Boiler replacement. Cost Vs Benefit. What are my options?

banie01 · 13-10-2019 12:09pm #1

Hey folks.

My current boiler requires a repair that will cost me in the region of @€;500.

Boiler is in Situ over 10yrs and when new was @86% efficient.
My current setup is as a "system" boiler, with boiler heating HW cylinder whe running.
During summer and even up to date this year this has led to quite a reliance on the immersion as the house is quite well insulated and the stove fire tends to heat the sitting room kitchen and stair well quite well.

I am leaning towards replacing the system boiler with a combi and ditching my HW tank for perhaps a rad in the hotpress.

I've reached out to some local plumbers for a quote and in and @2400 seems to be where I will be at pricewise.
With the savings in efficiency, the savings versus electric hotwater and the saving on the repair that is @20% of the cost of a new boiler it is currently making fairly straight forward sense to go with new.

Am I missing anything in my logic?
Have been quoted so far for an intergas Eco, with more quotes due.

I am out of luck grantwise I think, as I already have a nest in situ.
So price v performance is a concern for the install as I don't think I will receive any subsidy.

whizbang · 14-10-2019 12:35am

I keep looking at my system for similar reasons..
But efficiency wise, I think about €80 per year for a new 92% Vs my current Oil, boilerhouse system. So, not on.
The problem is
We absolutely hate having the boiler run in summer, so hot water is electricity, or...
Solar.

Btw, 500 seems an odd price for repair. heat exchanger?

Dtp1979 · 14-10-2019 8:08am

If you’re getting quotes of 2,400 then I’m assuming it’s a friend who’s pricing that. A pressurising pump needs to be added to your system for a start. Using mains in Ireland for a combi simply isn’t good enough. If your quotes are coming in less than 3k then corners are being cut.
How many hot draw off points do you have btw?
If you didn’t apply for the Seai grant before then yes, you probably are eligible once the property was built pre 2006

banie01 · 14-10-2019 11:13am

Dtp1979 wrote: »

If you’re getting quotes of 2,400 then I’m assuming it’s a friend who’s pricing that. A pressurising pump needs to be added to your system for a start. Using mains in Ireland for a combi simply isn’t good enough. If your quotes are coming in less than 3k then corners are being cut.
How many hot draw off points do you have btw?
If you didn’t apply for the Seai grant before then yes, you probably are eligible once the property was built pre 2006

Thanks for the replies folks.
3 HW draw points, 1 shower and 2 sinks.
The price quoted is from a local plumbing company via their email quote facility and a further nationwide "Chain" has come in at 2099 including seai grants (The house is pre '06).
I am awaiting a few more prices before whittling down.

Any opinions on the Intergas Eco?

Dtp1979 · 14-10-2019 12:50pm

Intergas have the best combi on the market

ebbsy · 14-10-2019 12:52pm

I got 2 guys from Dublin to put a Worchester Bosch in. Fantastic job and boiler.

You get what you pay for.

banie01 · 14-10-2019 12:52pm

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Intergas have the best combi on the market

Thanks for that DTP1979.
The lad that quoted for the interface is also honestly the most responsive of the lads I've been communicating with.
The 10yr warranty and his customer manner are probably gonna make him my choice.
Just had no knowledge of Intergas and I appreciate the info.

banie01 · 14-10-2019 12:53pm

ebbsy wrote: »

You get what you pay for.

The purpose of this thread is to find out what that is...
Before I pay for it

ebbsy · 14-10-2019 12:56pm

banie01 wrote: »

The purpose of this thread is to find out what that is...
Before I pay for it

This was about 2 years ago -

€2600

Boiler - Bosch
Filter
Timer
Flush

And they did a great job. Gas.

banie01 · 17-10-2019 5:15pm

So have had a couple of RGI's out to quote for the work and I'm happy to report that my water pressure was tested and it's pushing out @13.5ltrs a minute so the combi is a viable option.

All quotes to supply and fit have come in at in and around the €2600 mark, be it straight swap for the existing system setup and additional zoning or going with the combi.

What is curious is that there are a couple of quotes that include SEAI grant and carbon credit as a discount against total cost of supply and fit...
Yet still come in at the same price as a non-subsidised supply and fit for an Intergas combi?

Dtp1979 · 17-10-2019 6:53pm

13ltrs a minute is harmless enough tbh.

banie01 · 17-10-2019 7:44pm

Dtp1979 wrote: »

13ltrs a minute is harmless enough tbh.

It is, but the combi I'm looking at is specced for 12ltrs so it's a +10% margin.
Or is there something else I'm missing?

Idbatterim · 17-10-2019 8:18pm

Far better off with the combi

Dtp1979 · 17-10-2019 9:47pm

banie01 wrote: »

It is, but the combi I'm looking at is specced for 12ltrs so it's a +10% margin.
Or is there something else I'm missing?

What kind of flow rates are you getting with 3 taps and a shower on?

banie01 · 18-10-2019 9:31am

Dtp1979 wrote: »

What kind of flow rates are you getting with 3 taps and a shower on?

I'll check and let you know as soon as.

Dtp1979 · 18-10-2019 2:25pm

banie01 wrote: »

I'll check and let you know as soon as.

You won’t be able to check, as your system is gravity fed from a tank. You’ll only be able to check when the combi is fitted and mains is supplying everything. I’m telling ya, Irish mains is shjte. Get a booster pump

banie01 · 18-10-2019 6:39pm

Dtp1979 wrote: »

You won’t be able to check, as your system is gravity fed from a tank. You’ll only be able to check when the combi is fitted and mains is supplying everything. I’m telling ya, Irish mains is shjte. Get a booster pump

I can check at the kitchen tap or indeed the attic tank surely?
Or are neither of those actually at mains pressure?

Dtp1979 · 18-10-2019 9:08pm

banie01 wrote: »

I can check at the kitchen tap or indeed the attic tank surely?
Or are neither of those actually at mains pressure?

They are yes. But when your combi goes in and it’s only the mains that’s supplying all taps/showers, then the flow rate will drop drastically

antoinolachtnai · 19-10-2019 1:44pm

It really depends on your particular situation. If you are at the bottom of a hill you might (but not necessarily) fare better than someone on top of the hill of Howth. You might do well most of year or even for a couple of mild years but when the water pressure is reduced due to a water shortage, then you might find yourself in trouble. Why leave it to chance?

K.Flyer · 19-10-2019 4:00pm

Irish mains is unpredictable. At least with a break tank / pump arrangement, you have some water reserve in case of mains shut down or pressure drop.
I personally would not install a combi boiler without a break tank / pump arrangement, irrespective of water regs etc, I just know it will be dependable and produce the desired effect for the customer.

banie01 · 20-10-2019 10:42am

K.Flyer wrote: »

Irish mains is unpredictable. At least with a break tank / pump arrangement, you have some water reserve in case of mains shut down or pressure drop.
I personally would not install a combi boiler without a break tank / pump arrangement, irrespective of water regs etc, I just know it will be dependable and produce the desired effect for the customer.

Break tank and a pump, especially considering I have a pump that will be idle if I do go with a combi is an idea I had never considered.

K.Flyer · 20-10-2019 12:06pm

banie01 wrote: »

Break tank and a pump, especially considering I have a pump that will be idle if I do go with a combi is an idea I had never considered.

Which make / model pump do you have?

banie01 · 21-10-2019 12:20pm

K.Flyer wrote: »

Which make / model pump do you have?

I have an unused salamender mains pump from an old installation as well as a currently installed salamander shower pump.

Boiler replacement. Cost Vs Benefit. What are my options?

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