Hi folks,

Moved into new house and are looking at doing the place up. It needs lots doing including something to replace the boiler. Currently we have a LPG tank running a 30 year old boiler. It's very inefficient.
I'm really not sure what to replace it with. Solar (a possibility with the roof orientation)? Wood chip burner thing? A pressurised boiler system? A combi?
I have no idea. Any recommendations?

Stuart

Wood pellet boiler if the house has a biggish outhouse/garage and a decent epc result.

govt will pay you well for 7 years but it could cost way over 10k to install At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

We have the bog standard gas combi condenser in our place and it is very efficient. The only issue I would say is that it can take a while for the hot water to come through compared to a hot water tank.

No experience of the others but as combis go, the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 37cdi (sounds like a car) is great. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Hi CG and chuck,

The epc is poor at this stage although we're going to try to improve things. The building to store it in is the issue.

As for the combi, I've hated the things in other people's houses due to reliability problems and the fact that they can be inconsistent with temperature flow. Then again a pal has one which he reckons is wonderful.
He reckons the people who have problems usually have an underspeced unit for their needs.
So it's definitely on my list of options.

Stuart

Other than a frozen condensate pipe one very bad winter (easily dealt with), our boiler has been excellent.

Like anything, buy a good brand. Worcester Bosch are very good and very easy to get parts if needed, due to their popularity.

Ours has been consistent in heat, but I did spec one with a higher output than really needed. Doesn't mean it uses more gas, just means it isn't working full pelt all the time. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

Look into Worcester Bosch boilers, get one that's big enough and add on any possible extensions or other factors, the British Gas enginer advised me that

You could look into either air or ground source heat pump, loads more efficient than solar Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

If you are going to go for a combi, go for Worcester Bosch, they have no equal in the uk.
I did and very pleased with it .
The one thing I can't emphasis enough is have the boiler sized to meet your hot water requirements as a preference not the heating loads as a preference. I did this and have more or less instantaneous unlimited hot water which doesn't take a fortnight to fill a bath. The boiler will usually be too big for the heating load but trust me that's the way to do it whatever an installer advices.
Try and get the condensate outlet piped into an internal drain pipe somewhere, saves on the possible freezing problem.

We had a Worcester Bosch combi fitted 5 years ago and it's never been touched apart from a service every year.We used there approved installer who was excellent and explained everything to us before we committed and he's been back every year to service it,plus a 5 warranty as standard.

Think it is safe to say WB are well respected judging by the response here. I would also add that they aren't FL2 reliable, they really are reliable  Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

If I moved house to a low epc place id seriously consider wall insulation, cavity or if not possible dry lining the inside of walls. My house cant be cavity walled , dry lining would be major to house decoraations but new house new canvas.
A mate did it on a farm cottage , not so hard to do and rare to see such a 'square' farmhouse, and warm warm warm[/img] At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Yeah friend did the same in a renovation. For building requirements had to insulate walls. Lost a few inches but worth it. Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

I should add after insulating the walls, he installed a WB combo  Learned to drive in 2011.
Bought a Micra - great little car
"Upgraded" to Kia Sportage - hated it
Proper upgrade to FL2 TD4 GS 60 reg Facelift - tailgate paint issues, fuel gauge rewire, transfer box failure at 36k miles, clutch at 60k
Reconditioned diff at 70k ish
Sold at 84k and now on a DS. Terribly unreliable.
Sold DS for a 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Fingers crossed....
Sold Outlander for a 2014 SD4 SE Tech because I’m mental

One day this will be commercially available http://www.fhtstoves.com/

OP - what fuel sources are available to you where you live?

If you are going to go for a combi, go for Worcester Bosch, they have no equal in the uk
Sorry to disagree Ideal Logic+ is a far better boiler and you can get a 7 year warranty

As everyone is extolling the virtues of the combi boiler I thought I would put the case for the traditional boiler and separate hot water tank.

Recently installed a WB Greenstar system condensing boiler with a separate Heatrae Sadia Megaflo 170l pressurised hot water tank.

System boiler means cold water is mains pressure and hot water is also pressurised. Also means no issue with waiting for boiler to heat water with a combi or low pressure if more than one person in house is using hot water. Also got rid of electric pumps for power showers as hot water is pressurised so no more noisey showers.

Hot water also heated by solar panels via Solar iBoost so in summer get free hot water as well.

It does take up more space but if you have a family who are all having showers and baths then in my view its the better solution.

At least we agree that Worcester Bosch is best!  Disco 4 HSE SDV6 Orkney Grey
Gone FL2 MY13 XS TD4 Manual Orkney Grey