How much more expensive would it be for duty and standby boilers?

[Ric2013]

As in the above question really. A forum member recently asked if we should be fitting duty and standby for vulnerable customers.

What I'd like to ask is what costs would this add to the job. Is it a case of extra boiler cost plus a couple of extra pipes (say £1000 in typical domestic setting) or does the cost of flue, controls and significant extra plumbing mean it would be a VERY expensive option?

Also, is it likely that the spare boiler would essentially remain as new until the old one breaks down, or would a twin boiler installation have a similar lifespan to a single boiler installation?

I thought it was an interesting point of discussion worthy of a separate thread...

 

[snowhead]

There's no point having a boiler standing idle.
The first time you need it , it probably won't work.
You'd need to run Duty and Standby and changeover regularly.

As in the previous post it's space that's the problem in Domestics.
You'd need to have boiler failure alert and rely on the customer doing something about it, in case the second boiler fails.

Vunerable customers just need to have a reliable maintenance contract.

I only do Commercial and we have plenty of multiboiler setups.
Most of them are driven by hours run, so the boiler with the lowest hours runs next.
If it's just 2 boilers they alternate daily.

 

[bacon_sandwich]

Agree with Snowhead. There are a number of solutions to how the boilers are run but most involve using both boilers regularly, they could be run together if they are say 1/2 sized or sequenced if able to cope with the load. I would say without a plant room these are extra bits that will give the vast majority of homes a problem with space and cost.
1. Generally 2 boilers cost more than one for the same size.
2. You need a minimum space between flue outlets, 1000mm for a small boiler or thereabouts.
3. Many installs need a low loss header.
4. Many installs are zoned for good reasons so need valves and pumps

When you add in all the other stuff for a sealed system i think you are looking at an area of 4M wide floor too ceiling. Not including cylinder if its in the same area.
The install cost is probably double and maybe more than depending on complexity.

For the vast majority of domestic, they struggle to find room for one boiler. The number of homes that are large enough to accommodate 2 boilers are few and far and unlikely to be lived in by the vulnerable.

Solution for worried domestic : By a good quality boiler, have it install professionally to MIs, then service annually before October, if it fails, use immersion for hot water or kettle if a combi, use fan heaters for bedroom before going too bed and living area for comfort.
Most boilers parts for the main manufacturers of current boilers are available next day or off the shelf, heating engineers are not un-sympathetic and do understand what cold feels like.
e.g. I received a call (not domestic) at 2pm, arrived at 4pm, diagnosed as failed PCB, ordered at 4:30pm, part arrived by 8:00am next day, boiler up and running at 11:30am. Total time down from original calls was less than 24hrs.

 

[Last Plumber]

I agree with Snowhead and Bacon.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

If you want to go down that route better option would be to buy a spare boiler and use it for spares when the first one breaks down

 

[Last Plumber]

People didn’t always have Central Heating!

 

[bacon_sandwich]

If you want to go down that route better option would be to buy a spare boiler and use it for spares when the first one breaks down

Brilliant....like it

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Brilliant....like it

if hes got money to burn why not