Combi boiler, or condensing?

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 13:15

Looking to get a shower fitted in our upstairs toilet, which means that we're looking at removing the water tank to make space for a shower cubicle.

Our choices currently are move the water tank to the loft, probably at quite some expense, or ditch the water tank and get a combi boiler.

There's two of us in a 4 bedroom house, but I want to to this in a way that wouldn't damage the appeal of the house. Given that this is really a family house we live in, is a combi boiler better or worse than a condensing boiler?

I know condensing boilers are more efficient, but it depends on usage. So in certain situations a condensing boiler could be better than a combi, and vice versa.

Our gas bill is tiny, we only have hot water on for an hour in the morning inthe summer, then a few hours of heating in the evening. Well below average I'd imagine.

What are your initial feelings?

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 13:27

These can be had for about £1k. Got a mate who knows a plumber to get us mates rates (any idea how much fitting would be otherwise?).

http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/boilers/gas-boilers/greenstar-34cdi-classic

The Valliant certainly looks a little more epxensive. Are the Worcester Bosch a comparable product?

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 13:43

Same place. Gonna be in the kitchen but hidden by a cupboard.

What exactly does the 15ltr storage tank give you? A bit of instant hot water before the boiler kicks in properly?

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 14:19

How much would I notice not having a storage tank built in? Do these things work on a timer, or do they just kick in as and when? If I went for a boiler without one and then got in the shower in the morning, how long would I have to wait before it got hot?

Seems to be about £300 extra over the Worcester Bosch offerings to have a Vaillant with storage tank built in.

Looking at the video guide on youtube of the Vaillant one with the storage tank - it looks ruddy massive!

I don't think we'd be having it for that reason alone, we'd have to move it out of the kitchen.

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 14:38

My Dad is being his usual cheery self and telling me not to bother.

Can you run a bath off a combi boiler?

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 15:07

What about running a bath? Any issues with that?

alexthecheese · 20 Sep 2013 at 15:52

Yeah, sounds like condensing is really actually the way to go. The combis are designed only for 17litres of water a minute, to fill a bath that'd take about 15 minutes! Is that right? Doesn't sound much use.

Really just want to get rid of the hot water tank. Have seen that you can put it in the loft, but you need the cold water tank 1.5m above the hot water tank, is that right?

Just moving the tank to the loft would be enough, as it'd mean the space would be gained from the bathroom.

Is it realistic to expect to be able to put the hot water tank in the loft, and put the cold water tank right in the rafters?