RE: [Slightly OT] Bolier woes

["Neil Ball" <neilball@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you want to integrate several heat sources then you need to be
looking at
thermal stores/heat banks - generally cylinders with multiple coils for
connecting to the boiler, solar panel, back boiler etc. This keeps the
water
in the different heat sources hydraulically isolated, supplies heat
directly
to the heating system from the tank and uses a plate heat exchanger to
instantaneously heat your hot water thereby supplying mains quality water
direct to your hot taps .



I would stick with the Worcester-Bosch boiler if only because it is more
common than the more complex Viesmann models and therefore easier to find
service engineers to service/support it longer term. I am not a fan of Baxi
boilers in recent times, feedback varies on the different ranges and they
own Potterton which is giving you the problems just now. If you want very
good quality and need a larger boiler output then I would suggest the Broag
Remeha Quinta 30 (28kW output). This can be used with 0-10v input from an
external controls system to control the boiler output which gives scope for
some HA at a later date. I come across them regularly on larger homes and
have found both the boiler range and service from Broag Remeha to be first
rate.



Probably worth posting on the UK Selfbuild site as there are many users of
thermal stores/heat banks there that can offer advice.



Neil B.





_____

From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Paul Bendall
Sent: 01 November 2007 11:19
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] [Slightly OT] Bolier woes



Not exactly HA but I am hoping to canvass some views.

Our current boiler is starting to play up, I keep having to reset it
as it fails to run when required. I know it is a particuliarly bad
model as it has been on Watchdog, Potterton Suprima. In addition it
is non-condensing and the Energy Saving Trust state efficiency of
~75%.

So I am likely to replace it in the next few years, but this posses
some questions:

- Should I go the whole hog and change to an unvented system (what
are the benefits?)

- In the future I plan to install solar panels for hot-water and
also a wood pellet stove for the front room with a small back-
boiler. Therefore, the gas boiler will then become secodary heating
source just providing top-up to the renewable heating supplies. But
I need a system that can cope with this more complex setup.

- Any recommendations on manufacturer? I am thinking Viessmann as
they seem to have a good approach, German engineering and have good
controls and integrated with their own solar system. But I have also
been recommended Worcester Bosch and Baxi.

Any thoughts, comments would be appreciated.

Paul





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