Combi Boilers... any good?
Discussion
We converted from a conventional boiler and immersion tank to a combi only set up. 3 bed 1 bath + 4 kids!
Combi is much better for our requirements. We used to have a thermostatic mixer shower which needed a noisy pump, and you could empty the hot water after 2 brief showers, and a 45 minute wait to get enough hot water for a third shower in a row.
The shower pump was noisy. The gas use was over double what we use now.
There should be no problems with shower temperature if you have a thermostatic mixer, although pressure will fluctuate or occasionally stop if someone runs the kitchen tap full bore. Our water pressure is acceptable such that you can shower when the washing machine is on.
Our bathroom was tiny and knocking out the airing cupboard was a big bonus.
No regrets here. 5 years in and not a single issue with our boiler.
Combi is much better for our requirements. We used to have a thermostatic mixer shower which needed a noisy pump, and you could empty the hot water after 2 brief showers, and a 45 minute wait to get enough hot water for a third shower in a row.
The shower pump was noisy. The gas use was over double what we use now.
There should be no problems with shower temperature if you have a thermostatic mixer, although pressure will fluctuate or occasionally stop if someone runs the kitchen tap full bore. Our water pressure is acceptable such that you can shower when the washing machine is on.
Our bathroom was tiny and knocking out the airing cupboard was a big bonus.
No regrets here. 5 years in and not a single issue with our boiler.
We have had the same worcester combi boiler for 16 years in a 5 bed 2 bath. Brilliant to have hot water available all the time but the water pressure is a bit rubbish so we can't run 2 showers at the same time. (One is a thermostatic mixer from the boiler and the other is an electric shower from the mains). Even if the boiler heated water was supplied from an attic tank we still couldn't run the other shower because the mains pressure would be insufficient to supply the shower and fill the water tank at the same time
I agree with the airing cupboard problem but we just have to live with it. No room to fit one either, although when the kids were younger we used a cupboard in a wardrobe.
I agree with the airing cupboard problem but we just have to live with it. No room to fit one either, although when the kids were younger we used a cupboard in a wardrobe.
Combis are a compromise, for the most part.
If space and cost aren't an issue, an unvented cylinder with a system boiler will outperform a combi, providing you have adequate flow and pressure from your cold main.
Combi Pros:
Space saving
Instantaneous hot water
Mains pressure hot water
Cheaper to install from scratch than a conventional system
Combi Cons:
Average sized combis can't cope with two hot outlets being used at the same time
No backup source of hot water during a breakdown
Arguably less reliable than a conventional boiler and cylinder set up
Hot water priority, so heating doesn't run when a hot tap is being used
I'd say for your property, a combi will be fine. Anything with more than 1 bathroom or an above average consumption of hot water, I'd recommend a hot water cylinder.
If space and cost aren't an issue, an unvented cylinder with a system boiler will outperform a combi, providing you have adequate flow and pressure from your cold main.
Combi Pros:
Space saving
Instantaneous hot water
Mains pressure hot water
Cheaper to install from scratch than a conventional system
Combi Cons:
Average sized combis can't cope with two hot outlets being used at the same time
No backup source of hot water during a breakdown
Arguably less reliable than a conventional boiler and cylinder set up
Hot water priority, so heating doesn't run when a hot tap is being used
I'd say for your property, a combi will be fine. Anything with more than 1 bathroom or an above average consumption of hot water, I'd recommend a hot water cylinder.
MrJuice said:
For those with combis, how often do you service? Manufacturer says yearly. Seems a bit overkill....?
If it's under any sort of warranty or cover package then it has to be serviced annually. They don't really "service" them - it's basically a safety check. I don't know if it's true but I read BG stopped doing strip-down services as so many broke immediately afterwards.
The biggest job for the independent guy who installed one of our WB combis is to clean out the Magnatec filter. Even doing that he's in and out in 20 mins.
