Quote:
|
Originally Posted by AndyHingston
Hi All,
Just stumbled across this site and read some really useful threads.
I am in the middle of considering which type of boiler to choose for our 4 bed bungalow.
Existing System - Ideal Elan, cylinder in loft only used for DHW. Heating is via Economy 7...not good !!
At our previous property we comissioned British Gas to install a Worcester 28CDi Combi, which we were very happy with, although the drop in hot water flow rate did take some getting used to! As I need to fit this system myself, I believe that a Combi is the best choice due to my limited knowledge of heating systems, although a Mechanical Engineer by trade.
The flow rate has been a major decision in my replacement boiler choice and at first I was considering a boiler with an internal store to get around the long delay in hot water reaching the tap and an increased flow rate.
After careful consideration I was opting for the Baxi Combi Maxflow WM which has a 54lt store and can deliver 16lt/min until the store has depleted. However, I guess this flowrate then drops whilst the store is replenished and I have been unable to locate the flowrate.
Further investigation revealed that the high end Condensing Boilers are offering 16lt/min delivery all the time (at the standard 35 degree temp rise) and in particular the Baxi 133HE Plus Condensing Combi Boiler looks a good choice and will give me a far more efficient system.
I guess this choice will not solve the initial delay in receiving hot water?
Some of the threads have indicated that there is specialist equipment required for fitting condensing boilers, is this true?
Any help would be greatly appreciated in helping me choose the correct system.
Regards
Andy
|
I prefer the Worcester Greenstar 440 for a storage combi, because it has the thermal store. Worcester and baxi took the opposite approaches. The thermal store is more likely to keep up with demand.
Also consider for excellent value for money the Buderus 600 28c. No real storage but a small amount. I fit one of these and can't wait to sell another they are perfect machines. If you are an engineer, trust me this is an engineer's boiler. Bosch now own Buderus and Worcester won't allow them to quote the true flow rate of this boiler (13.1 ltr at 35 degrees). The other boiler I was fitting a lot of is the Baxi 105e, the hot water on the buderus is far superior, it is rigth there straight away and it never fades, this is quite uncharacteristic of combis. I have a hot water cylinder and advocate that system, but if I wanted to do away with it, I would be perfectly happy with the Buderus. It's a large beast, marvelously engineered and constructed. They also now do a wireles programable/thermostat with eco features for only 50 something pounds.
Only one gripe about the Buderus, you have to set up the gas and air mixture, for which you need a very sensetive manometer. A U guage won't do. However, on the one I fitted this was cock on. The Worcester boilers of this type don't require the installer to set them up. I think Buderus is just covering themselves, in all likelyhood it's set up fine in the factory. I know installers who don't have the right equipment, they just fill in the sort of figures the manufacturer is looking to see (she don't tell anyone that's going on).
I hope that helps.
If you can afford it, get S plan controls and a new fast recovery cylinder and a condensing system boiler. If you are poor get a Buderus 600 28c.
Paul