Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Terry Casey wrote:
All comments gratefully received!

If you already have a storage system which you're happy with, fitting a
replacement boiler for that is not only going to save money, but be easier
than changing to a combi.

The problem may be finding an installer who does think of your needs and
likes, than just his own profit.


A personal observation going from a 1987 installed conventional system
in a (then) new 4 bed detached.

A WB 34KW Greenstar boiler is more than adequate and shows no sign of
struggling to meet the thermal demand for HW with multiple showers
operating.

A lot of pipework & HW cylinder was removed and the airing cupboard
recovered in full as storage. Roof insulation could now be improved as
no need to worry about the cisterns freezing.

No issues with leakage from (now) pressurised 30 year old HW/CH system
(8mm microbore). This was my biggest worry as the water pressure round
here is highish (3 bar).

The thermostatic shower valves and newer taps now operate correctly with
the higher pressure. It was a bit hit and miss before getting them
started enough to kick in the shower pump.

There is a noticable issue with HW water flow rate upstairs &
interaction between showers & filling the bath is a bit slow. This is
probably down to re-using the original 15mm pipe work. It would have
been better to have replaced this with 22mm.

Reliability OK so far 2 years in but needs paid annual inspection to
maintain the 7 year guarantee - the old Potterton Netaheat boiler needed
about £200 in DIY repair over 25 years (2 replacement fans), doesn't
look possible with this one.

Been a noticable drop in gas consumption but not huge as the property is
well insulated and the old boiler was not that bad (rated 69%).

HTH

Chris K