Comments on: Questions for UK gas boiler fitters. Is a condenser boiler the same as a combi’ boiler? My exsisting one is

By: plumbergl

plumbergl — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:47:59 +0000

A condensing boiler is a high efficiency boiler and these are the only boilers now allowed to be fitted (unless there are very unusual circumstances).

Condensing boilers can be wall hung or floor standing.

A condensing ‘combination’ boiler will do away with the need for a seperate hot water cylinder and storage cistern in the loft.
A condensing ’system boiler can be adapted to your present heating system as can a condensing ‘open vent or heat only’ boiler.
You need to speak to a plumber to advise you which is best for your circumstances.

Please, please take my advise and fit a Vaillant condensing boiler. This manufacturer is by far the best on the market and believe me, there is a lot of rubbish out there!

Visit the Vaillant web site and contact them to ask for recommended installers in your area.

Vaillant are a little more expensive than others but the engineering is superb and as with all things in life – you get what you pay for!
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By: Paul L

Paul L — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:20:59 +0000

A condensing boiler is one that recondenses the water vapur in the flue gasses to extract the latent heat of vaporisation which would otherwise be wasted to atmosphere. They are also known as High Efficiency boilers. A combi boiler is a boiler that does away with the need for a hot water cylinder or storage tank in the loft by heating water instantaneously within it as it flows through from the mains. A non combi boiler is one that is just a heat source used to heat external cylinder and radiators. Both combis and non combis can be made in high efficiency condensing versions, and indeed by law with very few exceptions you will need to fit the high efficiency version. Cost depends on a lot of factors but you will need your rads and pipe-work cleaned prior to fitting of new boiler as the high efficiency heat exchangers are badly effected by scale and sludge.
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By: simon b

simon b — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:51:59 +0000

No you can have a combi or conventional boiler as a condensing boiler. A condensing boiler is just a more efficient version of previous units.
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By: old know all

old know all — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:22:59 +0000

A condensation boiler is a combi boiler, but not all combi boilers are condensation boilers.

If you replace your boiler, you get a condensation boiler. It’s likely to be wall hanging unless you have a huge house. You don’t have a hot water cylinder. The boiler heats the hot water directly – and that’s where the problems start.

You need to site the boiler reasonably near the kitchen sink and bath or you’ll waste a lot of heat getting the water there from the boiler. A condensation boiler in the garage is not usually ideal. If your airing cupboard is against an outside wall, you could have the boiler in there, where the cylinder used to be.
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