A
Associate
Hi,
Sorry for the long post, but I think detailed information will help you in providing maximum input!
I live in a 3 bedroom end terraced house, which has a low pressure, gravity fed water system, whereby the water tanks are in the loft on the top floor, and the bathroom is on the same floor (top) as well. The house is 30 years old.
A few years ago, up in the loft, an Expansion Vessel was installed by British Gas (I think a tank may have been removed as a result, but you guys will know more about this than me! We had this done through British Gas' Home Care cover), and a Pressure Gauge was fitted in the Airing Cupboard where the hot water cylinder is. This did ensure that the boiler broke down less often.
The current boiler we have is a Micron Glow-Worm 50FF, which we've had for at least 10 years (Expansion Vessel was installed when we had this Boiler). The boiler has been ok, but in recent months when it is turned on, it does make bit more of a noise than normal (you know the sort of noise that indicates that is working away heating up the water). It seems to be working fine generally though, and I don't have any immediate concerns about it. Although, we have been thinking about having it replaced anyway if we could afford it, with a better quality boiler, and been having the feeling that this boiler may reach the end of it's shelf life in the next few years.
The Boiler when turned on, heats up the water and the gas radiators at the same time (so both connected to this Boiler. Sorry if I am stating the obvious!). There are 7 radiators in the house in total.
As part of the Govt's Affordable Warmth Scheme, where qualifying people in certain circumstances are entitled to have a new boiler installed free of charge, my mum is entitled to a new boiler as a result.
We made an application with Npower, and when their Energy Efficiency Assessor visited the property recently, after a thorough inspection, when we specifically discussed a new boiler, he said that it's best to replace this boiler with a new one, which will be more economical, and he would be recommending a Combi Condensing Boiler, but even if it is a conventional Boiler, it would definitely be a Condensing one. This is something we can discuss in greater detail with Npower's Technical Engineer at a future visit (as this guy isn't an expert in this area).
There are 3 adults that live in this house and normally use the hot water facility and shower (and radiators during winter) - me, my mum and my brother. Every few weeks my other 2 siblings and their partners will visit and may stay over for a few days.
At the moment, there is only one bathroom in the property (with toilet) that has a shower mixer. There is also a ground floor toilet too. In the future, we are thinking about installing an enclosed/suitable shower in the toilet, as there is sufficient space to do so.
There is no Immersion Heater at the moment in the house connected to the Cylinder. Never got round to it, although have been thinking about getting one installed!The green Cylinder is at least 15 years old, and it says "Albion Supalag Green" on it, and was installed by the council before we became homeowners.
Taking all the above into account, if given the option by Npower (or whichever company we end up having a the boiler replaced by), should we choose a Combi Boiler or a Conventional Boiler for our needs and best fit for this property please?
Thank you :smile5:
Sorry for the long post, but I think detailed information will help you in providing maximum input!
I live in a 3 bedroom end terraced house, which has a low pressure, gravity fed water system, whereby the water tanks are in the loft on the top floor, and the bathroom is on the same floor (top) as well. The house is 30 years old.
A few years ago, up in the loft, an Expansion Vessel was installed by British Gas (I think a tank may have been removed as a result, but you guys will know more about this than me! We had this done through British Gas' Home Care cover), and a Pressure Gauge was fitted in the Airing Cupboard where the hot water cylinder is. This did ensure that the boiler broke down less often.
The current boiler we have is a Micron Glow-Worm 50FF, which we've had for at least 10 years (Expansion Vessel was installed when we had this Boiler). The boiler has been ok, but in recent months when it is turned on, it does make bit more of a noise than normal (you know the sort of noise that indicates that is working away heating up the water). It seems to be working fine generally though, and I don't have any immediate concerns about it. Although, we have been thinking about having it replaced anyway if we could afford it, with a better quality boiler, and been having the feeling that this boiler may reach the end of it's shelf life in the next few years.
The Boiler when turned on, heats up the water and the gas radiators at the same time (so both connected to this Boiler. Sorry if I am stating the obvious!). There are 7 radiators in the house in total.
As part of the Govt's Affordable Warmth Scheme, where qualifying people in certain circumstances are entitled to have a new boiler installed free of charge, my mum is entitled to a new boiler as a result.
We made an application with Npower, and when their Energy Efficiency Assessor visited the property recently, after a thorough inspection, when we specifically discussed a new boiler, he said that it's best to replace this boiler with a new one, which will be more economical, and he would be recommending a Combi Condensing Boiler, but even if it is a conventional Boiler, it would definitely be a Condensing one. This is something we can discuss in greater detail with Npower's Technical Engineer at a future visit (as this guy isn't an expert in this area).
There are 3 adults that live in this house and normally use the hot water facility and shower (and radiators during winter) - me, my mum and my brother. Every few weeks my other 2 siblings and their partners will visit and may stay over for a few days.
At the moment, there is only one bathroom in the property (with toilet) that has a shower mixer. There is also a ground floor toilet too. In the future, we are thinking about installing an enclosed/suitable shower in the toilet, as there is sufficient space to do so.
There is no Immersion Heater at the moment in the house connected to the Cylinder. Never got round to it, although have been thinking about getting one installed!The green Cylinder is at least 15 years old, and it says "Albion Supalag Green" on it, and was installed by the council before we became homeowners.
Taking all the above into account, if given the option by Npower (or whichever company we end up having a the boiler replaced by), should we choose a Combi Boiler or a Conventional Boiler for our needs and best fit for this property please?
Thank you :smile5:
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