I'm reaching out to the extensive knowledge base of UTC here

I moved into a house a couple of years ago that has a water tank system with a boiler that's about 18 years old. My father-in-law, through the company he works for, has managed to secure us a free combi boiler on a field trial.

This sounds great, but I'm concerned about the cost of converting from a water tank to a combi system and having all the pipework changed and the tank removed from the loft. We apparently get £400 towards the cost of installation (again, great) but, if it's going to cost a few grand for the conversion, I might as well just pay for a new water tank boiler when needed.

Does anyone have any idea how much the conversion would cost roughly?

I've no idea how much it would cost but I had a completely new central heating system installed just over a year ago which included a new combi boiler and six new radiators plus the removal of the old hot water cylinder and cold water tank. The whole think wasn't much over £4,000.

Personally I'd forego the freebie thus saving on the cost and hassle of conversion.

The Worcester Bosch website will help you select a boiler and give you a list of their approved / accredited installers.

We had a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 24kw boiler installed last June with a power flush and magnet unit installed for £2200:00 and we're really pleased with the system and the workmanship.

Flushed on day one and installed the new using existing controls on day two. Very efficient and very quiet so no problem recommending them.

It is not that big of a job to change it over and if you get a decent fitter I’d have thought they’d do it quite cheaply. Make sure you have good water pressure if you’re getting a combi though. If you haven’t, then I would get an unvented cylinder to replace the old tank and keep your current boiler(If it’s working well).

New systems are far more efficient and a combi boiler gives you better pressure and it
converted my shower to a power shower instantly as the system is under pressure rather than gravity fed.
This won't apply if you have an electric shower though.

I had my old system removed (not the radiators) ie hot water tank, header tank, immersion heater all
removed from my loft and a new Baxi combi fitted for £1700 3 years ago.

You dont have to remove all the old system, just disconnect it from the mains water supply, drain the tanks
by running both hot and cold taps and leave it in situ if it's not in the way.

Of course the copper, lead etc can be weighed in, so you need to weigh one up against the other.

I held off converting my old system for 30+ years, but eventually the boiler finally gave up the ghost and I
had to bite the bullet. Not regretted it one bit.

As I have said, power shower, almost instant hot water and far, far more efficient. Bills down by one third.

Hope this helps.

Plumbers generally just add what you can get off on a government scheme to the bill they would normally charge. It's a lot of hassle filling out forms for grants and waiting time for payment.

Also plumbers generally install the boilers they can get good deals on to make it more affordable/more profit.

I think already mentioned, but remember all the old pipes and tank are worth quite a bit of money so that will help offset the cost. They are not the plumbers property!!!!

Can only agree totally with Funkydrummer on the efficiency of a new system. My gas bills have dropped significantly.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 5:54 pm

Plumbers generally just add what you can get off on a government scheme to the bill they would normally charge. It's a lot of hassle filling out forms for grants and waiting time for payment.

Also plumbers generally install the boilers they can get good deals on to make it more affordable/more profit.

Hence try to get a good local plumber with recommendations by people you know

Logged in because I thought this was about the wife!! Sorry, my mistake!

Fretters wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:07 pm

I'm reaching out to the extensive knowledge base of UTC here

I moved into a house a couple of years ago that has a water tank system with a boiler that's about 18 years old. My father-in-law, through the company he works for, has managed to secure us a free combi boiler on a field trial.

This sounds great, but I'm concerned about the cost of converting from a water tank to a combi system and having all the pipework changed and the tank removed from the loft. We apparently get £400 towards the cost of installation (again, great) but, if it's going to cost a few grand for the conversion, I might as well just pay for a new water tank boiler when needed.

Does anyone have any idea how much the conversion would cost roughly?

I thought combi Boilers had been the future over your old system for at least 35 years.....

You don't neeed to change all the pipework as a combi boiler (high pressure) will connect to what was an old low pressure system. You might just have go sort the odd leak, though. Not usually a problem

It's not cheap but its a good idea if you can afford it. I've just had a complete bathroom refit, done by a relative who is a terrific plumber and we asked him about converting to a combi (we have an old system of bloody pipes and two tanks in the loft, one of which has to be kept topped up every few weeks) but because of the cost of the bathroom we decided not to, it would have put another couple of grand minimum on the job). Wish we had have had it done really but although the system is archaic our boiler isn't that old and works well. Couldn't justify spending a couple of grand on something we didn't need, even at 'mates rates'.

box_of_frogs wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 15, 2020 6:23 pm

I think already mentioned, but remember all the old pipes and tank are worth quite a bit of money so that will help offset the cost. They are not the plumbers property!!!!

Excellent advice. The plumber will often say that he'll take away the rubbish but a hot water tank alone is worth a lot of money. Plus the pipes. Paul my plumber told me this recently. It's a hassle getting rid of the crap but financially worth it if you want to do it yourself.

Thanks for the replies, very helpful! I'm going to speak to a mate who's a plumber and see what price he can give me before I decide.

Get a new combi in. I think it's the Worcs/Bosch that is reckoned to be the best buy with a ten year guarantee.
I spent two winters frickin about having my old system patched up, chucking good money after bad.

If your water pressure will allow it get a combi for all the excellent reasons mentioned but get a decent make. If your water pressure is poor can in most circumstances install a mains booster pump that will get it up. Strongly advise though to get a magna flow installed especially as you are going onto old pipes the crap they stop getting through to the boiler is amazing.

houseboy wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2020 9:31 am

Excellent advice. The plumber will often say that he'll take away the rubbish but a hot water tank alone is worth a lot of money. Plus the pipes. Paul my plumber told me this recently. It's a hassle getting rid of the crap but financially worth it if you want to do it yourself.

Yep - i just did the same with my old pipes.

evensteadiereddie wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2020 12:40 pm

Get a new combi in. I think it's the Worcs/Bosch that is reckoned to be the best buy with a ten year guarantee.
I spent two winters frickin about having my old system patched up, chucking good money after bad.

When I was having mine done last year I spoke to a good friend of mine who did this job for living - he said a Baxi was every bit as good as a Worcester Bosch.

Fair enough. Either way if the system's ancient and inefficient it has to go.

We replaced our similar system with a Baxi platinum 40 kW last year for £3500. Absolutely delighted with it, especially as we could remove the shower pump.