Boiler Advice
Boiler Advice
Hoping somebody on here can give me a bit of advice as I’m clueless when it comes to plumbing.
I’ve just moved into a house up Harle Syke which has a conventional boiler (boiler downstairs, cylinder upstairs and water tank in the attic). The water pressure in the showers (main and en suite) is terrible and we want it sorting.
The plumber from work has advised replacing with a top of the range combi boiler and moving the boiler upstairs. He said this will sort the pressure. This will cost me at least 3 grand though. Others have said that I should get a shower pump, however, I’ve heard that these are really noisy and can use up all your water really quickly.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated!
I’ve just moved into a house up Harle Syke which has a conventional boiler (boiler downstairs, cylinder upstairs and water tank in the attic). The water pressure in the showers (main and en suite) is terrible and we want it sorting.
The plumber from work has advised replacing with a top of the range combi boiler and moving the boiler upstairs. He said this will sort the pressure. This will cost me at least 3 grand though. Others have said that I should get a shower pump, however, I’ve heard that these are really noisy and can use up all your water really quickly.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated!
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Re: Boiler Advice
Think your plumber has given you the best advice to be honest.
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Re: Boiler Advice
I was hoping somebody would say that!The Enclosure wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 8:41 amThink your plumber has given you the best advice to be honest.
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Re: Boiler Advice
Not quite sure why the boiler would have to go upstairs though?
Re: Boiler Advice
Think the plumber at work is right, not sure why you need a top of the range combi boiler though, unless you’ve got a very large house.
Re: Boiler Advice
That’s something that I’m a bit confused about too. Maybe it’s something to do with it being on the same floor as the showers?The Enclosure wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 8:43 amNot quite sure why the boiler would have to go upstairs though?
Re: Boiler Advice
It’s just a regular sized, 3 bed house. He mentioned something about this boiler having the best warranty and being able to produce the best flow rate.
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Re: Boiler Advice
Would you suffer with drops in pressure if taps, or other washer/dishwasher to be used?
Re: Boiler Advice
The pressure in your shower with a conventional system is dependent on the height of the header tank in the attic so it must be quite low down, you could look to increase its height which is a cheaper option, next cheapest is electric showers but by the time you've paid for shower,plumber and electrician you would be better off biting the bullet and get a combi installed. Keep the cylinder and redundant pipes and weigh them in, copper price for scrap rising according to a plumber I know.
Go for a Baxi or Worcester good warranty and reliable.
Go for a Baxi or Worcester good warranty and reliable.
Last edited by bfcjg on Sat May 01, 2021 8:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Boiler Advice
Yeah I believe so, but I’m used to that as I’m lived in houses with combi boilers pretty much my whole life. Would rather deal with that than the situation we have now.clarethomer wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 8:51 amWould you suffer with drops in pressure if taps, or other washer/dishwasher to be used?
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Re: Boiler Advice
Do you have to put the boiler on an external wall too?
We have a gravity fed system and a pump too. It’s not the best I must admit but I can’t justify the expense of changing it.
We have a gravity fed system and a pump too. It’s not the best I must admit but I can’t justify the expense of changing it.
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Re: Boiler Advice
I upgraded from an old conventional boiler to a combi boiler and the shower pressure almost doubled. Just watch out for problems with old pipe work. The old boiler was much more tolerant of low pressure in the water pipes whereas the combi was not happy at all. It transpired that we had a lot of leaks under our concrete floor which were made worse by them being flushed out when the new boiler was installed. Ended up that an already expensive boiler upgrade became a very expensive repiping job. As I say though the shower pressures are now great.
Re: Boiler Advice
Great advice, thank you. I’ll keep hold of the cylinder. The boiler he recommended is a Worcester, so that makes me feel better.bfcjg wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 8:52 amThe pressure in your shower with a conventional system is dependent on the height of the header tank in the attic so it must be quite low down, you could look to increase its height which is a cheaper option, next cheapest is electric showers but by the time you've paid for shower,plumber and electrician you would be better off biting the bullet and get a combi installed. Keep the cylinder and redundant pipes and weigh them in, copper price for scrap rising according to a plumber I know.
Go for a Baxi or Worcester good warranty and reliable.