PartOfTheProblem said:
Exactly this from what I've seen of our boiler servicing to date. Visual inspection, probe in the flue, quick vacuum of the inside. In an out in 15 mins max. Arguably still worthwhile however.
The chap who installed my mum's combi contacted me asking if we wanted it serviced. I replied yes and that I've just bought a house with a combi and would like that serviced too. He said he charges £80 for one but would do both for £150. Houses are ten mins drive apart. I respectfully declined.
richie99 said:
We have had the same worcester combi boiler for 16 years in a 5 bed 2 bath. Brilliant to have hot water available all the time but the water pressure is a bit rubbish so we can't run 2 showers at the same time. (One is a thermostatic mixer from the boiler and the other is an electric shower from the mains). Even if the boiler heated water was supplied from an attic tank we still couldn't run the other shower because the mains pressure would be insufficient to supply the shower and fill the water tank at the same time
I agree with the airing cupboard problem but we just have to live with it. No room to fit one either, although when the kids were younger we used a cupboard in a wardrobe.
There is no need to struggle with poor mains pressureI agree with the airing cupboard problem but we just have to live with it. No room to fit one either, although when the kids were younger we used a cupboard in a wardrobe.
http://www.stuart-turner.co.uk/products/flomate/
I have had both set ups.
In my current house I replaced an ageing combi for a potterton about 6 years ago.
Its in the loft and kitchen is in the extension, it can take a while to get hot water there but i'm not on a meter so not overly concerned (takes about 30 seconds to be hot)
As poster above mentioned when it split a pipe last winter i was left with having to get someone round that day as had no hot water or heating, luckily the village plumber who installed it was round in an hour and charged me £30.
its been serviced once and when he came last time to fix the pipe I asked him to service it and he said he wouldn't bother, as its only a check and by fitting the part he had hoovered it and checked all was good anyway.
I would replace with another, having a thermostatic shower with really good mains water pressure is bliss, id never go back to a tank for this very reason, never had issues with the shower losing temp with either the washer or other taps.
I think mine is 28kw 3 bed house with 1 bathroom and 2 adults 2 kids.
We have at least 2 showers a day and 2 baths without fuss
With my last tank one I had BG cover as it was always playing up, they repaired the tank twice and the boiler was like triggers broom, it was only 8 years old when i brought the house, i have paid for my latest oilier now with the savings from not having the British gas cover.
In my current house I replaced an ageing combi for a potterton about 6 years ago.
Its in the loft and kitchen is in the extension, it can take a while to get hot water there but i'm not on a meter so not overly concerned (takes about 30 seconds to be hot)
As poster above mentioned when it split a pipe last winter i was left with having to get someone round that day as had no hot water or heating, luckily the village plumber who installed it was round in an hour and charged me £30.
its been serviced once and when he came last time to fix the pipe I asked him to service it and he said he wouldn't bother, as its only a check and by fitting the part he had hoovered it and checked all was good anyway.
I would replace with another, having a thermostatic shower with really good mains water pressure is bliss, id never go back to a tank for this very reason, never had issues with the shower losing temp with either the washer or other taps.
I think mine is 28kw 3 bed house with 1 bathroom and 2 adults 2 kids.
We have at least 2 showers a day and 2 baths without fuss
With my last tank one I had BG cover as it was always playing up, they repaired the tank twice and the boiler was like triggers broom, it was only 8 years old when i brought the house, i have paid for my latest oilier now with the savings from not having the British gas cover.
Peanut Gallery said:
Just to add i have a combi in my place, one thing that is rather annoying is in the middle of winter I have to try and slow down the flow of water filling the sink
I, too, have faced the struggle of turning down the hot water tap a little. An EXTREMELY severe First World Problem.Incidentally not only do you have no hot water if there is a fault with the boiler, but if there is a fault with the water supply you have no cold water, or hot water with a combi.
You might think that the cold water is rarely cut off but ours probably goes twice a year due to bursts locally.
You might think that the cold water is rarely cut off but ours probably goes twice a year due to bursts locally.
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