Oil Fired Boilers

[muff13]

Hi

I am looking for some advice. We have recently bought a bungalow, which was built in 1988, and are thinking about replacing the oil fired boiler which heats both the water and the central heating. We are not sure about the pros and cons of a combi boiler. From what we have read, it would appear that they are more fuel efficient, but if we installed one, as opposed to a non condensing boiler, would that mean that we would no longer use the hot water tank (and loose the lovely warm cupboard for airing clothes!) My feeling is that we would be better to stick to a conventional boiler, but my husband is not so sure. Any comments from anyone greatly appreciated and thanking everyone in advance.

[FRISKA]

We also live in a bungalow and when we needed a new boiler for heating and hot water we changed from tank & cylinder system to a combi. At first We missed the airing cupboard but it was a relief not to have the cupboard full of pipes,cystern etc..Our combi is in the false floor- ie in the roof space. It was possible for us to extend our central heating pipework thro the base of bedroom cupboards/wardrobes so that they warmed up when the heating is on. . Works fine.

[gucciman]

if its efficency your after then a conventional tank and cylinder system with a condensing boiler would be more efficient than a combi.
however the installation costs may be a problem. if you have your exisiting system upgraded then by law when your new boiler is installed you also have to have a high heat recovery coil cylinder put in along with thermostatic radiator valves, room stat, cylinder stat and a programmer, your pipework between the boiler and cylinder also has to be lagged.
of course if you already have those fitted all you need is the new boiler.
if you opted for a combi then you would lose your airing cupboard although you could have a small radiator installed in the cupboard if you still wanted to air your clothes in it.

[sheribee]

hi, i have a combi and its fantastic! Hot water when u ran the taps, no wasting gas heating a tank full when u wont use it all! I love my combi, got rid of a big cupboard and have more space in the bedroom and loft as no water tank! Its great.
Given the choice again i would have either a combi or a solid fuel fired heating to save on the gas. x

[gucciman]

combi boilers burn a hell of a lot of gas to heat the hot water and wont deliver anywhere near the flow of hot water that a cylinder system will.
combis are very popular because they are easy to install but when i was at a training course with honeywell recently they said that in the future conventional systems will be coming back as they are more efficient in conjunction with a condensing boiler.

[muff13]

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I think that a condensing boiler will be the best option for us.