oil combi boiler

[mk2_dee]

hey

im new to the forum, im not a plumber im a spark but do abit of basic diy plumbing round the house, just bought a house and renovating it for myself to live in, im rewiring and replastering and knocked down a few wall and thought i mite as well re plumb when im this far. it was suggested to me to put in a oil combi boiler, the reason it appealed to me that is im geting it tight for space and the hot water cylinder is in the kitchen and having a combi will elimanate that and free up sum much needed room.

my house is 3 bedroom bungalow

hall 2 rads
3 bedrooms = 3 rads
ensuite =1 rad
walkin wardrobe =1 rad
bathroom - 1 rad
kitchen= 1 rad
living= 1 rad

2 showers

1 would yous recommed a oil combi? over standard oil heating system and why?/why not?
2 would i be able to run 2 showers off the combi or put in electric showers?
3 would you use plastic or copper for the piping? why/why not?

 

[dontknowitall]

If a combi goes wrong, you have no hot water. If there's no mains water you have no hot water and no cold water. There's much to be said for the old fashioned system boiler, hot water cylinder and cold water storage. If the boiler goes wrong you have an immersion heater. If there's no mains water you have 2-3 days supply in cold water storage.

Two mixer showers should be fine. Electric should be fine too (assuming adequate pressure and flow). Mixer more expensive to install. Electric not as pretty to look at as mixers.

I prefer copper as I'm old fashioned. If there's plenty of under the floor work then a mix of both. In my opinion any plastic plumbing should be well hidden - looks too DIY, no matter how well it's installed.