Condensing boiler, worth the expense ?
Discussion
Didnt want to hijack the other boiler thread but it made me wonder, my boiler a Glow-worm Fuelsaver F. (Remember them anyone
) doesnt even appear on them energy charts so I assume its dire. The thing that concerns me is when the fan siezed a few years ago I asked the guy that fixed it if it was worth replacing with a new condensing boiler. He said my old boiler would last forever as there is not much to go wrong, where as a condensing boiler may need replacing in as little as five years. So given the energy saving of approx £200 per year is it worth the investment ? (remember its Pistonheads so not green , or is he wrong ?
) doesnt even appear on them energy charts so I assume its dire. The thing that concerns me is when the fan siezed a few years ago I asked the guy that fixed it if it was worth replacing with a new condensing boiler. He said my old boiler would last forever as there is not much to go wrong, where as a condensing boiler may need replacing in as little as five years. So given the energy saving of approx £200 per year is it worth the investment ? (remember its Pistonheads so not green , or is he wrong ?We replaced our combination boiler last year after British Gas offered to supply it for cost price and no labour charge as they were fed up with coming out to repair it under there servicecare contract. No idea whether it was condensing or not but theres certainly minimal saving in gas use with the new one.
I know at least one of the British Gas engineers who cam out argued that replacing boilers for fuel efficiency reasons was not necessarially a good idea as modern ones apparently don't last as long as the old ones. Therefore whilst you might save money, you dont save enough to pay for the new boiler before it needs replacing itself.
I guess what you need to do is look at how much gas you are using, and therefore how much you will "save" with a new boiler, and then get some quotes for replacing it and see how many years it will take you to payback that cost.
I know at least one of the British Gas engineers who cam out argued that replacing boilers for fuel efficiency reasons was not necessarially a good idea as modern ones apparently don't last as long as the old ones. Therefore whilst you might save money, you dont save enough to pay for the new boiler before it needs replacing itself.
I guess what you need to do is look at how much gas you are using, and therefore how much you will "save" with a new boiler, and then get some quotes for replacing it and see how many years it will take you to payback that cost.
ALawson said:
Sorry to hijack this thread but whats better vented or unvented system?
What are your requirements and expectations?Are there any restrictions on site?
There are many questions to ask before you can be given an answer. Or you can just nail a combi to the wall, as is so often advocated.
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