I have a boiler: Glow-Worm Fuel Saver(?) 45000BTU (AFAICR)

It's a fine little beast and has done us proud but

It's now over 12 years old
It soots up every 6 years and I have just serviced it again - it's getting a
little knocked about.
I've replaced 3 thermocouples and a couple of over temperature interlock
sensors
We have also built an extension and it roars along at full blast more than
it used to with the extra load.

I feel the time has come to replace it. I have no desire to change the
system so it would be a straightforward replacment for one that's:

a little over 45000BTU (or whatever the kW are now)
400mm wide balanced flue (as now)

What boiler would the panel recommend? Although the previous one was a DIY
job (apart from the gas connection and testing), I may get a frinedly corgi
I know to quote for this one (OT - sorry).

Make, condensing (I assume) or not?

Cheers

--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)

In article ,
Bob Mannix wrote:
It's now over 12 years old It soots up every 6 years and I have just
serviced it again

Expect some IMM invective. Ineffective invective, probably.

--
*Strip mining prevents forest fires.

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

"Bob Mannix" wrote in message
...
I have a boiler: Glow-Worm Fuel Saver(?) 45000BTU (AFAICR)

It's a fine little beast and has done us proud but

It's now over 12 years old
It soots up every 6 years and I have just serviced it again - it's getting
a
little knocked about.
I've replaced 3 thermocouples and a couple of over temperature interlock
sensors
We have also built an extension and it roars along at full blast more than
it used to with the extra load.

I feel the time has come to replace it. I have no desire to change the
system so it would be a straightforward replacment for one that's:

a little over 45000BTU (or whatever the kW are now)
400mm wide balanced flue (as now)

What boiler would the panel recommend? Although the previous one was a DIY
job (apart from the gas connection and testing), I may get a frinedly
corgi
I know to quote for this one (OT - sorry).

Make, condensing (I assume) or not?

Cheers

--

Bob, you don't say what your DHW is. A Glow Worm condensing boiler is a
good boiler (s steel exchanger), as is the W-B Greenstar (ally exchanger).
Paul likes the Buderus, so do I. The high end range is Eco-Hometec,
Viesmann, etc.

These boilers modulate typically between 5kW to 24kW, so when reheating the
cylinder and starting up in the morning the system will take all that is
thrown at it. You will appreciate the fast start up. When up to temp, the
boiler backs off to far lower output than the Fuel Saver.

I assume you have 22mm flow and return pipes. No problem. A condensing
boiler can operate on smaller pipe to deliver more same heat than a
non-condensing boiler, which would need 28mm pipes.

What about a quick recovery coil cylinder (you can downsize the existing
cylinder) and making the system a priority system. You will appreciate the
zippo heated hot water.



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On Thu, 10 Mar 2005 18:17:09 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Bob Mannix wrote:
It's now over 12 years old It soots up every 6 years and I have just
serviced it again

Expect some IMM invective. Ineffective invective, probably.

I thought that he serviced plumbing..... as it were...



--

..andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

"Doctor Evil" wrote in message
...

"Bob Mannix" wrote in message
...
I have a boiler: Glow-Worm Fuel Saver(?) 45000BTU (AFAICR)

It's a fine little beast and has done us proud but

It's now over 12 years old
It soots up every 6 years and I have just serviced it again - it's
getting
a
little knocked about.
I've replaced 3 thermocouples and a couple of over temperature interlock
sensors
We have also built an extension and it roars along at full blast more
than
it used to with the extra load.

I feel the time has come to replace it. I have no desire to change the
system so it would be a straightforward replacment for one that's:

a little over 45000BTU (or whatever the kW are now)
400mm wide balanced flue (as now)

What boiler would the panel recommend? Although the previous one was a
DIY
job (apart from the gas connection and testing), I may get a frinedly
corgi
I know to quote for this one (OT - sorry).

Make, condensing (I assume) or not?

Cheers

--

Bob, you don't say what your DHW is. A Glow Worm condensing boiler is a
good boiler (s steel exchanger), as is the W-B Greenstar (ally exchanger).
Paul likes the Buderus, so do I. The high end range is Eco-Hometec,
Viesmann, etc.

These boilers modulate typically between 5kW to 24kW, so when reheating
the
cylinder and starting up in the morning the system will take all that is
thrown at it. You will appreciate the fast start up. When up to temp,
the
boiler backs off to far lower output than the Fuel Saver.

I assume you have 22mm flow and return pipes. No problem. A condensing
boiler can operate on smaller pipe to deliver more same heat than a
non-condensing boiler, which would need 28mm pipes.

What about a quick recovery coil cylinder (you can downsize the existing
cylinder) and making the system a priority system. You will appreciate the
zippo heated hot water.

Well i'm just about to have a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 28 HE system boiler
fitted. If you ask me the same question in a few months...hopefully i'll
recommend this boiler.





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Bob Mannix wrote:

I have a boiler: Glow-Worm Fuel Saver(?) 45000BTU (AFAICR)

I replaced my Fuelsaver F last year (was about 45 or 55K BTU, can't
remember which). My one was not a system boiler though, pump etc was all
external.

It's a fine little beast and has done us proud but

It's now over 12 years old
It soots up every 6 years and I have just serviced it again - it's getting a
little knocked about.
I've replaced 3 thermocouples and a couple of over temperature interlock
sensors

It will probably keep going for a good few years yet...

We have also built an extension and it roars along at full blast more than
it used to with the extra load.