Re: Boiler Advice
Great to hear about the pressure doubling! Just what I was hoping to hear. I’m hoping that as our house is only 26 years old, there won’t be an issue with old piping.Whitgord wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 8:58 amI upgraded from an old conventional boiler to a combi boiler and the shower pressure almost doubled. Just watch out for problems with old pipe work. The old boiler was much more tolerant of low pressure in the water pipes whereas the combi was not happy at all. It transpired that we had a lot of leaks under our concrete floor which were made worse by them being flushed out when the new boiler was installed. Ended up that an already expensive boiler upgrade became a very expensive repiping job. As I say though the shower pressures are now great.
Re: Boiler Advice
No you dont however it has to be flued externally either via the roof or through an external wall a heating engineer will know the regs regarding windows etc. Always get a Magnaflow installed as they protect your boiler and in most cases increases warranty period. Good advice by Whigord as well re pipes.clarethomer wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 8:55 amDo you have to put the boiler on an external wall too?
We have a gravity fed system and a pump too. It’s not the best I must admit but I can’t justify the expense of changing it.
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Re: Boiler Advice
Lots of schemes about for free boilers if cost is an issue.
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Re: Boiler Advice
I endorse the comment about improving the shower pressure significantly with a new combi boiler - ours is in the garage..
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Re: Boiler Advice
I'm in my late 60's and always been used to the gravity/header tank system. I was very resistant to changing
it in favour of a combi boiler.
However I was left with no alternative when my old system gave up the ghost. I must confess that my fear
of the change was ill founded. I love the combination boiler set up. As already said, the water pressure for the
shower almost doubled and you only heat the water that you use ( no storage of hot water that's not used and goes
cold, only to be reheated again)
I opted for a Baxi with a 7 year guarantee and had no problems in the 5 years since installation. As regards
old piping, my heating engineer tested the pipework under pressure prior to installation. Mine is located in
the garage. Provided you keep an eye on the pressure in the system you should be fine.
Added bonus, there's a Baxi/boiler shop/outlet in Padiham just down the road.
Happy hunting for a solution.
it in favour of a combi boiler.
However I was left with no alternative when my old system gave up the ghost. I must confess that my fear
of the change was ill founded. I love the combination boiler set up. As already said, the water pressure for the
shower almost doubled and you only heat the water that you use ( no storage of hot water that's not used and goes
cold, only to be reheated again)
I opted for a Baxi with a 7 year guarantee and had no problems in the 5 years since installation. As regards
old piping, my heating engineer tested the pipework under pressure prior to installation. Mine is located in
the garage. Provided you keep an eye on the pressure in the system you should be fine.
Added bonus, there's a Baxi/boiler shop/outlet in Padiham just down the road.
Happy hunting for a solution.
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Re: Boiler Advice
I think Baxi are the most reliable from my experience.
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Re: Boiler Advice
we have just had the the traditional boiler, with the cylinder upstairs and water tank in the attic, (exactly as you described) replaced with a combi boiler. Never looked back. More energy efficient, quieter, and easier to maintain. We had the boiler moved upstairs into the airing cupboard where the cylinder had been. Basically just to provide more space downstairs.
We have previously used shower pumps, but they were noisy and we ended up having to replace them every couple of years. £300 each time!
The quote you have been given does seem a little high though. We used NWR Properties in Padiham and were very pleased with them.
We have previously used shower pumps, but they were noisy and we ended up having to replace them every couple of years. £300 each time!
The quote you have been given does seem a little high though. We used NWR Properties in Padiham and were very pleased with them.
Re: Boiler Advice
I will second the shout for NWR Properties too. They fitted our new combi a year or two ago and they were first class.1968claret wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 10:57 amwe have just had the the traditional boiler, with the cylinder upstairs and water tank in the attic, (exactly as you described) replaced with a combi boiler. Never looked back. More energy efficient, quieter, and easier to maintain. We had the boiler moved upstairs into the airing cupboard where the cylinder had been. Basically just to provide more space downstairs.
We have previously used shower pumps, but they were noisy and we ended up having to replace them every couple of years. £300 each time!
The quote you have been given does seem a little high though. We used NWR Properties in Padiham and were very pleased with them.
Also, when we had ours done, the council had a scheme where they gave us 250 quid towards the cost of a new boiler, eiligible for any 2 or 3 bed house. Not sure if they still offer that but worth ringing the council to find out, or asking whichever plumber you go with.
Re: Boiler Advice
There’s no point paying for a top flow rate, if your water pressure isn’t brilliant, if you’ve got good water pressure then you would benefit from a boiler that has a high flow rate.
We have a Baxi combi boiler and it’s excellent
Re: Boiler Advice
I’ve asked for an application fo for this 3 times from Burnley council. Yet to receive it though. I will be chasing again next week. Think it’s £300 now.DanH90 wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 11:31 amI will second the shout for NWR Properties too. They fitted our new combi a year or two ago and they were first class.
