In article ews.net,
Doctor Drivel wrote:
Things have moved on in 20 years - the introduction of the plate heat
exchanger to domestic appliances as led to great leaps in instant hot
water in combis and heat banks. Most boilers sold now are combis - a
FACT. About 1 million boiers are sold each year with combis being 60
to 70% of sales. The "traditional" boiler now is the combi.

Because it's cheap and cheap to install - as well as possibly saving some
space. But this certainly doesn't make it the ideal solution. As the poor
performance of *the majority* of combi installations, hot water flow wise,
bears out - no matter how you rant and rave about 'high flow' types.
Because those who can only afford a standard combi installation just ain't
going to find the money for a better one. And that's where the cost
effectiveness of a storage system comes in, because it often already
exists.

Mains pressure hot water is the prime way ahead, if the mains pressure
and flow is good enough a mains pressure system is the first choice,
whether combi (of various types), heat bank, thermal store or unvented
cylinder.

Oh sure. Where turning on any tap in the house - or flushing a loo -
effects the hot water flow. *Very* high tech.

Combis (the floor mounted jobs) can even supply up to 3
baths. Instant hot water doesn't cover all as it is mains pressure and
flow dependent, so the older methods of stored water have to be covered
too. That is the way it is. That is way it is going. An up to date
FAQ must cover the choices merely stating what is available. It doesn't
it whitters on about yesterdays technology and methods and approaches.

The FAQ gives the basics as apply to most. For expensive high tech
alternatives you can always ask here - as no FAQ will ever be bang up to
date.

I have highlighted some relevant innovations that are highly useful.
Ed, no doubt has never seen an Rinnai or Andrews multi-point, so he
dismisses them out of hand - not down the local merchants guv so can't
be right. These high flow Japanese appliances are a God send to some
homes being fitted outside if you want and doing two bathroom too -
superb for increasingly popular multi-jet showers (even B&Q sell them).

Just how many want two boilers with the initial costs and servicing
requirements that brings? Again, a specialist requirement and not really
neccessary for a DIY FAQ.

Stay in a multi-jet for not too long and you will run out of hot water
on a normal cylinder, a Rinnai will supply the needs, and cheaper than
massive space taking unvented cylinders with their £100 annual service
charge - which Ed thinks is not relevant, yes. That is just two
innovations that have come to the UK recently, which the FAQ does not
even mention.

You as usual neglect to give any guide cost as to your latest pet
discovery while quoting 'firm' figures for those you don't approve of.

For dismissing the combi myths and giving the levels available look at
below. I have periodically posted a comprehensive post on combis on the
group, that could go in the FAQ.

[snip the usual claptrap]

--
*Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.