Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Any benefit in replacing a 14 yr old oil boiler ?

  • 19-07-2016 11:27am
    #1
    batman1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 605 ✭✭✭


    Our grant oil boiler is 14 yrs old . Never gave any trouble. We are planning to upgrade the heating controls and moving the boiler also and was wondering if it would be of benefit to replace the boiler with a high efficiency one while we are at it considering there is a grant available. If so does anyone know a rough cost of a replacement ?


Comments

  • #2
    antoinolachtnai
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,815 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    If you are moving the boiler, the costs of doing so are going to be significant. So you might be as well just putting in a new one, especially if the installation is in any way tricky (restricted location, etc.). The compromise would be to make sure that you have the right venting arrangements and access to replace the boiler when required in the future.

    I replaced one for around €2500 a few years ago if that is any help. Here is a website with some prices on it, might give you a rough steer. http://www.davies.ie/heating/oil-boilers/grant-vortex-boilerhouse


  • #3
    K.Flyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    batman1 wrote: »
    Our grant oil boiler is 14 yrs old . Never gave any trouble. We are planning to upgrade the heating controls and moving the boiler also and was wondering if it would be of benefit to replace the boiler with a high efficiency one while we are at it considering there is a grant available. If so does anyone know a rough cost of a replacement ?

    If you are planning on moving the boiler and upgrading your controls, my advice would be to wait until you have the finance to change the boiler while you are at it, then the job is done.


  • #4
    agusta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,590 ✭✭✭agusta


    batman1 wrote: »
    Our grant oil boiler is 14 yrs old . Never gave any trouble. We are planning to upgrade the heating controls and moving the boiler also and was wondering if it would be of benefit to replace the boiler with a high efficiency one while we are at it considering there is a grant available. If so does anyone know a rough cost of a replacement ?
    A High efficiency boiler will save you at least 15 percent on oil.So seeing as your going to move the boiler anyway,i think it would pay to change.Also the new boiler will come with a warranty.Grant vortex is the best boiler,grant euroflame second best


  • #5
    RJF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭RJF


    It depends on whether the old boiler is condensing or not and how much oil you use. Let's assume it's not and has a seasonal efficiency of 85% and a new condensing boiler is 95%. Although there are other calculations involved lets say this gives you an annual saving of 10% on the cost of your oil. For every 1000 euro you spend annually you will save 100 euro. If a new boiler costs 1200 euro, assuming no extra installation cost compared to moving old boiler, the savings will pay for the boiler in 12 years. If you spend 1500 on oil per annum it will pay for new boiler in 8 years. If 700 euro on oil per year it will take 17+ years. This is very back of envelope. To make an informed decision proper calculations would need to be done. However if it is important to you to help save the planet by reducing emmissions then definately go with new condensing boiler.
    If the old boiler is condensing then keep it. Control upgrades are usually fairly cost effective but will also depend on existing system and usage.


  • #6
    batman1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 605 ✭✭✭batman1


    Many thanks. The boiler is being moved from the rear to the side of the house.

    Plumber has quoted reasonably to move the existing so would I be right in saying that it would be the same for him to connect up a new one as it would the old one?

    The current boiler is up against the rear wall and the flue goes above the soffit. Do the condensing boilers also need the flue above roof level, assuming it will be now against the side of the house.

    In terms of oil usage we don't burn a huge amount as we have a boiler insert stove which we use most. We might use the oil to get the heat up while the stove lights. However as we are upgrading the heating controls we will use the boiler more in the summer to heat the water tank.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,903 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    agusta wrote: »
    A High efficiency boiler will save you at least 15 percent on oil.So seeing as your going to move the boiler anyway,i think it would pay to change.Also the new boiler will come with a warranty.Grant vortex is the best boiler,grant euroflame second best

    At 2.5k a saving of 15 would mean that he has to spend 16,667 euro on heating, I spend roughly 600 on gas , 150 is a standing charge . The payback is then 37 years.

    OP if it were me I'd leave it till it starts giving trouble


  • #8
    RJF
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 262 ✭✭RJF


    Op - you have answered your own question. If you don't use much oil then there is little reason to replace a good operating boiler. Look after the one you have and you might get another 14 years from it, at worst maybe 5 or 6. A new condensing boiler will run anywhere from around 1000 to 1500 euro. There should not be too much extra cost if you do replace it (other than cost of boiler) since moving and installing a boiler is costed either way.


  • #9
    antoinolachtnai
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,815 ✭✭✭antoinolachtnai


    I was told about a bunch of problems with upgrading our boiler in relation to the flue. See if it can be positioned in a way that makes replacing it and installing a condensing flue straightforward. This might be a problem or it might not be, but your plumber should be able to sort it out.


Advertisement