Boiler Lifespan Hi all, Had my ideal combi boiler serviced just before xmas, like I’ve done since I’ve had it. This year it had it’s 9th service. Same guy has come round...

[kev2021]

Hi all,

Had my ideal combi boiler serviced just before xmas, like I’ve done since I’ve had it.  This year it had it’s 9th service.  Same guy has come round last couple of years, he advised he has the same make of boiler (different model) and that they only last 15 years.

Is that a typical boiler lifespan?  I am aware warranties are from 7-12 years depending on models, mine had a 7 year warranty.  I was going to take out additional cover so that parts etc would be covered to help avoid a large bill but I was advised that after 7 years, if any problems with the boiler, they would simply advise I needed a new boiler and wouldn’t replace any parts.  I therefore decided against the additional cover and to date, I’ve had no issues with the boiler to speak off.  The only issues I’ve had are:-

1. Inbuilt programmer capacitor doing so boiler wouldn’t keep the correct date/time and therefore just ran at full power until it was reset and was then ok until power went out.  Have since managed to source a capacitor and have replaced it and all is ok.  I have no switched to Nest so whilst the inbuilt programmer is still connected, it effectively doesn’t do anything as nest controls when it comes on and goes off.
2. The pressure gauge has been a bit low a few times, almost to the point of the boiler would no longer work.  I simply topped up the water via the 2 connectors for the filler loop and all was fine again and has been fine since.  I kept an eye on it for a while and seemed ok, then forgot all about it.

Engineer who visited advised the boiler was running well, similar readings to last year so all good on that front.  Was just a bit surprised when he said only last 15 years.  I was expecting there to be parts available should something go wrong and I’d simply pay for it to be replaced/repaired, assuming it doesn’t cost as much as a replacement boiler :)  However, it seems they would sooner replace the boiler than spent the time replacing/repairing? seems a little odd.  I mean in 15 years, can a newer boiler really be that much better that I’d save money? I expect not tbh.  If it was 30 or 40 years old then I’d say yes, highly possible for the same like for like boiler by the same manufacturer.

I have a logic 24 boiler atm which I believe means 24kw boiler, when the time does come that I need a replacement, I think I might go for a 28 or 30 as I’ve read lots of people saying go for 30 as it’s better when you require hot water etc. as at the moment, sometimes I need to run the hot tap for a bit before it comes through hot, other times it’s hot almost instantly. Not a massive issue and certainly wont be changing the boiler until this one stops working as it’s not a huge issue.

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

When I was looking for our next (now new) Gas Condenser boiler, Ideal was one of the brands I came across and then dismissed.

Ideal (groupe atlantic) did not compete with say Worcester Bosch – Viessmann etc.

For a Worcester Bosch you could expect 15 – 20 years with no real problems if properly serviced and a little luck.

So 10 -15 years for an Ideal boiler is what I would expect with an annual service before major spares are required.

FWiW; Our Vaillant boiler is also expected to last around 15 years and until recently, Vaillant was having lots of issues (leaks) with the rubber pipework they used inside the boiler, luckily that is now been addressed and Vaillant (hopefully) are back up there with the likes of Worcester-Bosch etc.

A few Gas Safe engineer visits outside of warranty replacing components can soon add up to the cost of a new boiler and nothing worse than the boiler breaking when its cold outside

Interesting article below on Boiler Reliability

https://heatable.co.uk/boiler-advice/worst-boilers

 

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[kev2021]

Thanks, looked at the link and the further link to combi boilers and seems ideal is #5 on the list for combi boilers and they seem to get a reasonable review on there.  Have to say I’ve not had any issues with leaks or anything with the ideal boiler I have. So I’m likely to replace with another ideal boiler when the time comes but possibly a slightly uprated one, maybe 30kw instead of 24kw if the dimensions remain similar as it’s located in a small cupboard so have limitations on the side it can be.

Looking at the ideal brand, I prefer the look of the logic/logic+ than the vogue, mainly because the Vogue hides the controls/screen so you have to lower the flap to be able to see it, I’d sooner not have the flap.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Ideal boilers are widely recognised for offering high-quality heating appliances at a more affordable price, so a safe choice.

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[kev2021]

Yeah, I’ve known of ideal for many years and always heard good things.

Kev

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[kev2021]

Hi all,

Been looking at the Ideal boilers, just to get a rough idea of a model and a price so I can start to think about setting aside some money for when the time comes. Obviously models will no doubt change and no doubt so will the price but I’m looking to get an idea now and then review the prices each year and adjust amount put aside so I’m not too far off the mark when the time does come. Looking online it seems around £2.5k for boiler & fitting seems a rough average.  Might change per area but only after a rough guide for now, as a starting point.

