General Chat

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Our central heating boiler is at least and probably more than 25 years old so thought it was about time that I investigated the cost of a new one before the old one gives up the ghost. A representative from a local plumbing company has been to give an estimate and I now find that: The boiler has to be a condensing boiler – ok fair enough. I can’t have a copper cylinder in the airing cupboard this has to be replaced by some new ultra efficient thing which will actually stop any heat escaping so therefore airing cupboard will become cupboard. Can’t have radiator in bathroom working off hot water system so therefore it will not heat when central heating is switched off in the summer. Solution, heated towel rail – more expense. I can’t just have the boiler replaced without this other work being done – is this right or am I being duped? Any comments would be appreciated. Marion

Can't answer your question, but I would strongly advise seeking a second AND third opinion. Never ever get just one quote for any job like that - if possible ask a friend or neighbour to recommend someone reliable ....

I think you'll find its for real sadly!! Its all to do with the new electrical laws and what can and can't be done!

Thanks for your responses, McAnne, Nanna and Diana. It seems quite ridiculous that as the old boiler (touch wood furiously) is still working that we might end up keeping an efficient, possibly dangerous boiler rather than getting it replaced. Words fail me, lol. Marion

erm, well, I'm rather hoping you're being duped, 'cos I don't think I could afford to replace my boiler if I have to change my tank and remove the radiator in my bathroom for a heated towel rail as well!!? Any trust worthy plumbers out there to confirm or deny this is what you have to do!? Nanna-Moo ;-)

I am not sure of the Regulations but we had new central heating put in last year and had to have the water tanks ect removed from the hot cupboard.We have a small radiator put in the cupboard so it still gets warm in there.We also have a radiator in the bathroom. The good thing about it is --the bills have halved since having it done. C xxx

Ooooh just another thought - if this is the case and when you know exactly what you need - it's worth getting prices for the parts yourself - it may be cheaper to source the parts yourself and just pay for labour .............

Thanks Posh, you do have a valid point, perhaps it will pay for itself in a few years with reduced bills. Hmmm food for thought lol. Marion

Marion, I think it may be worth your while having a word with a couple of different plumbers as I can't see why you can't have a radiator in the bathroom? Always best to have a couple of estimates/opinions. Good luck with what ever you decide to do. C xxxx

Was he CORGI REGISTERED for gas fitting cos if not get other estimates from only Corgi registered people. Suexxxxxx

I think Bob Camera Dodger knows a bit about this subject? or am I getting muddled, why not mail him direct or wait for him to come on here and see your thread. Good luck. Liz

just aDDING QUICK REPLY AS GOING TO WORK, FRIEND OF MINE WORKS BUT IS ON DISABILITTY, opps sorry. he has had complete new heating system put in on a grant due to him been on low income, i will try get details of him, but may be few days as just come out of hospital and not at home. do not know if u r on any benefit at all but this scheme is goverment backed i rightly think i can remember him saying. will add back to this as soon as i can. he is on working tax credit and disability money. and they paid for it all, maybe worth a google

There are some new regulations, which state you now have to have a condensing boiler, which my friend had to conform to when she had a new boiler, but she still has her hot water cylinder, original radiator etc. However, if you have a combi boiler you won't need a hot water cylinder, or a cold water tank. The boiler draws the water straight from the mains water supply and heats it as you require it. We have radiators in all rooms and a heated towel rail in the bathroom which does run of the boiler, it could have been a normal radiator, but we chose to have a towel rail. Of course combi boilers are more expensive which is probably why the plumber you had round suggested it. My friend got a grant to change her boiler, might be worth looking into that if you have an old boiler. Liz

Yes, my friend who got the grant has a disabled husband, but we got a grant for cavity wall insulation and we are not on benefits, it was just being given to improve house insulation. Liz

Thanks for all your responses. Yes Sue he is Corgi registered and is qualified to do the electrics as well together with all certification required. Posh, I can have a radiator in the bathroom but currently it works off the hot water system so that in the summer when the central heating is off I can still have nice warm dry towels. Apparently this isn’t allowed now and the radiator would have to work with the rest of the central heating so probably the best bet would be to have a heated towel rail which would work independently. Thanks for your input Liz and Debs but we are not on any benefits and I’d already had a bit of a google for any grants that might be available but alas I can’t find any. (Bit of a scrooge really and never like to pay out more money than necessary lol). I suppose it all could be worth it in the long run if it saves on our bills, but it just comes as a shock when you find that things are not as simple as you first thought. Ah well, such is life. Marion

That's very interesting. We had a visit from the council research thing. This guy had to go round 2000 properties in our area and check what facilities they had. At the end of it he said we could get a grant for cavity wall insulation, I wonder if they would help or cover the cost of replacing our boiler too, is about 25yrs old now and we are on TC too...have to make a phone call and find out! Thanks you lovely people, didn't even think of that and the cost of a new boiler is scarey...especially if the tank has to done as well.... Nanna-Moo ;-)).

Hi Marion I have a baxi boiler behind the fire. It is about 20 yr old gets serviced every year. Gas board have been telling us for years we should replace it,as the new ones are better. A few weeks ago the man was here. They no longer do the same type of boiler so like you I will have to have big changes,when we do replace it. Well worth getting a few opinions/prices. Marion

Thanks everyone for your responses. It certainly sounds worthwhile now to get at least another quote as the work involved seems to be more than just replacing the boiler. Nanna-moo, I hope you’re successful in getting a grant towards the cost of replacing your boiler etc. Marion from Scotland, I noticed on my searches on the internet that they don’t seem to do the back boilers now. Good luck when the time comes to make those changes. At least now I know it all seems genuine and I’m not being looked on as a soft touch. Marion

Hi Marion, I got my son to look at your thread and her's his reply, hope it helps Daphne HI this is Daphnes son, im a heating engineer so I can explain what is going on... The boiler doesn't have to be condensing but nearly all are made to be so they are up to government standards. That is why you will get sold one....they are more efficient and do use less gas as a rule. You can't have a radiator working off the hot water as this is against the regulations but if you are having a new system then this could be altered to work from the central heating. The new radiators or old ones if you are keeping them will need to have what are called thermostatic valves, these allow you to turn the radiators off when you want meaning that in the summer you would turn all the rads off apart from the bathroom one so that is the only one to get hot working the same as it does now....(dont get an electric towel rail as they are expensive to run) You dont have to have a combination boiler which is what they are trying to sell you...there are other options, it's just a combi system is the easiest and normally the cheapest option if done correctly. if you would like some other ideas or just more information then PM my mum and I'll get back to you Chris