Heat only or system boiler?

[JR EWING]

Dear all,


Just about to have a new boiler installed at my property and i am unsure whether to keep the present set up, which is an open vent heat only boiler OR opt for an open vent sealed system boiler.


I have read conflicting opinions regarding this, with some people suggesting that if the current system is working fine then simply swap the old boiler for a new one, whereas others have suggested that a system boiler would be a better choice.


Had an installer come round and he suggested switching to a system boiler. He said that the installation costs would be a little higher but i could keep the existing hot water cylinder and get rid of one of the header tanks in the loft.


It's a 4 bed property, 12 rads, one bathroom and downstairs WC.


Any advice would be much appreciated,


Thanks

 

[IDCHAPPY]

My personal preference would be a system boiler dude. Less air locks and spotting pressure drops is easier

 

[Masood]

I agree with IDCHAPPY in general but be aware that old pipework can sometimes leak when converted to a pressurised system.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

I agree with IDCHAPPY in general but be aware that old pipework can sometimes leak when converted to a pressurised system.

Yes, this is a very good point .

 

[Roger Welton]

On the other hand heat only boilers are simpler and you don't end up paying a premium for pumps, exp vessels. And they can be sized correctly for the system.

My ideal solution would be a heat only boiler on a sealed system

 

[Killy Bing]

On the other hand heat only boilers are simpler and you don't end up paying a premium for pumps, exp vessels. And they can be sized correctly for the system.

My ideal solution would be a heat only boiler on a sealed system

+1 for a heat only and a new pump in current location.

seal the system if possible too

if you have pipes buried in concrete or screed i would not seal the system to presurised.

 

[Ermintrude]

But heat only u need expansion and filling loop and pumps not covered by manufacturers warranty. Ideal logic + system 7 years wozza! Plus if your pump not next to boiler your going to need an additional cable pulled in for the pump overrun.

 

[solutions]

But heat only u need expansion and filling loop and pumps not covered by manufacturers warranty. Ideal logic + system 7 years wozza! Plus if your pump not next to boiler your going to need an additional cable pulled in for the pump overrun.

Not all heat only' s need the additional cable for the pump over run. The Baxi solo/ Potterton gold for instance.

 

[Toxic Ted]

On the other hand heat only boilers are simpler and you don't end up paying a premium for pumps, exp vessels. And they can be sized correctly for the system.

My ideal solution would be a heat only boiler on a sealed system

X3 as Roger says

 

[TBServices]

If prob go for a new heat only boiler and controls, but seal the system.

This should keep costs down a bit, improve your ch system performance, but make any future replacement pumps etc cheaper.

 

[TBServices]

Chances are there's already pump overrun wiring in place, unless it's a Solo that's in at the moment. If this is the case then a system boiler is better than running new wiring.

Good point about the warranty too Ermintrude, never thought of that!

 

[JR EWING]

If prob go for a new heat only boiler and controls, but seal the system.

This should keep costs down a bit, improve your ch system performance, but make any future replacement pumps etc cheaper.

Thank you for the replies, all useful info as i just want to get a reliable boiler and decent installation.

How would an installer seal the system? At the moment i have an open vent system, vented hot water cylinder and two water tanks in loft.

The boiler i am considering is the WB Greenstar 15ri, however i have read reviews that say that the heat exchange plate on this model is prone to corrosion and it has a lot of plastic components....would the Vaillant Ecotec Plus 415 be a better choice? Or perhaps the Glow Ultracom 15 hxi?

 

[TBServices]

Vaillant over worcester any day, but they're both overpriced.

Ideal Logic heat only is a top boiler but a little on the big side.

 

[Ermintrude]

Not all heat only' s need the additional cable for the pump over run. The Baxi solo/ Potterton gold for instance.

One boiler with three names. Solo gold and carp

 

[mutley racers]

But heat only u need expansion and filling loop and pumps not covered by manufacturers warranty. Ideal logic + system 7 years wozza! Plus if your pump not next to boiler your going to need an additional cable pulled in for the pump overrun.

Now this has just made me make my mind up. All parts included in warranty and no extra cable to run. Beauty!!!!