End of life Greenslave - suggestions?

[John_Heaton]

quibbling about pennies when you going to have to pay out £s to get floor insulation, ufh, windows and walls insulated etc is the least of the issues, plus you still need some sort of backup now.

Good point and part of the reason I exposed my dithering to the masses, was to get clear concise replies <g>.

 

[lame plumber]

if you want a clear consise answer you need people on site to suggest ways ahead and quotes, a forum cant really do that for you

 

[John_Heaton]

Got to start somewhere, and I'd rather debate and become informed here, than with sales people over the phone. I cannot get onsite easily and I've always found professionals happy to chat about their trade. If I can eliminate the craziness from my plan (whatever that turns into) I see that as a good thing.

 

[John_Heaton]

So, if I install a new replacement oil boiler, is it better to go for a closed system with posh new thermal store plumbed with future changes in mind, or stick with a combi?

 

[lame plumber]

plan ahead

 

[John_Heaton]

Excellent idea. Can you help with the question I asked about the choice of an oil boiler type?

 

[kimbo]

If you were to get rid of the combi first and replace it with a condensing heat only boiler with an unvented cylinder, this would be the best system you could have.
The problems you are having with the current one is typical of one that age and indeed combis are more troublesome than ordinary boilers. The trouble with renting the property the tenants tend not to look after the boiler, they just run it until it packs up. I seem to remember seeing a comparison in an oil magazine of all the different options for heating compared to oil and considering the outlay of all the other options I think oil still comes out on top.

 

[kimbo]

To give you an example I look after some holiday cottages 3 have combis and 3 have heat only boilers. I have never been to any heat only boiler breakdowns but I have been to lots of breakdowns for the combis, the breakdowns are usually items that have failed that are peculiar to the combis, as you say the problems arrive on changeover, I do call outs at weekends and evenings in these cases if I am available.

 

[John_Heaton]

Well, thank you all for your input. I'm away now to learn about condensing heat only boilers with an unvented cylinder. Sounds a standard solution which is "always a good thing".

 

[kimbo]

I am near you if you want any advice.