Boiler options

[Bantam Buc]

So, I'm hoping for some help.

I've searched the forum and found some really useful information but it's also been a little conflicting so thought I'd post up my query for your thoughts.

I'm starting out on a renovation of a bungalow. It's 2 bedroom (1950's build) but we are currently going through planning to effectively double the size with a rear extension. The whole place will be getting updated, new wiring throughout, insulation added throughout (as there appears to be none) etc...

I'm looking at adding wet UFH, a couple of towel rails and radiators and there will be a main bathroom and also ensuite with a shower. I'm a little unclear what boiler solution I should be looking for:
- Combi boiler - Will this be able to support UFH, Shower and rads in the depths of winter?
- Boiler and water tank - Will this be overkill (we don't have children)

Is there anything else I should consider? Urgh, so much to think about.

[BaldOldMan]

I've just done this - mines a 2 storey rather than a bungalow - but ripped everything out, extended downstairs - - added loads of insulation everywhere - new plumbing, wiring etc.

There are only 2 of us, with occasional guests - and we are away quite a bit, so I went with a combi.

I figure I shouldn't need the heating much given the insulation - and I don't want to have to plan ahead for hot water - just turn it on & it keeps on flowing.

The worst ting I've heard about a combiner's is that it may not be great with multipole showers concurrently - but I've gone for a bigger one than I need - so will find out - even if we have to sequence the showering, it still feels like the right option for us

[pmanson]

We had a combi at our last place (1950s ex council end of terrace 4 bed with a downstairs extension).

Now it may have been the boiler (a rather old gloworm combi) but it always felt gutless. Getting it to heat the house and run showers in the morning was always fun (even more so on very cold days).

At the present house we're about to rip out the old standard boiler (boiler in the garage, cylinder in the airing cupboard and tank in the loft) and replace with a new boiler and unvented tank (both in the garage).

I do have 3 kids though!

[Black_S3]

pmanson said:

Now it may have been the boiler (a rather old gloworm combi) but it always felt gutless. Getting it to heat the house and run showers in the morning was always fun (even more so on very cold days).

You can alleviate this a bit with modern controls and scheduling the heating to switch off for 20 mins at the times you know you routinely shower - ie weekday mornings at 8am.

There's no solution that's instantly correct or better as Baldman mentions, everyone has different requirements, every house is different, mains pressures vary massively and the cost/practicalities of improving them vary, every is budget different, some value economy/environmental impact + others don't care and the big one is not many houses are actually worth enough to justify installing what is technically the best.

[silversurfer1]

[quote=Black_S3]

You can alleviate this a bit with modern controls and scheduling the heating to switch off for 20 mins at the times you know you routinely shower - ie weekday mornings at 8am.

All combis switch the heating off automatically when you run a hot tap you just don't know it

ss

[Black_S3]

silversurfer1]lack_S3 said:

You can alleviate this a bit with modern controls and scheduling the heating to switch off for 20 mins at the times you know you routinely shower - ie weekday mornings at 8am.

All combis switch the heating off automatically when you run a hot tap you just don't know it

ss

Def not the case with the ideal logic c24 in a house i'm renovating.

[Andrew_S]

Black_S3 said:

silversurfer1]lack_S3 said:

You can alleviate this a bit with modern controls and scheduling the heating to switch off for 20 mins at the times you know you routinely shower - ie weekday mornings at 8am.

All combis switch the heating off automatically when you run a hot tap you just don't know it

ss

Def not the case with the ideal logic c24 in a house i'm renovating.

Diverter valve must be stuck open.

[Black_S3]

Thanks both.

[Alucidnation]

Unvented cylinder all day long, unless it's a small flat or bedsit, and even then, a combi would be a last resort.

[HairyMaclary]

Alucidnation said:

Unvented cylinder all day long, unless it's a small flat or bedsit, and even then, a combi would be a last resort.

This all day long.

[craigjm]

A combi can run underfloor wet heating. I understand why you want towel radiators with that but why would you want other radiators and not just do UFH throughout?

[BaldOldMan]

I have an unvented cylinder in the flat I'm renting at the moment - OK if you just want a couple of showers - but if you want a bath & a shower, you're worried about running out of water. I guess a bigger cylinder is the answer - but that's more wasted space.

Then I'm heating it for all the time that I don't need it - or I turn it off - then when I get home I need to switch it on & wait an hour or two (I'm often away for days at a time)

So for my house I'm going with a combi.

Rather than continually just saying it's wrong - someone please explain why ?

[Bantam Buc]

craigjm said:

A combi can run underfloor wet heating. I understand why you want towel radiators with that but why would you want other radiators and not just do UFH throughout?

We are having a mezzanine level in the extension which won’t have UFH hence the need for a rad. Should only be one though.

[craigjm]

Bantam Buc said:

craigjm said:

A combi can run underfloor wet heating. I understand why you want towel radiators with that but why would you want other radiators and not just do UFH throughout?

We are having a mezzanine level in the extension which won’t have UFH hence the need for a rad. Should only be one though.

If you need to get pipework up there to fit a radiator why not do UFH? Would look odd to me to spoil the nice clean lines in one area alone