes the 'sun-shines-out-of-their-arse' BG guys.....
The great thing about old style 'basic' boilers is that unless they run a pump over-run or overheat stat they are likely to be Gas valve, thermostat, thermocouple and er, that's it. easy to fix when they break, no running about for PCBs, sensors, fans, pressure switches....
This is the very reason I cringe when 'experts' tell you that combination boilers are so great.
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