Urgent reply please if possible for 2 boiler system

Gamefreak501

Gamefreak501

Gamefreak501

Soldato
Joined
7 Aug 2003
Posts
8,030
Location
Bedfordshire
Hi everyone,

I've not posted on here a while but figured I really needed some help and advice.

I've been looking at properties to buy over the last 3 months and I came across one which fits in my budget and requires decorating but I have concerns about the central heating/boiler set up.

Presently, there are two boilers, each dating back between the 70s and 80s at least.

They're not very efficient so will need replacing.

However, one boiler is used to provide gas central heating and the other for instant hot water. From what I've been told, there is no hot water tank due to space constraints.

Before I look at offering on a property like this, how straightforward is this to turn in to a one boiler set up? Does anyone know how expensive this might be if they've had similar work done?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks and regards
 
no help at all here but....
where I rent they have decided they are going to install a separate boiler for the hot water and we must sacrifice the only storage cupboard we have for it...

I'm assuming there's a good reason for it but I can't think of one as the current system is fine, the shower goes cold after about 20 minutes etc but it's never been a problem for me.
 
I've installed double boilers but only as a duty and assist with a megaflow.

How large is the property, I wouldn't recommend a combi for anything over 2 bedrooms or multiple bathrooms.

Is there enough space to install a megaflow in place of one of the boilers and have one efficient boiler and HW tank?
 
Thanks for your very fast replies.

One boiler is in the bathroom the other in the kitchen.

It's an old 2 bedroom Terraced house; where you have the bathroom extended on the end of the kitchen.

I think if I got rid of one of the storage cupboards, I could have room for a tank, but I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to do this.

Also, the megaflow will probably have to go elsewhere because both boilers are wall mounted.

My main concerns are how high the bills will be and over time, or with the boilers failing, because if one goes, the other might not be too far away from failing (because of their ages)

Financially, am I be better off changing to one boiler? Could I be looking at a big bill to do this?

Thanks and regards.
 
Surely a single combi boiler will be sufficient for a 2 bedroom terrace house? I live in a 4 bed terrace, although there is only 2 of us live there, and our combi is fine for heating and central heating?
 
Change to one decent efficient combi and your bills will tumble.

I nursed an aging conventional boiler for 5 years thinking I was saving money but the gas bills have more than halved since I've changed it, it would have paid for itself by now.

You'll be OK with combi unless you're thinking of having a load of kids.
 
Thanks very much for all your very helpful replies.

I think there is enough space for the hot water tank. I asked a friend whose training to become a plumber he says it's a very old fashioned way of doing it and reckons £4-£6k which is quite a lot. But I've had my offer on the property beaten anyway, so back to the drawing board me thinks. But anything can happen!

If the higher offer falls through, I'll likely have a look at the cost between the two options though. A lot of the properties falling in my budget need a new boiler so I'm glad I've been given some advice on it.
 
The only time a hot water tank would be worth it is if the boiler fails and you have an immersion heater. But with a brand new boiler your chances of that happening should be slim. Go for a combi and save the space/expense of having a tank put in.

We've got a small (<30kw) combi that manages perfectly well for our 3 bed Victorian terrace.
 
We have a 30kw combi in out 3 bed semi and its great, we have an electric shower though but that's because it was in from when we had the old boiler and tank.
Ill probably jun the shower off the combi when this electric one packs in.

My folks have just had a 34kw boiler fitted to a large 4 bed semi with 2 bathrooms.
 
A combi boiler sounds good enough for a two-three bedroom terraced property that will fall in my budget.

I've heard they don't last as long but it's not all that different to other central heating systems.

My parents have a big hot water tank in an airing cupboard with a modern glow-worm boiler and I believe one or two cold water tanks in the loft; if I recall correctly. It's a 3 bedroom semi with a cloakroom and bathroom circa 1930s, but the cloakroom has an electric box shower in it hooked up to the water supply.
 
Gamefreak501 said:
My parents have a big hot water tank in an airing cupboard with a modern glow-worm boiler and I believe one or two cold water tanks in the loft; if I recall correctly. It's a 3 bedroom semi with a cloakroom and bathroom circa 1930s, but the cloakroom has an electric box shower in it hooked up to the water supply.
Click to expand...

The two cold water tanks will be because of having one for bathroom water, and one as a header tank for the central heating loop. A more modern sealed/pressurised central heating system does away with the central heating header tank you get in open/vented systems, and replaces it with an expansion vessel. (But obviously keeps the cold water tank for bathroom water).
 
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