combi boiler or solar panels

AHarvey

AHarvey

AHarvey

Soldato
Joined
6 Mar 2008
Posts
10,092
Location
Stoke area
Hello,

before we moved into our house the previous owner told us they had no idea how long the boiler had been in but that it was always a bit tempramental. Things like needing the reset pushing once every couple of days at least and a fan inside replacing every year. So we knew that it could go at anytime.

We, I think it is on its way out. There was a loud bang last night which I couldn't figure out where it had come from. An hour later the combi starts making a silly noises and a high pitched whine. Now it could just be that the fan has gone again but I thought it would be wise to start researching which way to go.

Should I get a new combi or look at solar heating our water needs?

I am sure both are very expensive but I was wondering if anyone here had suggestions or experiences about either new system? Pros and cons etc with any adivce on general pricing. Its a 3 bed semi.

One thing I was thinking of is replacing the radiators with under floor heating upstairs at the same time, then doing it downstairs in several years when I have to redecorate.

Does anyone know if there are grants etc available for going solar and if so, do they really help?

Right, off to do some research myself!
 
Although solar power is a nice idea I think it's still way too expensive to have fitted, the panels I looked at recently were about £500 and supplied enough power to light a few bulbs.

Combi boiler would be much more efficient IMO and vastly cheaper.

80w solar panel £430 I'm sure you'd need a fair few.

vs approx £850 for a new combi.

I'll be honest though I know little about how many panels you would realistically need.
 
You still need a boiler with solar panels.

if you can afford both solar panels will reduce running costs, but that's all they do.
 
A 1x1m solar power panel generates on average with current technology about 100 watts of power. You would be better looking at black panels to help supplement your hot water for baths etc and a combi for normal heating plus main hot water supply. Will save you some money over the year but not sure how much it would be.

SCM
 
Steeps said:
don't solar panels heat water, wheras PV panels generate electric?
Click to expand...

Yes, people are getting confused by two different technologies. You'd be heating the water directly in this instance.

Nobody in their right mind would use personal solar panels for a heating element.

Burnsy
 
Sweetloaf, SCM, you're thinking of the wrong type of solar. We're talking about solar thermal not PV. Solar thermal is great, very cost effective - but doesn't replace your boiler, just means you use less gas.

The underfloor heading is a nice idea - maybe also consider a ground source heat pump.
 
reading around a few sites they say a unit can provide ~60% of your hot water needs, but this will differ between summer and winter and how much heating you need to use.

It will need to run along side a regular boiler.
 
Just get a combi boiler and fit brand new slim rads, you will feel the difference, underfloor heating is not really that good and a lot of hassle and expensive to fit.

We had a Combi and some new rads fitted, think it was a winchester combi and its very hot, was about £900,

Plus, I heard it takes a good 10 years for a solar panel to pay for return a profit.
 
Get the combi boiler first, then contact your energy company to get them to insulate the roof and walls if they haven't been done already then consider the Solar option.
 
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