Replacing Gas Boiler

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amrb

Registered User
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We got a quote to replace our gas boiler for 2690. We live in a 4 bed semi d. Its a condenser boiler, the brand is glow-worm. I haven't heard of this brand before so going to look it up online but does this seem a reasonable quote and has anyone any experience of a glow-worm boiler? I'm expecting another quote in the post from another company for a baxi boiler. thanks.
 
I think I paid about 3K for my gas-boiler 1.5 years ago (including installation). It was not a condesing boiler though. I remember asking at the time what people thought and someone (obvious expert in this area) recommended the boilers B&Q sell - they have condensing boilers and they are considerably cheaper than all the ones you get from the gas/boiler companies.
 
Thanks for that. I'll look into the price in b&q and compare. thanks!
 
hi

That quote seems about right i had to replace my boiler last year and got quotes.I eventually rang my uncle and he gave me the boiler at cost and he got one of his plumbers to do the job for €500.The whole job was €900.But i did get a quote from 2 people for €2,500.I would see if you can buy the boiler yourself and get about 4 plumbers to give you a quote for labour .The boiler will have a guarantee from the shop you buy it in.Im sure there will be a few plumbers looking for business now.For instance im tiling my bathroom, i got a first quote for €2000 and second for €750.My advice is to hold out and get the best price for yourself.I heard the condensing are more efficient and the way to go.
 
A condensing boiler is approx 98% efficent compared to about 67 - 76% for standard boilers.
Many plumbers will not fit the boiler unless they supply it , mainly for two reasons.
1, they don't get a cut
2, they will not at all get involved if it fails to work, it will be buyers problem.

Your price seems ok, you can probably get it cheaper if you shop around.
Very important thing to remember is that a plumber has to be BG registered to work on gas. It is well worth paying more to a person when you have the peice of mind that it is done correctly and safely.

Gloworm boilers are a leading brand. One last thing to be aware of is that these condensing boilers release C02 and water vapour through their flue (chimney), the exact same thing we breath out. On a cold dry you can see your breath, now mutiply that by a 1000 and that is what will be pumped out every time your boiler is on, think steam train.
 

Is this all condensing boilers? I've got a well-used Potterton Suprima 80 that's malfunctioning (needs a new circuit board apparently) and I'm thinking of changing to a condensing boiler. Do they all emit a steam train's worth?
 
as regards the poterton suprima, its a great little boiler, once the pcb board has been changed for the newer version.

yes condensers do chuck our a steam load.......but its harmless and on most quality models you can buy 'diverter' type flueing kits to point this 'steam' away to somewhere reasonably discreet......

In my honest opinion, stay away from the B&Q boilers, you will regret it in the long run
 
The potterton suprima 80 was installed in the house before we bought it 4 years ago. Is there any way I could tell how old it is? I'm keen to get a new, higher efficiency, condensing boiler but only if it's tangibly better than the current one (monthly bill, CO2 etc)
 
you can expect a 10-15% minimum reduction in your fuel costs when comparing a coventional boiler to a condenser, pull out your bill and do the math, and you'll see what the payback is

it's better for the enviroment as you need not burn as much fuel for your heat, so impact is also reduced by about the same
 
The boiler may be safe but would have a much lower efficiency than modern boilers which means higher fuel bills.
 
Had to get engineer out as boiler would not light. It was last serviced last year and was all ok. This year he said it is an old boiler and should be replaced. The pilot jet had been blocked.
 
I can assume the serviceman checked all safety features on the boiler and checked flue/flame picture etc. He would have informed you and issued you with an notice if the appliance was unsafe.

It is, as I said costing you more money to run compared to modern boilers. It you can afford it, an upgrade would be a long term investment and will save money on fuel bills.
 
He did plenty of check's and said for a new boiler/pump and time clock including fitting it would be aprox. €2,000. From a quick look around this website seem's ok?
I think it would be a condenser boiler as well.
 
The regulations have changed recently and only high efficiency boilers shall be fitted from now on.
Price wise, It depends on size of boiler, is the pump fitted in boiler, is it an independent time clock or one that fits in the boiler interface. Does the quote include VAT?
 
Not sure about size. I think it would be a pump below the boiler like it is at the moment. The timer would be in living room as before. Price includes labour and vat. Any other question's I should ask?
 
It's a reasonable qoute.
Ask them to add a cleasning agent to your system two weeks before the change over. They will drain it out when they replace boiler. When they refill system ask them to add inhibitor.
They should add inhibitor by default but mention it to be sure it is added.
 
What's the inhibitor do? What benefit would you get from the cleaning agent -probably would add more to quote if infact they would do it.
 
They are a liquid and come in 500ml bottles. they cost about €20 each. you could probably do it yourself.
A cleasning agent/desludger breaks down sludge and dirt in your heating system. when left in for a few weeks (heating operated as normal) it cleans inside your pipe work and radiators. The dirty water is then drained out (anyway during boiler change over) and when the system is refilled with clean water an corrosive inhibitor is added to prolong the life of system.
 
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