On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 07:41:26 -0800, eithera wrote:

Which/ what size Combi boiler folks would recommend for a 5 bedroom
(loft converted) terrace house? And could it be fitted with perfectly
working and about 6 years old existing rads and pipes? Many thanks.

Specifically to this post:
Combi boilers are sized for the HW output. Even a 24kW unit will likely be
adequate for you heating needs.

Professionally I would query your choice of a combi on the face value of
your post but it may be that there are some other (unstated) reasons for
that choice.

Even if the previous heating system has bad corrosion problems you will be
OK to reuse the pipes and rads after proper flushing and dosing with
corrosion inhibitor.

In general:

This question is truly coming up very frequently (more than once a week
I'd reckon). It comes in all flavours such as "is make X any good", "why
shouldn't I replace my existing boiler with a replica?", "is boiler X OK
for a n-bedroom house?".

I'm thinking of a FAQ here along the lines of...

Link to the existing FAQ on boiler and heating system types for an over
view.
General discussion of why boiler choice is so anxiety prone.
General discussion of modern versus tradition designs.
Spell it out: You-get-what-you-pay-for.
What you get if you buy on price.
What you get if you pay for the top of the range.
Good reasons why your fitter might recommend X.
Bad reasons why your fitter might recommend X.
Spot the pricing structure and make it work for you.
How to check your boiler can be fitted - before buying it.
Stock faults and some manufacturers.

The aim is not to recommend a particular model, or to slag-off/worship
particular manufacturers but to layout tools to assist in the
decision.

I don't think "I believe that solution X can be made to fit every
circumstance." would be useful.

Any takers for a cooperative effort here?


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html