Firebird Popular 120 Replacement?

Shefwedfan

I know probably been asked 100 times but was wondering could I get some quick advice. Looking at buying a house, viewed the house the other day.

The house is 2 storey and is 2,900 sq ft. It has the older style cast iron radiators. There is 7-8 radiators upstairs and about 7-8 downstairs. There is no back boilers in house. There is new immersion tank installed and a bit of new plumbing up stairs so I don't see any need to replace this.

I checked out in shed and boiler and it has Popular 120 wrote on front of it(same as image below)

I guess from looking at spec this is 120,000 BTU, would this be large enough for house of this size?

As this is not a condenser boiler what would the recommended replacement be? Any idea how much it would be just to replace.

Also for this type of house is there any alternative? House is out in country so not on any gas lines etc,

Thanks

Wearb

Unless there are big problems with existing boiler, it would make better sense to have it properly serviced and keep it.

There is some confusing advertising going on at the moment. Unless in extreme circumstances, it doesn't make economic sense to change.

Shefwedfan

Wearb wrote: »

Unless there are big problems with existing boiler, it would make better sense to have it properly serviced and keep it.

There is some confusing advertising going on at the moment. Unless in extreme circumstances, it doesn't make economic sense to change.

I think I might be one of the confused ones, I thought the older boilers are not very efficient. So the best thing is to change to condenser boiler?

Is that information correct?

Wearb

As I said, unless your boiler is running way outside its capabilities, it is unlikely to make economic sense to replace it. That boiler has a seasonal efficiency of 85% if set up properly.

Shefwedfan

Looking at BER cert, it says "Efficiency of Main Heating System (Gas or Oil)
This dwelling has an oil/gas main heating system. The efficiency of the boiler is
greater than 80% but less than 86%."

I checked the following website: http://www.ncm-pcdb.org.uk/sap/pcdbsearchresults.jsp?btnSubmit=Search&type=0&mainType=1&heatPumpType=0&emitterType=0&mvType=0&fuel=4&brand=&model=&modelQualifier=&instantaneous=0&integrated=-1&pid=26&modelQualifier=

Says the newest Firebird, Enviromax Blue Supreme Popular 26 is 93.4% efficiency. So nearly a 10% improvement in performance I would guess.

Would this not be a factor to consider?

Shefwedfan

Looking at BER cert, it says "Efficiency of Main Heating System (Gas or Oil)
This dwelling has an oil/gas main heating system. The efficiency of the boiler is
greater than 80% but less than 86%."

I checked the following website: http://www.ncm-pcdb.org.uk/sap/pcdbsearchresults.jsp?btnSubmit=Search&type=0&mainType=1&heatPumpType=0&emitterType=0&mvType=0&fuel=4&brand=&model=&modelQualifier=&instantaneous=0&integrated=-1&pid=26&modelQualifier=

Says the newest Firebird, Enviromax Blue Supreme Popular 26 is 93.4% efficiency. So nearly a 10% improvement in performance I would guess.

Would this not be a factor to consider?

Dtp1979

If anything I'd say your boiler is too big at the moment. Get it sized correctly. I'd say you'd get away with 90,000.
If you are changing, get the grant vortex 90/120 and upgrade your heating controls. Doing this will make the system much more efficient.

Wearb

Yes of course it needs to be considered and I did.

How much will your annual oil bill be? If you can save 10 or 12% on that, how many years before you have saved enough to pay for boiler replacement? Those are the questions that you need to know the answers to.

Shefwedfan

Wearb wrote: »

Yes of course it needs to be considered and I did.

How much will your annual oil bill be? If you can save 10 or 12% on that, how many years before you have saved enough to pay for boiler replacement? Those are the questions that you need to know the answers to.

I don't know how much bill would be as current house is about 1,400 sq ft and has a gas condenser boiler I installed in 2011.

Also I have no idea how much installation of new boiler would cost.

I checked just online and seen a Grant36-46kw Boiler(120-155) for €1,530. So just wondering how much on top of that it would cost to get plumber to install?

Wearb

What is the ber on the house? How old is it?

Shefwedfan

Wearb wrote: »

What is the ber on the house? How old is it?

BER is E1

It was build circa 70-80

Below from initial look is what needs to be done:

The windows are wooden and single glazed but in good condition - Could be ok for a while
There is 2 fireplaces with no dampers or anything to stop airflow out - Will replace with Stoves
The external doors are in poor condition, especially a set of french doors with a gap of around 2cm around the whole door - immediate replacement
The walls have poor insulation so would need to either pump or if I had the time I would put on insulated slabs - same time as windows is slabbing
Little or no insulation in attic - immediate replacement

So a bit of work to keep me busy

Wearb

There is apt more to be gained from making those improvements than replacing boiler. Just make sure to have it PROPERLY serviced.

Dtp1979

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I don't know how much bill would be as current house is about 1,400 sq ft and has a gas condenser boiler I installed in 2011.

Also I have no idea how much installation of new boiler would cost.

I checked just online and seen a Grant36-46kw Boiler(120-155) for €1,530. So just wondering how much on top of that it would cost to get plumber to install?

That's way too big. Oversizing a condensing boiler is the worst thing you could do

Shefwedfan

Dtp1979 wrote: »

That's way too big. Oversizing a condensing boiler is the worst thing you could do

Im not buying the boiler, I was just looking around and found that as a price I could use to work out a budget.

If I was replacing I would be getting a plumber etc to size the boiler correctly.

Shefwedfan

Just wondering for this type of set up is there an alternative? I know a couple of people with geothermal but all new builds and they put in underfloor heating,

As this is existing build with radiators I guess I am restricted to oil/gas/wood chip?

Shefwedfan

Just wondering for this type of set up is there an alternative? I know a couple of people with geothermal but all new builds and they put in underfloor heating,

As this is existing build with radiators I guess I am restricted to oil/gas/wood chip?

agusta

You can do air to water with existing rads

Shefwedfan

agusta wrote: »

You can do air to water with existing rads

Thanks, never heard of this? do you have link?

agusta

http://www.ashgrove.ie/products/air-to-water-heat-pumps/

DGOBS

If your spending money, firstly 'insulate', then 'insulate', then 'insulate', any money left over 'insulate'

When you can do no more, look at the boiler upgrade.

Logic here is 'stop the loss' this will allow you to heat the house a lot cheaper, then look at the heat source.

Shefwedfan

DGOBS wrote: »

If your spending money, firstly 'insulate', then 'insulate', then 'insulate', any money left over 'insulate'

When you can do no more, look at the boiler upgrade.

Logic here is 'stop the loss' this will allow you to heat the house a lot cheaper, then look at the heat source.

I know, that is what I done with my current house, insulated the house and then 2 years afterwards put in new boiler. If my buy house then I am looking at

1. Insulate attic
2. Replace windows and doors
3. Put stoves to replace fireplaces
4. If I can confirm it is cavity then pump cavity
5. Insulated slabs on all external walls

Currently carpet on all floors so as I replace that I will put down floor insulation

Would love to have cash to do insulated slabs at same time as window but depends on budget