I feel the time has come to replace it. I have no desire to change the
system so it would be a straightforward replacment for one that's:

a little over 45000BTU (or whatever the kW are now)
400mm wide balanced flue (as now)

Not sure if it as much of a problem with system boilers, but I wanted to
replace my one with a combi, and found it quite difficult to track down
many that were narrow enough to fit in the gap vacated by the dinky
Fuelsaver. If you realy need it to fit in 400mm that will eliminate a
good number of the usual suspects. In the end I went for an Ideal Isar
which is not much bigger than the Gloworm and needs practically no
clearance space round it. There is a system version called the Icos.

What boiler would the panel recommend? Although the previous one was a DIY
job (apart from the gas connection and testing), I may get a frinedly corgi
I know to quote for this one (OT - sorry).

Pleased with mine so far, but then its has only been in about a year so
hard to say what the long term prognosis will be like. Very easy to fit
and commission BTW.

If you are staying in the house then you might as well go for a
condenser....

--
Cheers,

John.

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"Doctor Evil" wrote in message
...


Bob, you don't say what your DHW is. A Glow Worm condensing boiler is a
good boiler (s steel exchanger), as is the W-B Greenstar (ally exchanger).
Paul likes the Buderus, so do I. The high end range is Eco-Hometec,
Viesmann, etc.

These boilers modulate typically between 5kW to 24kW, so when reheating
the
cylinder and starting up in the morning the system will take all that is
thrown at it. You will appreciate the fast start up. When up to temp,
the
boiler backs off to far lower output than the Fuel Saver.

I assume you have 22mm flow and return pipes. No problem. A condensing
boiler can operate on smaller pipe to deliver more same heat than a
non-condensing boiler, which would need 28mm pipes.

What about a quick recovery coil cylinder (you can downsize the existing
cylinder) and making the system a priority system. You will appreciate the
zippo heated hot water.


Thank you (and others) for the named suggestions. I am more than happy with
the existing cylinder/airing cupboard/back up immersion heater arrangements
(which suit us fine) so I was just looking for a straight boiler
replacement. Our hot water supplies are adequate unless the heating load is
very high, so a larger capacity boiler would be enough for me. You are
correct in your assumption that the boiler pipes are 22mm.

It's probably the case (see another post) the existing one would keep going
a while yet but I don't reckon it owes me anything (I fitted it myself apart
from the gas) and I was thinking along the lines of a modulating condensing
boiler.

Cheers to all,


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)

"John Rumm" wrote in message
...
Bob Mannix wrote:

I have a boiler: Glow-Worm Fuel Saver(?) 45000BTU (AFAICR)

I replaced my Fuelsaver F last year (was about 45 or 55K BTU, can't
remember which). My one was not a system boiler though, pump etc was all
external.

Ah yes. My mistake careless thoughts and typing. Mine isn't actually a
"system" boiler I had in my mind the desire to keep the existing "system"
and replace the boiler and used the word inappropriately. It's a standard
external pump set up. Thanks for the suggestions.

Bob

"Bob Mannix" wrote in message
...

"John Rumm" wrote in message
...
Bob Mannix wrote:

I have a boiler: Glow-Worm Fuel Saver(?) 45000BTU (AFAICR)

I replaced my Fuelsaver F last year (was about 45 or 55K BTU, can't
remember which). My one was not a system boiler though, pump etc was all
external.

Ah yes. My mistake careless thoughts and typing. Mine isn't actually a
"system" boiler I had in my mind the desire to keep the existing "system"
and replace the boiler and used the word inappropriately. It's a standard
external pump set up. Thanks for the suggestions.

Bob

You need a "heating" boiler, not a system boiler.


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In article ,
Bob Mannix wrote:
Ah yes. My mistake careless thoughts and typing. Mine isn't actually a
"system" boiler I had in my mind the desire to keep the existing "system"
and replace the boiler and used the word inappropriately. It's a standard
external pump set up. Thanks for the suggestions.

Think the old name for yours is a 'basic electrics' boiler.

I can see the attraction of a system one for installers - more profit for
less work. And of course it can save some space.

But if you're happy with external pump and valves etc, this seems to be a
more sensible option as you then aren't tied to one maker's spares, and
are likely to be easier to work on when required.

--
*If all is not lost, where the hell is it?

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

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Bob Mannix wrote:

Ah yes. My mistake careless thoughts and typing. Mine isn't actually a
"system" boiler I had in my mind the desire to keep the existing
"system"
and replace the boiler and used the word inappropriately. It's a
standard
external pump set up. Thanks for the suggestions.

....he is at ir again folks....yes read this....

Think the old name for yours is a 'basic electrics' boiler.

....no it isn't.....the rest is snipped to ease you the pain of reading
it....



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Bob Mannix wrote:

Ah yes. My mistake careless thoughts and typing. Mine isn't actually a
"system" boiler I had in my mind the desire to keep the existing "system"
and replace the boiler and used the word inappropriately. It's a standard
external pump set up. Thanks for the suggestions.

Ah right, thought that may be the case. The Icos is still a contender
though since there is a heating only version that is actually smaller
than the fuelsaver... you will need to shift the flue position up a foot
or so because the flue is a concentric job that comes out of the top of
the boiler rather than the exit from 2/3rds up the back type on the
fuelsaver. CH pipework still exits at the top ;-)

Details he

http://www.idealboilers.com/cards/Co...20-%20icos.pdf
http://www.idealboilers.com/pdf/Icos...nst%20serv.pdf

--
Cheers,

John.

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| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
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