SO16_Saint Posted 26 January, 2015 Share Posted 26 January, 2015 (edited) Anyone know much about these? We've currently got a combi boiler (Remeha Avanta Plus) and no thermostat so have just 3 settings; on, off, timer. Thinking of getting the Tado. It's a smart wireless thermostat and costs 7.99/month. http://www.tado.com What I don't quite understand yet is how will this save me money (it quotes 31%) if the boiler will be constantly on? Does anyone with more technical know how than me care to explain? Edited 26 January, 2015 by SO16_Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oracle saint Posted 26 January, 2015 Share Posted 26 January, 2015 I looked at this a while ago and felt it would save me very little although it does some things that are quite interesting; e.g. it monitors your mobile location so it knows how far away from home you are. However how does it work if more than 1 person has a mobile and they are both in different locations? It also looks at weather forecasts and modifies its boiler switching instructions accordingly. However a standard cheap controller and thermostatic radiator valves will probably function more efficiently than relying on the vagaries of a weather forecast; we know how accurate they are! The other point is that the cost of the product would outweigh the savings; you can buy a lot of gas for £100/year. If you adopt a sensible approach to your heat requirements then along with some basic controls and an efficient boiler you will probably end up with a more cost-effective solution. Oh and to answer your question about the boiler being permanently on I think that the boiler would be constantly available to be switched on by a signal from the controller rather than the boiler constantly heating water. Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 26 January, 2015 Share Posted 26 January, 2015 (edited) Sounds like the costs will eat up the savings. My boiler has a simple thermostat located outside the house in addition to the room controller. It knows when its relatively mild outside its doesnt have to heat the radiator water to such a high temperature to maintain the temperature inside the house set by the room thermostat. Boilers are more energy efficient operating at lower temperatures so that saves money. Of course when its really cold outside it whacks up the radiator temperature to maintain the correct temperature inside. It saves money for sure, but Ive no idea how much. Edit, its this. This one only works with Vaillant boilers, maybe there is something similar for yours. It adds 3% to the efficency of the boiler. http://www.vaillant.co.uk/products/domestic-boilers/controls/vrc-470/ Edited 26 January, 2015 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 26 January, 2015 Share Posted 26 January, 2015 Just switch over to an oil fired boiler. They'll be paying me to burn it this time next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SO16_Saint Posted 13 February, 2015 Author Share Posted 13 February, 2015 So still looking in to this, and I need a bridge to make the boiler talk to the wireless thermostat. It needs connecting to a power source. Does anyone know if I can (or someone much more able) connect it to this box which powers the boiler itself or will it need a completely different power source? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 Has anyone switched from a traditional boiler to a combi boiler? My boiler is probably now about 18 years old, runs well, serviced every year, but I think it's hideously inefficient and hate having a hot water tank and shower pump taking up room. Wondered whether to rip it all out for a new combi boiler (for efficiency) and replace the thermostat at the same time with a Nest thermostat; http://www.diy.com/departments/nest-battery-mains-powered-learning-thermostat/535515_BQ.prd?gclid=CPbzj-Dn3sMCFYLMtAod0SkAGQ&ecamp=SEAPLA535515_BQ&ef_id=VDWcxAAAARJbFKWs:20150213112449:s I have no idea whether this is all worthwhile or not - so a serious post from me to anyone that's done this/is in the business/wouldn't recommend? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancake Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 Pat, did that when we had our extension 2 years back. Well worth it. As you say, no shower pump, no tank. Combi works a treat. Got a wireless thermo we move round to where we are in the house and it's great too thinking of changing it to one I can control on the phone/tablet once I get round to sorting the new alarm/cameras/lights (my thinking is a central control for everything when I'm out of the house) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 Pat, did that when we had our extension 2 years back. Well worth it. As you say, no shower pump, no tank. Combi works a treat. Got a wireless thermo we move round to where we are in the house and it's great too thinking of changing it to one I can control on the phone/tablet once I get round to sorting the new alarm/cameras/lights (my thinking is a central control for everything when I'm out of the house) Thanks, that's useful to know - I do like the idea of wireless thermostats too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 Has anyone switched from a traditional boiler to a combi boiler? My boiler is probably now about 18 years old, runs well, serviced every year, but I think it's hideously inefficient and hate having a hot water tank and shower pump taking up room. Wondered whether to rip it all out for a new combi boiler (for efficiency) and replace the thermostat at the same time with a Nest thermostat; http://www.diy.com/departments/nest-battery-mains-powered-learning-thermostat/535515_BQ.prd?gclid=CPbzj-Dn3sMCFYLMtAod0SkAGQ&ecamp=SEAPLA535515_BQ&ef_id=VDWcxAAAARJbFKWs:20150213112449:s I have no idea whether this is all worthwhile or not - so a serious post from me to anyone that's done this/is in the business/wouldn't recommend? Thanks! Changed mine 4 years ago. The difference was instant and by the end of next winter it will have paid for itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 Thanks, that's useful to know - I do like the idea of wireless thermostats too. I think most are now. Mine is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 (edited) Has anyone switched from a traditional boiler to a combi boiler? My boiler is probably now about 18 years old, runs well, serviced every year, but I think it's hideously inefficient and hate having a hot water tank and shower pump taking up room. Wondered whether to rip it all out for a new combi boiler (for efficiency) and