Combi boiler in the loft

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Looking to change our boiler to combi boiler.
We have been quoted for keeping in the same place (downstairs in kitchen) for £3500 or moving it into the loft for £3900. Both included removing hot water tank and both tanks in the loft.

Not sure about moving it into the loft, any advantages for it ? Also boiler both plumbers have quoted are Ideal Vogue Max 32, any thoughts on this model.....we have always had Valiant but they both said Ideal are good as don't pay for the name and they come with 12 warranty.
 
Thanks all for the comments.
Space in the kitchen is not the issue, we will cut of that part of the kitchen and turn it into utility room. We are getting extension done so will gain some space from there to add to what space is left from original kitchen.
As some of you have said I'm just worried about if there is a leak , also water pressure.
Also we want a combi as makes life easier compared to current system. We gain space by not having water cylinder in cupboard and ones in the loft. Also don't have to worry about running out of hot water.
Ideally would like to go down heat pump root bit prices are just ridiculous at the moment.
 
You'll have to have a tank put in if you go to a heat pump later on. Very short sighted especially if heat pump was even a possibility.
Got space in the garage for all that if do decide to go heat pump in the future. At current prices I'm not interested, it's a rip off.
 
Fine as long as you have good access for servicing.

Regarding pressure etc, you'll soon find out if it's working or not due to pressure loss. They also have safety valves so nothing to worry about. The boiler will stop working on the heating side of it doesn't have pressure, so just pop up in the loft then. Nothing is fool proof but the reality is boiler don't leak that often, and in theory a once a year service should be enough and then a quick check every time you enter the loft.

The loft will still require pipework to be insulated. No need to worry about heat in the loft either won't have an impact on the boiler.

If your having large scale works done look to oversize the radiators and install an opentherm thermostat, this will enable the system to work at a much lower temperature and use less gas.

Make sure the boiler isn't over sized for the property when switching to combi boiler installers just tend to throw over sized units in.

I wouldn't personally go with ideal, but at the end of the day probably best to stick with what your installer suggests as they will likely be servicing it and know the intricacies of that brand and model, and sometimes they are affiliated installers which helps the warranty process aswell should you need it.
Think will try and keep it downstairs as just seems easier and closer to the gas outlet.
Never heard of Ideal before this, always had Valiant.
They quotes 32kw model, it's 3 bedroom detached house with one bathroom that will have shower and bath in it. There are currently 9 medium sized radiators but will be getting extension done so 32kw sounds about right.
 
As someone else has already said, when you're not allowed to replace the boiler in a few years you'll have to pay again to get a tank put back in. If you're really wanting to plan ahead, pay to get the tank moved to the garage now, and the heat pump cost will be much cheaper when the time comes.
You know it's proposed and not actually been set, also it only applies to new builds.
 
Very inefficient. I have a 22kwh system boiler. Your heating bills may go up as the boiler is sized for hot water/showers and everything else is an after thought.

For combi boiler above article states for 3 bed 1 bath/shower recommended is 29kw.
 
Just echo'ing what has been said about oversizing the rads, and using opentherm compatible thermostats. We overized all our rads, and worked off a flow temperature of 30c (iirc). This means that the boiler is always able to be condensing, and the house remains a comfortable temperature. The radiators never got hot (unless we've been away, and the temperature has dropped massively, then the flow temp goes way up for bringing the house back up to temperature), this means you can't really tell when the heating comes on and there's no overshoot that Ive seen with others.

This also means that if I were to swap it for a heatpump in the future, the rads are already sized for it.
Will do radiator oversize for sure, that's what we did when we had extension done on our last house.
We have Tado smart thermostat we used in our last house, I'm not sure if it's opentherm compatible.....think it might be though.
 
Ideals are decent but the after care isn’t the best. I fitted a Logic Max for someone a few years back and the pump went. He waited nearly a week for Ideal to send an engineer out. In February that’s not great. Vaillant usually have someone out the next day. Ive had them out the same day before for a warranty call.
That's extremely useful information, thank you !!! Will insist on Valiant
 
I've been gas registered for 30yrs. The FB gas chat group for registered installers are constantly bitching about Ideal boilers. Our company wouldn't touch them with a barge pole for an installation. If you want a cheap boiler, designed on the cheap, then that's fine. Otherwise invest in something better.

Nothing is going to change anytime soon, so correctly fitting a combi is a perfectly fine and efficient solution for the expected lifespan of the appliance. And in 10 to 15 years time, I'm sure tech will be better with the greener/efficient alternatives, to then look into those systems, without having to rush in now and make do with the installation requirements and comfort levels.
Thank you, great feedback !
 
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