So I currently have the logic 24kw combi boiler and looking online lots of people recommend getting a 30kw boiler so I’m looking at one of those. However, I thought the 24kw/30kw meant the amount of power it used but looking at Ideal’s ERP labels, the 24kw, 30kw and 35kw all shows 24kw so does that mean they all use 24kw power meaning effectively running costs are the same?

Was trying to get an idea how much a 24kw boiler costs per unit or hour and how much the 30kw would cost per unit or hour.

Thanks

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

An example, a 24kW and 30kW boiler means the number of radiators the boiler can support, the higher the KW, the more radiators can be supported.

Does your current 24kw combi boiler heat your property well ?

 

—-

I did this with my current boiler so can run through the basics with you if you wish as these tools are online

I.e.

What boiler system do you currently have .

• Combi – Standard – System

House Type 

• Detached – Semi – Terraced
• How Many Bedrooms ?
• How many Bathtubs ?
• How many showers ?
• How many radiators in house ?

 

 

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[Grisu]

Cost are only depending on consumed energy.

A 30kW will run less hours a day than a 24kW, but at the end they both will use same amount of energy (gas). The 30kw may turn on/off more often a day.
It depends on your house whether it can “consume” 30kw or better stay with 24kW – the fewer radiators the less kw.
If you take a too small one it may not bring enough heat into your house on very cold days.
But if you did not freece till now it is usually better to stay with the smaller one.

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[kev2021]

. UK Sentinel Said:

An example, a 24kW and 30kW boiler means the number of radiators the boiler can support, the higher the KW, the more radiators can be supported.

Does your current 24kw combi boiler heat your property well ?

 

—-

I did this with my current boiler so can run through the basics with you if you wish as these tools are online

I.e.

What boiler system do you currently have .

• Combi – Standard – System

House Type 

• Detached – Semi – Terraced
• How Many Bedrooms ?
• How many Bathtubs ?
• How many showers ?
• How many radiators in house ?

 

 

In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).

Combi boiler

Detached

2 bed

1 bath/shower

5 radiators

1 towel rail heated in bathroom (acts as radiator too effectively)

Heating takes a while to get to temp and also noticed hot water seems to sometimes take several minutes to come through at times.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Several minutes for hot water to the tap sounds excessive, does the amount of radiators for whole house include any in The kitchen, lounge, hallway etc. ?

Was the property built in the 70s as they used a lot of Microbore piping (8mm) back in the day which restricts flow rates and can get blocked easily etc.

Power showers etc. best to use 15mm pipe work as an example.

 

 

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[kev2021]

Hi,

That’s total radiators, it was build in 2015.  As I say at times, I can turn on hot water and its instant or few seconds but other times, it take several minutes of running hot water for it to actually come hot.

I saw online some people saying regarding the water and to get the 30kw to avoid it but I’m not 100% sure, just been reading bits a pieces online in various places I have found when searching.

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Just run your details via one of those online tools and a 20-24Kw Combi-Boiler is all that is needed.

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 25kW unit costs around £1200 as an example, installation is required to be completed by a Gas Safe engineer.

Also forgot to mention, if the property does not have, maybe worth including the option for a Magnaclean filter to be added to keep the system free form metallic debris.

 

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[kev2021]

Thanks, interesting, I saw this thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2394295/replacement-boiler-24-or-30kw

1 person has a 2 bed flat and is using above 24kw boiler and also mentions 24kw boiler has no cuts so bit confused. It would seem 30 is the way to go? Also ironically the 30kw is quieter than the 24kw.

Also just a quick quote on iheat website and it said 24-40kw lol

Kev

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[UK Sentinel]

Thread was from 2010 so a while ago.

anything above 24kw is not necessary especially when you take into account cost of boiler and it’s minimum output values.

If you just are interested in hot water and hot radiators and need a higher flow rate, then higher Kw is good, if you want to achieve good boiler efficiency then the challenge is to achieve a balanced system that will last longer (boiler and system) and be more cost effective to run.

 

 

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[kev2021]

Thanks, main aim is to keep it relatively cost efficient but also try and improve the hot water when required as atm it only sometimes works instantly, other times needs to run for few mins before it gets hot so bit annoying.  Property came with this boiler and due to cost, it hasn’t been worth me changing it but when the time comes, it’s something to consider.  I look up and the boilers seem to be around £2.5k which includes fitting so that’s a aim to get that much saved over new few years so I can then decide on best one to get.

Thanks

Kev

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