I have been trying to decide on what boiler to go for - I think my head is about to explode - but I have to make a decision.
Some background - I have a combi boiler - 4 bedroom house with 9 radiators (of varying sizes - 3 big doubles and the rest singles)
My current boiler is an Aristion Clas HE with 24kw output and 10.3 water flow rate.
The current boiler has been fine for central heating/radiator purposes but average for hot water. I am replacing the boiler and moving it to a new position and will be running a shower off the boiler instead of the current electric so concerned about water flow rates.
After much faffing I have decided to go for a Worcestor Bosch. My decision is between the normal sized 34CDi and the Compact 36 or 32.
The stats:
34 CDi - 30kw and 14.3litres
32 Compact - 24kw and 13.1 litres
36 Compact - 24kw and 14.7 litres
I wanted to go for the Compact because they fit in a kitchen unit and long story short the perfect place is in a kitchen unit right near where the mains comes in. If I go for the 34CDi I will need to move it elsewhere which will cause me a lot of hassle in having to get units in for the kitchen and shifting the kitchen around.
So my first question is - do I need the 30kw or can I stick with 24kw. I am retaining the same radiators (maybe even losing a small one). If I can get by on 24kw then I don't think I need to upgrade. I did an online calculator which suggested I needed just over 6kw for my central heating. I understand the 24kw is the maximum and only some is for the central heating - rest is for the domestic hot water.
I understand that the KW does not make any difference to the actual heat of the CH or HW.... is that right? As it is the boielrs get hot enough and quick enough.
I also understand it might be less efficent/economic to buy an overpowered boiler.
So it looks like I can keep 24kw and go for one of the Compacts - anyone have any thoughts on this?
The only issue is if I decide to get another 10 radiators and then I might be underpowered but this won't happen.
Next question is do I go for the 32 or 36 compact. Default answer seems to be the 36 - just because it has a higher flow rate and I believe if my mains is good enough then this will give me the best shower (do have good mains pressure).
I understand combies are not ideal for running multiple taps, but if you have a combi with a higher flowrate will this help if you are running a shower and someone puts a tap on?
Is there any other reason why it is better to buy the 32 over the 36?
Anyone have experiences of the Compact range? Search does not bring much up.
I have had a boiler guy around for a quote and he has recommended the 32 Compact for the following reasons. 1) fits in cupboard and 2) appears powerful enough. We did not really go into flow rates so I assume he thinks the 32 is good enough for a shower. I initally wanted the 34CDi but I think he has convinced me the Compact would be better (it being much easier to install in the space I want). I will be getting 2 more quotes anyway so can discuss this further but grateful for any views beforehand.
3 people live here but I also want to future proof it for potentially 5 in future (although not sure why a bigger boiler would make much difference as we woudl still have the same number of radiators and 1 bathroom - only thing I can think of is more demand on taps at the same time - hence a bigger boiler now will cover that issue).
Some background - I have a combi boiler - 4 bedroom house with 9 radiators (of varying sizes - 3 big doubles and the rest singles)
My current boiler is an Aristion Clas HE with 24kw output and 10.3 water flow rate.
The current boiler has been fine for central heating/radiator purposes but average for hot water. I am replacing the boiler and moving it to a new position and will be running a shower off the boiler instead of the current electric so concerned about water flow rates.
After much faffing I have decided to go for a Worcestor Bosch. My decision is between the normal sized 34CDi and the Compact 36 or 32.
The stats:
34 CDi - 30kw and 14.3litres
32 Compact - 24kw and 13.1 litres
36 Compact - 24kw and 14.7 litres
I wanted to go for the Compact because they fit in a kitchen unit and long story short the perfect place is in a kitchen unit right near where the mains comes in. If I go for the 34CDi I will need to move it elsewhere which will cause me a lot of hassle in having to get units in for the kitchen and shifting the kitchen around.
So my first question is - do I need the 30kw or can I stick with 24kw. I am retaining the same radiators (maybe even losing a small one). If I can get by on 24kw then I don't think I need to upgrade. I did an online calculator which suggested I needed just over 6kw for my central heating. I understand the 24kw is the maximum and only some is for the central heating - rest is for the domestic hot water.
I understand that the KW does not make any difference to the actual heat of the CH or HW.... is that right? As it is the boielrs get hot enough and quick enough.
I also understand it might be less efficent/economic to buy an overpowered boiler.
So it looks like I can keep 24kw and go for one of the Compacts - anyone have any thoughts on this?
The only issue is if I decide to get another 10 radiators and then I might be underpowered but this won't happen.
Next question is do I go for the 32 or 36 compact. Default answer seems to be the 36 - just because it has a higher flow rate and I believe if my mains is good enough then this will give me the best shower (do have good mains pressure).
I understand combies are not ideal for running multiple taps, but if you have a combi with a higher flowrate will this help if you are running a shower and someone puts a tap on?
Is there any other reason why it is better to buy the 32 over the 36?
Anyone have experiences of the Compact range? Search does not bring much up.
I have had a boiler guy around for a quote and he has recommended the 32 Compact for the following reasons. 1) fits in cupboard and 2) appears powerful enough. We did not really go into flow rates so I assume he thinks the 32 is good enough for a shower. I initally wanted the 34CDi but I think he has convinced me the Compact would be better (it being much easier to install in the space I want). I will be getting 2 more quotes anyway so can discuss this further but grateful for any views beforehand.
3 people live here but I also want to future proof it for potentially 5 in future (although not sure why a bigger boiler would make much difference as we woudl still have the same number of radiators and 1 bathroom - only thing I can think of is more demand on taps at the same time - hence a bigger boiler now will cover that issue).