Boiler location.

[cpas]

I currently have an old-style CH boiler right in the midle of the house (upstairs landing) and am considering replacing it with a combi. Is there any reason why this cannot be situated in the loft, right on the end wall? I know they give out some heat to the house whilst on, but would this be significant if this was lost to the surroundings (roof space is insulated below, so peretty much open to the elements).

[herbialfa]

Nope! Thats exaclty where mines is!

[dave_s13]

Same in my old house.

In loft on gable end. Didn't cause any bother.

In this house it's in the coal cupboard on the ground floor and when it hit 0 deg outside it will likely get that cold in the coal shed too, due to there being only wooden door between it and the elements. I'm a bit worried about what's going to happen to it when we're out all day. Do they just freeze up or do modern boilers have some sort of protection against this?

Mines a Vokera compact BTW, oh and I've lagged all the pipes in the coal shed to try and avoid freezing.

[miniman]

Mine's in the garden in a metal case.

[B17NNS]

No reason why not. I think the only stipulation regs wise is that the area around it and access to it from the access hatch is boarded and a loft ladder is installed.

Oh and obviously make sure all pipes are lagged.

[Ferg]

Loft ladder.
Walkway WITH handrail OR fully boarded.

The gas supply is the difficult bit. Boxing gas pipes is quite difficult to do legally. Make sure you get it right OR run the gas up the outside.

[cpas]

Thanks for all the info. I'm obviously going to get a plumber in to do it but was toying with ideas before I called someone in for a quote. The current system has 2 huge tanks in the middle of the loft, effectively blocking access to the rest. this could all go with a combi leaving more room for my normal loft junk - LOL!! The gas pipework is already just below this and would only need extending through the ceiling and a few metres along and around the joists - and the hot water could mostly be dropped straight into the bathrooms .
I think most modern systems have an automatic freeze protection.

[Ferg]

cpas said:

The current system has 2 huge tanks in the middle of the loft,

cpas said:

this could all go with a combi

cpas said:

bathrooms.

Plural?
Please be very aware that NO combination boiler can compete with the flowrates available from a cylinder with tanks above. The PH Homes, Gardens and DIY is littered with people who have fitted a Combination Boiler seduced by the idea of more space and good hot 'pressure'. Multiple outlets with a combination boiler don't work well. It's simple maths. When you open two 22mm bath taps all the water to supply them must come from the road via a (at best) 22mm internal pipe. Factor in a washing machine running, kitchen sink, toilet flushed, shower in an en-suite, things can (and do) get a little disappointing.
Do some research. Make sure you get advice from someone who CARES that the system specified is fit for purpose.

cpas said:

The gas pipework is already just below this and would only need extending through the ceiling and a few metres along and around the joists

Combination boilers require much higher gasrates. Is the supply up to it? Especially after putting more distance on it?

Edited by Ferg on Tuesday 19th October 20:15

[cpas]

Ferg said:

cpas said:

The current system has 2 huge tanks in the middle of the loft,

cpas said:

this could all go with a combi

cpas said:

bathrooms.

Plural?
Please be very aware that NO combination boiler can compete with the flowrates available from a cylinder with tanks above. The PH Homes, Gardens and DIY is littered with people who have fitted a Combination Boiler seduced by the idea of more space and good hot 'pressure'. Multiple outlets with a combination boiler don't work well. It's simple maths. When you open two 22mm bath taps all the water to supply them must come from the road via a (at best) 22mm internal pipe. Factor in a washing machine running, kitchen sink, toilet flushed, shower in an en-suite, things can (and do) get a little disappointing.
Do some research. Make sure you get advice from someone who CARES that the system specified is fit for purpose.

cpas said:

The gas pipework is already just below this and would only need extending through the ceiling and a few metres along and around the joists

Combination boilers require much higher gasrates. Is the supply up to it? Especially after putting more distance on it?

Edited by Ferg on Tuesday 19th October 20:15

Fair point and I will give it good consideration!! One tank does supply all hot and cold water, and the other tops up the central heating. Not huge I suppose, but still in the way!! We are only likely to use the shower or the bath but not both - but don't really use hot water for much else as it takes sooo long at the moment to get to the downstairs taps, and the dishwasher and washing m/c all use a cold feed. the gas supply could be easily run from outside (and this would explain why so many houses in our area have recently 'grown' external gas pipes). I suppose another option would be to re-locate the feeder tanks in a more convenient location along the end wall. I'm also assuming a combi would be cheaper to run - seems like a good idea to only heat the water you need.