replace the thermostat at the same time with a Nest thermostat; http://www.diy.com/departments/nest-battery-mains-powered-learning-thermostat/535515_BQ.prd?gclid=CPbzj-Dn3sMCFYLMtAod0SkAGQ&ecamp=SEAPLA535515_BQ&ef_id=VDWcxAAAARJbFKWs:20150213112449:s I have no idea whether this is all worthwhile or not - so a serious post from me to anyone that's done this/is in the business/wouldn't recommend? Thanks! I installed a totally new heating and hot water system five years ago. I considered a combi but in the end went for an unvented mains pressure system with everything installed in the loft, so creating more space . It means you get fantastic showers and fast filling baths without the need for a pump - the hot water comes out with the same force as the cold. With a combi system you generally get a lower flow rate and pressure drops when someone turns on a tap elsewhere or the boiler starts heating the radiators. Imo if you've got a small house and theres just two of you go for a combi. If you've got a bigger place with more than one bathroom go for an unvented system. It is more expensive but worth it imo. Whatever you get don't be seduced into getting a cheap boiler, stick with Vaillant or Worcester Bosch and get someone good to install it. Poor installations cause all kinds of problems. Edited 13 February, 2015 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 Has anyone switched from a traditional boiler to a combi boiler? My boiler is probably now about 18 years old, runs well, serviced every year, but I think it's hideously inefficient and hate having a hot water tank and shower pump taking up room. Wondered whether to rip it all out for a new combi boiler (for efficiency) and replace the thermostat at the same time with a Nest thermostat; http://www.diy.com/departments/nest-battery-mains-powered-learning-thermostat/535515_BQ.prd?gclid=CPbzj-Dn3sMCFYLMtAod0SkAGQ&ecamp=SEAPLA535515_BQ&ef_id=VDWcxAAAARJbFKWs:20150213112449:s I have no idea whether this is all worthwhile or not - so a serious post from me to anyone that's done this/is in the business/wouldn't recommend? Thanks! Modern condensing boilers, either combi or not, cost more to repair and service and you don't get the lifespan that you used to get with the old style boilers - parts are more costly, the heat exchangers fail on average, after about 5 years, and you are lucky to get more than 7 years out of one before the cost of repair outweighs the cost of replacement. They aren't as efficient as they make out either. The return hot water (which goes through the heat exchanger for re-use) needs to be about 55 deg to get anywhere near the sort of efficiency %ages that are paraded about. The average temperature coming back in is likely to be between 60 to 70 degrees on a cold day, when you need it most. Add to that the corrosive nature of the condensate which shortens the lifespan of the exchanger, the possible freezing of the condense pipe and, IMHO, it's all a bit of a myth really. IMHO it's far more prudent to decrease the heat loss in the house fabric in the first instance. More loft insulation, cavity wall insulation if appropriate, better windows, lagged pipework, etc This places less demand on the boiler, so should be of more benefit and will make the boiler more efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 (edited) Modern condensing boilers, either combi or not, cost more to repair and service and you don't get the lifespan that you used to get with the old style boilers - parts are more costly, the heat exchangers fail on average, after about 5 years, and you are lucky to get more than 7 years out of one before the cost of repair outweighs the cost of replacement. They aren't as efficient as they make out either. The return hot water (which goes through the heat exchanger for re-use) needs to be about 55 deg to get anywhere near the sort of efficiency %ages that are paraded about. The average temperature coming back in is likely to be between 60 to 70 degrees on a cold day, when you need it most. Add to that the corrosive nature of the condensate which shortens the lifespan of the exchanger, the possible freezing of the condense pipe and, IMHO, it's all a bit of a myth really. IMHO it's far more prudent to decrease the heat loss in the house fabric in the first instance. More loft insulation, cavity wall insulation if appropriate, better windows, lagged pipework, etc This places less demand on the boiler, so should be of more benefit and will make the boiler more efficient. Agree about the insulation but disagree about the lifespan necessarily being shorter, its just that there is a lot of cheap rubbish about. Decent boilers have stainless steel heat exchangers and if the system is flushed properly first and a magnaclean or similar is installed it will last 10-15 years. Both Vaillant and Bosch offer 5 year guarantees and you should get at least double that life. Edited 13 February, 2015 by buctootim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 13 February, 2015 Share Posted 13 February, 2015 its just that there is a lot of cheap rubbish about. Decent boilers have stainless steel heat exchangers and if the system is flushed properly first and a magnaclean or similar is installed it will last 10-15 years. Both Vaillant and Bosch offer 5 year guarantees and you should get at least double that life. While there is cheap and nasty boilers, there are also vastly over priced ones. Bargains are out there. Vailant are decent but no better than a cheaper Worcester which in turn is no better than an even cheaper Ideal Logic or Logic +. All have long warranties, decent heat exchangers and pcb's. The ideal is the boiler of choice for many building firms and developers. The savvy buyer would install the ideal, have an equally good boiler, save money and have the benefit of a 5 or 7 year warranty. Vailant also have poor warranty repair times and parts availability is an issue. I know several installers who avoid them. The Heatline Capriz plus is a bargain. Its a Valiant company and is effectively a rebadged Valiant but at almost half the price. On the original question, I'm not sure of the need for a smartphone controlled stat. Seems ott to me. A decent programmable thermostat and trv's should give sufficient control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mightysaints Posted 14 February, 2015 Share Posted 14 February, 2015 I got a remote stat from screwfix. Easy to install and operate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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