Hi
Thinking about getting a replacement for my 19 year old Glow-worm 246 very inefficient but reliable back boiler. The only thing wrong with it is the pilot light does not work(but its never turned off). Cost £1780 (not including the extra attic rad i put in myself) to fit in 1986!
Looking on a plate it says 61000btus input and 46000btus output. i guess this means its 75% efficient (46k/61k)
Out of interest, is this enough for a 2 bedroomed + attic bedroom terrace house, 7 rads in total and hot water system. Seems to cope but costs £500 a year to run
With all the threads about problems with these new type condensing boilers i wonder if there is a relaible one out there. It seems worthwhile getting a really good (expensive?) one but which one?
Opinions please!
Been quoted £1800 pounds for installing a new (i guess pretty average one) boiler.
Thanks
Michael

Hi
Thinking about getting a replacement for my 30ish year old Glow-worm 246 very inefficient but reliable back boiler. The only thing wrong with it is the pilot light does not work(but its never turned off).
Looking on a plate it says 61000btus input and 46000btus output. i guess this means its 75% efficient (46k/61k)
Out of interest, is this enough for a 2 bedroomed + attic bedroom terrace house, 7 rads in total and hot water system. Seems to cope but costs £500 a year to run
With all the threads about problems with these new type condensing boilers i wonder if there is a relaible one out there. It seems worthwhile getting a really good (expensive?) one but which one?
Opinions please!
Been quoted £1800 pounds for installing a new (i guess pretty average one) boiler.
Thanks
Michael

Hi

Condensing boilers don't have problems anymore just people remembering the first generation ones and misconceptions about the new ones.
The best on the market at the moment are Worcester Bosch who also have the best backup service, their boilers are around 91-92% efficient.
I maybe wrong but backboilers I think are still exempt from the condensing rule if you want to go that route and are now around 81% efficient, you would want around an output of 55,000btu.
Changing a backboiler to a wall hung condensing boiler is alot of work and £1800 is very reasonable (does this include jetflushing which costs about £300).
Check on the boiler quoted for as you don't want a standard efficiency boiler which has been modified to be resold as a condensing boiler such as the Potterton Suprima HE.

Mog

Hi Mog
As far as i know it did not include flushing which i think would be a good idea for an 19 year old system. Thanks for the info about back boilers. i will bear that in mind if i finaly decide to change.
Cheers
Michael