Boiler Replacement - Combi?

Daith

Hi all,

In the near future I'll need to replace the boiler. It's a an old boiler with a water cylinder. I'd replace both.

A friend suggested replacing it with a combi boiler. The house has one bathroom with electric shower (no bath). The hot water would be for two sinks really, bathroom and kitchen. There'll be just one or two people living in the house.

I've heard conflicting stories about combi boilers but anything I've read seems to suggest it would match my situation?

Any thoughts?

salmocab

I did the same about 5 or 6 years ago and it’s worked out great. We saved the space of the hot tank for storage. It means waiting a few extra seconds for hot water from the tap but nothing crazy.

A combi would be a good option but take into account the noise of the pump you will need to fit and the break tank to store the cold water to feed the pump.

I’d also advise keeping the electric shower as it’s always handy to have a second source of hot water which you lose when you remove the cylinder.

salmocab

gary71 wrote: »

A combi would be a good option but take into account the noise of the pump you will need to fit and the break tank to store the cold water to feed the pump.

I’d also advise keeping the electric shower as it’s always handy to have a second source of hot water which you lose when you remove the cylinder.

Does need of a pump not depend on pressure? I don’t have a pump with mine, in fact there was a pump removed for it to be fitted

John.G

Also, no harm to have a read through this....

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057216798

salmocab

salmocab wrote: »

Does need of a pump not depend on pressure? I don’t have a pump with mine, in fact there was a pump removed for it to be fitted

Combi boilers require a break tank and a pump as using the mains is frowned upon.

gebbel

gary71 wrote: »

Combi boilers require a break tank and a pump as using the mains is frowned upon.

Is it a legal requirement? I ask because I had a combi installed 2 years ago. It's fed off the mains. No pump or break tank. Works really well. This was all done by a registered installer. It's a ground floor apartment with it's own water supply and obviously no attic so no tank.

Fitting a break tank and a pump has always been the standard when fitting a combi and I would fit them to comply.

Typically I find people wish to second guess the standards and have a opinion so you will find different answers to you question on illegality.

I wouldn’t worry to much but like anything it’s only a problem when it’s a problem so it might be a issue down the road but there will be no prison time.

Steer55

gary71 wrote: »

Combi boilers require a break tank and a pump as using the mains is frowned upon.

I have vissman gas combi boiler, no pump or break tank in mine. The water pressure is fantastic. The system is installed over two years without single issue.
Recommended and installed by reputable gas installer

Sleeper12

gebbel wrote: »

Is it a legal requirement? I ask because I had a combi installed 2 years ago. It's fed off the mains. No pump or break tank. Works really well. This was all done by a registered installer. It's a ground floor apartment with it's own water supply and obviously no attic so no tank.

Steer55 wrote: »

I have vissman gas combi boiler, no pump or break tank in mine. The water pressure is fantastic. The system is installed over two years without single issue.
Recommended and installed by reputable gas installer

This goes against the building regs & bylaws. Your 5 year warranty will state that the installation must comply with local building regulations. Water pressure in Ireland is terrible for the most part. Installing on mains pressure might be wonderful today but if Irish water decide to permanently reduce pressure in your area then combi might not function correctly


The building regs & bylaws are what they are. No one will arrest you for having your combi boiler connected to the mains but if pressure in the area drops you have no warranty to fix the issue. It works perfectly in many cases but it's not good practice because it may not function correctly in the future as a result of the installation

Steer55

Steer55 wrote: »

I have vissman gas combi boiler, no pump or break tank in mine. The water pressure is fantastic. The system is installed over two years without single issue.
Recommended and installed by reputable gas installer

I don’t doubt it but the requirement of a break tank and pump is not based on incoming mains performance.

I’m not clever enough to second guess regs I’ll leave that to others I like a quite life so I will do what the regs require because I can’t pretend I didn’t know if enforcement improves and a home owner comes knocking at my door asking me to bring a install up to standard at my expense now it’s a problem for them.

Daith

Thanks all. I think it was the "mains water" connection that was concerning me. It's probably something I'd steer clear off so I'll ask the installer how it'll be connected.