Replace old combi boiler?

Reply to the comment left by John Frith at 05/12/2023 - 14:55
So this makes total sense to me but what was the cost of a hydrogen-ready boiler? Was it approximately £2,200?

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 05/12/2023 - 16:07
I believe the cost is the same. I got the impression it's a relatively minor modification. Or rather it's been absorbed within inflation. My personal observation is that the trades used in maintaining property put prices up by much more than headline inflation. By my reckoning it's about 50% in the last 18 months!

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 05/12/2023 - 16:07
Full hydrogen boilers are not, as yet, available, I believe. All boilers made since 1996 will burn a 20% hydrogen mix, which I what I presume your thinking of. I think we are some years off a full hydrogen gas grid, if ever.

Go with gas. I choose GlowWorm boilers with a ten year warranty. I have had two fitted to tenants’ homes and they love them.

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 05/12/2023 - 10:56
From my EPC.
Property built in 2007 the gas boiler was condemned because it had a common flue. No suitable outside wall so had to have an electric boiler fitted a 6 KW Heatrae Sadia model. My EPC is C rated with a score of 78. Comments were:
Main heating Boiler and radiators, electric Poor
Main heating control Programmer, room thermostat and TRVs Good
Hot water From main system Poor

Actually because all the outside walls are south facing the heating costs are quite modest because of solar gain. But aspect is completely ignored in EPC calculations

OTHER FLATS IN THE BLOCK WITH GAS BOILERS WITH FLUES MOVED TO OUTSIDE WALLS ARE ALL 'B' RATED

Landlord and registered gas installer that does many landlords safety inspections.

Don't be too sucked by the warranty length unless you are prepared for bigger bills on servicing. After the part L amendments the system water quality must be checked every year, could mean a flush and chemical change regularly if the radiators are old.

Some manufacturers are fine with a combustion analysis and gas rate for 'interim' service, (Which is all British Gas do anyway). Vaillant, Worcester etc state this, Ideal on the other hand do not and imply it is down to the engineer.

The difference can be your £40 landlord check and north of £200 for a system cleanse and full strip down service including the relevant seal kits, depending on the boiler.

Warranty will be invalid unless done to their spec. which can be a grey area.

You dont always get what you pay for either. Main Eco Compact is the same as a Baxi 6/800 but for less money and shorter warranty. Vaillant and Glow Worm do this as well, same product, different badge.

With few exceptions stainless steel if far better for heat exchangers than aluminium. Had some not covered under warranty that corroded, leaked and were not economically worth fixing.

Check exactly what is / not covered under warranty and the service expectations. Sometimes it's worth spending more, but many times not considering what you have to additionally spend to maintain your cover.

A boiler with a 5 year warranty is not more likely to break down than the 'same model / different badge' that is covered for 10yrs and much more expensive. Also an apparent 'budget' model is no longer 'budget' if you have to throw a lot at it because it is harder to work on and spares are pricey.

Get a local gas engineer that you trust and work with him. (Parts on van, specific boiler knowledge etc.) They will roll with what they are comfortable with if they know they have repeat business and have to come back. Too many just throw them in and then give it 'I only install...' if things go South. This is particularly the case on grant work who know they will never be coming back.

There was a post on here a while ago where an EPC assessor said that as of December 2023, Electric only properties would be downgraded 13 points. ( working from memory).

The crazy situation is that the Gov want us all to go carbon zero but EPC's are predicated on the cost of running the property. With Gas being 25% of electric, cost wise, EPC and zero carbon are diametrically opposed. Total lunacy!

Go for a quality gas boiler, with Baxi being my preference picking a model with long warranty (7/10 years). New boiler installs should have magnetic filter included and the system flushed as part of commissioning. And be thankful not operating in Scotland where there is a fresh consultation proposal to banish fossil fuel heating and being able to renew boilers at end of their life!

Reply to the comment left by Trapped Landlord at 05/12/2023 - 13:42
That's very good price! Are you able to share information where you get that from?

One thing - If you currently have a gas boiler that also has a hot water cylinder. I would NOT take out the water cylinder and fit a combi boiler, The hot water cylinder will almost certainly has an immersion heater built in so if the boiler breaks down hot water can still be made by switching the immersion heater on. Also there can be issues with water pressure with combi boilers.