Also, when we had ours done, the council had a scheme where they gave us 250 quid towards the cost of a new boiler, eiligible for any 2 or 3 bed house. Not sure if they still offer that but worth ringing the council to find out, or asking whichever plumber you go with.
Re: Boiler Advice
The thing I would be wary about is that with climate change and the move to renewable energy sources the days of gas may be numbered. Obviously it would take a monumental effort to eliminate all gas items but if you don't have to do anything immediately it's something to consider. There may be more in the way of grants and the like to encourage this transition.
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Re: Boiler Advice
Like the OP I had an old system with boiler downstairs, cylinder upstairs and water tank in the attic. It was years old and a friend of mine who had worked as a gas fitter and plumber advised me to get a completely new system which, in my case, was the right thing to do given the age of it all.
Now have a Baxi combi on 7 year guarantee (installed Sep 2018) with the boiler now in the loft. I've had no issues with it at all, and he even installed a pressure gauge for me downstairs so I don't need to go up to check things. It's been excellent and my gas bills have reduced enormously.
Now have a Baxi combi on 7 year guarantee (installed Sep 2018) with the boiler now in the loft. I've had no issues with it at all, and he even installed a pressure gauge for me downstairs so I don't need to go up to check things. It's been excellent and my gas bills have reduced enormously.
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Re: Boiler Advice
Are you a plumber by any chance?bfcjg wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 9:34 amNo you dont however it has to be flued externally either via the roof or through an external wall a heating engineer will know the regs regarding windows etc. Always get a Magnaflow installed as they protect your boiler and in most cases increases warranty period. Good advice by Whigord as well re pipes.
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Re: Boiler Advice
Flues have to be a minimum of 30 cm's from a window or door, all new boilers have to have a filter fitted.bfcjg wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 9:34 amNo you dont however it has to be flued externally either via the roof or through an external wall a heating engineer will know the regs regarding windows etc. Always get a Magnaflow installed as they protect your boiler and in most cases increases warranty period. Good advice by Whigord as well re pipes.
Re: Boiler Advice
Just to show the other side of the coin, we had a Worcester Bosch combi installed 17 years ago and it's never missed a beat.claretandy wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 10:19 amStay clear of Worcesters, plastic internal parts break all the time
Have it serviced once a year. Would unreservedly recommend based on our experience.
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Re: Boiler Advice
17 years ago we had a Worcester Bosch, my experience was like yours, installed a Baxi 2 years since after being warned off Worcester, due to a steep decline in the quality of their product.
Re: Boiler Advice
No, but I have always been in construction and M&E services. Sadly I can only dream about a plumbers bank balance
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17 years ago is a long time, it's the more recent Worcesters that are poorly made.
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Re: Boiler Advice
This link will help you choose a model of boiler. See if it’s the same as your plumber recommends. If not maybe call Worcester to discuss it. Some plumbers like to recommend boilers that they are familiar with rather than what’s the most appropriate. Anyway it’s worth looking
https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/produ ... =homeowner
https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/produ ... =homeowner
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Re: Boiler Advice
Had a Vaillant combi installed last June and it has been excellent up to press. I originally asked for a Worcester Bosch but the heating engineer talked me out of it and said that the parts inside them had been "downgraded" with less stainless steel being used. Recognised installers can also get you a ten year guarantee on th Vaillant range by going through an additional registration process. My shower was hardly strong enough to shower a mouse, but it's great now with no need for any additional "assistance". My mother in law had an Alpha boiler installed about the same time and that also seems to be performing well.
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Re: Boiler Advice
£3k is excessive. You’ll be able to get one for less than £3k. We got a Viesmann for a 4 bed house last year for £2k. Found via online search engine. Yorkshire Boilers fitted it. Well worth a look
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Re: Boiler Advice
Cant remember why now but my plumber recommended a Baxi over a Worcester Bosch and, as others have said, it has a 7 year warranty. I've had no problems at all in the two years subsequently.
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Re: Boiler Advice
My Worcester boiler fitted in 2002 and still working
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Re: Boiler Advice
Same here, got a viessmann fitted for 2.2k with a 10 year parts and labour warranty.Marney&Mee wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 12:12 pm£3k is excessive. You’ll be able to get one for less than £3k. We got a Viesmann for a 4 bed house last year for £2k. Found via online search engine. Yorkshire Boilers fitted it. Well worth a look