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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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Combi's and Approved Document L1
I had British Gas around last week to see if I could replace my
existing wall mounted boiler in the kitchen with a combi, allowing me to ditch the ShowerMax in the bathroom. They informed me that as of April this year, all new Combi's must be condensing, which require a 22mm feed. Unfortunately, my existing boiler has a 15mm feed, the 22mm feed into the house, post meter, drops into the concrete floor in the garage and at some stage before popping out the wall in the kitchen changes to 15mm. So it looks like I have two options, either: a) Replace boiler in same position - will require digging up of concrete ground floor to locate the start of the 15mm pipe. b) Move boiler to garage - will require lifting of upstairs' floor to redirect pipe work from bathroom. I believe both options will require a vertical extended flue over 2m, as distance of the existing/new horizontal flue terminal to neighbouring boundary is/would be 2.5m. Using the 'Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings' (http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/grou...s/page/odpm_b= reg_037022.pdf) I calculated the 'cost' of these options to be: a) Detached 590 + Extended flue 200 =3D 790 b) Detached 590 + New boiler position 350 + Extended flue 200 =3D 1140 Now, the guide states: "It should be noted that when considering boiler locations for the purposes of the assessment procedure, obstacles such as furniture and fitments must be ignored." My question is: Is my concrete ground floor considered as furniture or fitments? i.e. would the relocation to the garage be considered the "only feasible" option and with a cost 1000 would this mean I would qualify for a non-condensing boiler? I can't believe that the government expects anyone requiring a new boiler to have to replace it with a condensing boiler at any 'monetary cost' because the 'assessment cost' is below 1000. To add to the confusion, the British Gas guy was unaware of the new 2=2E5m minimum distance rule and still believed it to by 0.6m, he even checked the documentation on his laptop, which he informed me, made no reference to the new distance. This is a little worrying considering British Gas have been fitting condensing boilers under the new regulations for several months now. He also said they could fit a plume divertor terminal if it was going to be an issue, however, I believe this would still be too close to my property boundary? Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated as I am looking at having to layout =A33500 if I am forced to go down the condensing combi route. |