New gas boiler advice-combi or standard?

toby2111

Boiler in my rented house is acting up and the plumber has recommended I get a new one.So I've gotten a few quotes and theres a crazy difference in price ranging from €2200 to €4000!!!I've gotten great advice here before so looking to get some opinions.

The 2 most competitive quotes are €2200. First plumber recommended an Ideal Logic with full controls upgrade etc. I think he mentioned that Magnacleam flushing system,not sure but. Includes a 5 year warranty. Also offered option to use a Worcester Bosch for an extra €200 with 7 year warranty. Both these qualify for €750 SEAI grant and have to get BER.
Second guy today recommended a combi boiler,says it'll free up space in hot press and give instant hot water. Think it was an Ariston system with chemical flush,5 year warranty for €2200,qualifies for same grant. Told him about the first quote and he rang back a while ago saying he could install a standard Baxi boiler(not combi) for €2100.
So,do I get a standard or a combi?Which is better?Its a standard 3 bed semi with 2 mains fed showers(but theres some sort of trip switch that prevents them both running at same time).
And which model would you recommend?

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

Boiler in my rented house is acting up and the plumber has recommended I get a new one.So I've gotten a few quotes and theres a crazy difference in price ranging from €2200 to €4000!!!I've gotten great advice here before so looking to get some opinions.

The 2 most competitive quotes are €2200. First plumber recommended an Ideal Logic with full controls upgrade etc. I think he mentioned that Magnacleam flushing system,not sure but. Includes a 5 year warranty. Also offered option to use a Worcester Bosch for an extra €200 with 7 year warranty. Both these qualify for €750 SEAI grant and have to get BER.
Second guy today recommended a combi boiler,says it'll free up space in hot press and give instant hot water. Think it was an Ariston system with chemical flush,5 year warranty for €2200,qualifies for same grant. Told him about the first quote and he rang back a while ago saying he could install a standard Baxi boiler(not combi) for €2100.
So,do I get a standard or a combi?Which is better?Its a standard 3 bed semi with 2 mains fed showers(but theres some sort of trip switch that prevents them both running at same time).
And which model would you recommend?

Unless you've feck all hot water points and fantastic mains pressure then no to a combi.
No to chemical flush.
No to magnaclean Flush.
Only a powerflush will suffice.
Go with the Worcester bosch including a powerflush. Fit a magnetic filter too and controls to seai spec

toby2111

Dtp1979 wrote: »

No to chemical flush.
No to magnaclean Flush.
Only a powerflush will suffice.
c

So that's a no to a combi then.
I've had a quick read through some threads here about "power flushing" and am still confused. What's the major difference between it and Magna cleanse? What extra does power flushing give and why is it more expensive?

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

So that's a no to a combi then.
I've had a quick read through some threads here about "power flushing" and am still confused. What's the major difference between it and Magna cleanse? What extra does power flushing give and why is it more expensive?

A magnacleanse is a glorified chemical flush. It's a little better.
A powerflush uses a machine, in conjunction with a big magnet and sends water through the pipework at high velocity, low pressure. It's much more effective.
You'll hear people saying it's not safe. Those same people haven't a clue what they're talking about.

toby2111

One of the plumbers said that power flushing uses higher pressure and on older pipes, like in my house, it possibly could weaken joints or something like that. I don't understand any of it, maybe he was bluffing but I have read on boards that the magnaclean does a good job...

Also, can I ask you-do those quotes seem OK? I presume you're a plumber as you seem to know your stuff! Thanks

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

One of the plumbers said that power flushing uses higher pressure and on older pipes, like in my house, it possibly could weaken joints or something like that. I don't understand any of it, maybe he was bluffing but I have read on boards that the magnaclean does a good job...

Also, can I ask you-do those quotes seem OK? I presume you're a plumber as you seem to know your stuff! Thanks

The plumber who told you that probably dosent have the machine so he dosent want to lose out on the work.
I've powerflushed 50 year old systems. Yes, there is a slight risk with old systems made of gunbarrell but that would have to be assessed. Powerflushing uses a max pressure of 1.75-2 bar. Any heating system should be capable of easily handling 3 bar and more. If something leaks after or during Powerflushing then it was going to leak at some stage.
Powerflushing dosent cause leaks, it exposes them.

Dtp1979

As for prices, a new boiler, system powerflush, magnetic filter fitted and controls upgrade is usually around 3-3,500. Maybe more in some cases. Then you get 750 back from seai.
Don't be fooled by cheap prices. It's an awful lot of money to waste

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

One of the plumbers said that power flushing uses higher pressure and on older pipes, like in my house, it possibly could weaken joints or something like that. I don't understand any of it, maybe he was bluffing but I have read on boards that the magnaclean does a good job...

Also, can I ask you-do those quotes seem OK? I presume you're a plumber as you seem to know your stuff! Thanks

The plumber who told you that probably dosent have the machine so he dosent want to lose out on the work.
I've powerflushed 50 year old systems. Yes, there is a slight risk with old systems made of gunbarrell but that would have to be assessed. Powerflushing uses a max pressure of 1.75-2 bar. Any heating system should be capable of easily handling 3 bar and more. If something leaks after or during Powerflushing then it was going to leak at some stage.
Powerflushing dosent cause leaks, it exposes them.

toby2111

Thanks.
And would a magnaclean flush not be enough for my 18 year old house? Surely there's not that much build up in the pipes? I'm just a bit strapped.

whiterebel

toby2111 wrote: »

Thanks.
And would a magnaclean flush not be enough for my 18 year old house? Surely there's not that much build up in the pipes? I'm just a bit strapped.

You'd be surprised. My house is 2 years younger, but they forgot to put inhibitor into the system. Heating system still giving me nightmares.

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

Thanks.
And would a magnaclean flush not be enough for my 18 year old house? Surely there's not that much build up in the pipes? I'm just a bit strapped.

I've seen houses 3-4 years old full of sludge. Every system is different. It's your money. If I was spending thousands on a job I'd want it done right

toby2111

I'll get a few more quotes so.

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

I'll get a few more quotes so.

What area are you based. Maybe somebody coujd reccomend a person

toby2111

I'm in Dundalk. Yeh, would definitely appreciate some recommendations. Feel free to PM me. Thanks.

Dtp1979

toby2111 wrote: »

I'm in Dundalk. Yeh, would definitely appreciate some recommendations. Feel free to PM me. Thanks.

Pm sent

RJF

When doing a powerflush with a machine you basically have an open vented system at the machine.
It is a high VELOCITY (speed) flush not a high PRESSURE flush.
It will not CAUSE a leak in a system but it may expose an existing or imminent leak.
I have done a powerflush on systems over 30 years old, both copper and gunmetal, with no problems.