Will changing an old boiler in the garage speed up hot water getting to the taps?

[tommyg01]

Hi All,

I moved into a new home last July and thought the old Potterton boiler was broke, because hot water could take minutes (often several), to reach the taps in the house. The pipework goes up into the loft and then back down into the main house. If I change the old boiler for a top of the range new boiler, will this increase the speed the hot water reaches the taps? If yes, what power/make of boiler would I need?

TIA

Tom

 

[steadyon]

If you replace the current boiler with a more powerful one of the same type, then the answer is NO. The boiler indirectly heats the water in your hot water cylinder, from where it flows to the hot water outlets by gravity. Changing the boiler won't change the length of that hot water circuit.

If its really an issue, rather than a nuisance which you could get used to, I'd suggest explaining the problem to a heating engineer and ask for a quotation for solutions. Could be as (relatively) simple as installing a pump and loop of pipe to keep the water flowing to the taps hot. Could be as complicated as a new boiler, central heating and hot water system.

 

[tolly]

Hi All,

I moved into a new home last July and thought the old Potterton boiler was broke, because hot water could take minutes (often several), to reach the taps in the house. The pipework goes up into the loft and then back down into the main house. If I change the old boiler for a top of the range new boiler, will this increase the speed the hot water reaches the taps? If yes, what power/make of boiler would I need?

TIA

Tom

What type of boiler is the old potterton, if its heat only (conventional) Then changing it for a new heat only boiler will make no difference in how long it takes for HW to come through.

Although it should not take several minutes to come through though.

 

[tommyg01]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was hoping a new boiler would have done the job. The loop idea sounds interesting. I could cope with the delay , but the wife can't. Our previous flat had the boiler in a cupboard inches away from the kitchen sink, so she was spoilt.

Tom

 

[tommyg01]

What type of boiler is the old potterton, if its heat only (conventional) Then changing it for a new heat only boiler will make no difference in how long it takes for HW to come through.

Although it should not take several minutes to come through though.

It's a combi, if that's what you mean?

Tom

 

[tolly]

It's a combi, if that's what you mean?

Tom

I was referring to heat only boilers where you would have a separate hot water cylinder. If its a combi you wont be able to install a secondary return (HW loop). A new bigger combi could give you a better DWH flow rate meaning it would take a shorter time for the hot water to come through.

Also, im going to guess the DHW pipe that goes up to the loft and back down for your HW services is 22mm, changing this pipe for a new smaller 15mm pipe would again mean it takes less time for the HW to arrive at the tap whilst having no adverse effects on flow rates.

 

[Whyme]

Thats the disadvantage of having a combi in a garage, the best place for them regarding hot water is in the old cylinder cupboard. Shorter pipe runs thats why the cylinders usually in the middle of the house or close to draw offs..

 

[tommyg01]

Yes the pipework going into the loft is thin copper (I assume 15mm) and it joins onto much thicker white plastic piping (I thinks it's push and fit?). I could only replace half the pipework though, as some of it runs under the floor of the loft conversion, before dropping back down into the kitchen. At least it sounds like a better boiler would help.

Thanks

Tom

 

[tommyg01]

Thats the disadvantage of having a combi in a garage, the best place for them regarding hot water is in the old cylinder cupboard. Shorter pipe runs thats why the cylinders usually in the middle of the house or close to draw offs..

Tell me about it!!!!! That's where it used to be before the previous owners (would you believe they were heating engineers) moved it to the garage.

Tom

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Needs re positioned (the boiler)

 

[tommyg01]

Needs re positioned (the boiler)

Not that easy, as the cupboard it was in is part of the bedroom in the loft and kitchen is brand new, with no room for a boiler.

Tom

 

[clarky101]

Room to stick it in the loft with a vertical flue...??

 

[tommyg01]

Room to stick it in the loft with a vertical flue...??

As the pipework runs that way anyhow, that's not a bad idea.

Thanks

Tom

 

[tommyg01]

As the pipework runs that way anyhow, that's not a bad idea.

Thanks

Tom

The more I think about it Clarky, the better your idea sounds.

Tom

 

[clarky101]

Nice one, loft needs to be boarded, with a light & a gas control in the cupboard below, timer & a fill up point handy so you don't have to keep going up there & jobs a good un....

 

[drip-dry]

does sound like to much of a hot water pipe run,so if you can not shorten,reposition boiler in roof and shorten that way...fit controls and any filling points in an accessible point out of the roof space though

 

[tommyg01]

Actually Clarky and Drip Dry, it's even easier than that. I live in a chalet bungalow, so access to the loft space is through a full size door from the loft conversion into the eaves. The loft is already boarded with lighting, with room to stand up, so it should be fairly straight forward. Many thanks guys.

Tom

 

[drip-dry]

Actually Clarky and Drip Dry, it's even easier than that. I live in a chalet bungalow, so access to the loft space is through a full size door from the loft conversion into the eaves. The loft is already boarded with lighting, with room to stand up, so it should be fairly straight forward. Many thanks guys.

Tom

sounds like ya got it sussed Tom....go for it...

:sorcerer:

 

[clarky101]

Nice one...

 

[stevetheplumber]

usually the hardest part is getting the gas up to the loft

 

[tommyg01]

usually the hardest part is getting the gas up to the loft

Even in a bungalow?

Tom

 

[clarky101]

usually the hardest part is getting the gas up to the loft

or the condense pipe....