Which boiler?

[Jonzjob]

At the moment we have an old, about 25 years, boiler running on LPG to power our underfloor heating. We are going to change it for a condensing boiler. We have had a couple of devis (quotes) and they are about the same. The only difference being the make of the boilers.

Geminox or De Dietrich? Which one to choose? The De Dietrich system gives us the chance to upgrade by adding solar and heating the hot water tank at a later date if we want to.

One of the plumbers also said about flushing out the UFH coils to clear any sediment. Is this a good idea or is it likely to cause other problems?

Any ideas please gents???

[Capcave]

I found that buying a condensing boiler in France is an expensive exercise even if you get the tax rebates. Unlike the UK you can use non-condensing boilers and therefore condensing is seen as an expensive luxury (although it is changing). Example is you can buy good condensing boilers in the UK off the shelf for 700-800 pounds (30kw odd) where as a similar boiler in France will start at 2000+ euro and that is for a no-name brand I really wouldn't touch. Some of the German makes sell the same boilers in Uk and France (Viessmann, Buderus) which means you can get support if you don't want to do it yourself but can still get a cheap boiler. I suspect De Dietreich do as well although they are not as big in UK as in France. ELM LeBlanc is another make (owned by Bosch as is Worcester) to look at.

Having said all of that the plumber makes a nice earner on the equipment and you might not be able to find someone to fit a UK import and end up having to do it yourself. Doing it yourself means you need to comply with all the regulations of course !!!. You pays your money and makes your choice.

I flush my UFH through annually (in the summer) just by putting a hose on the manifold and running the water backwards through it.

[ajstoneservices]

It is now part of the regulations in the Uk that all heating systems are flushed as recommended by the boiler manufacture. Most now want the system power flushed.

When in France buy a French boiler? The German 'Wolf' boiler is without doubt the best boiler I've seen, probably available in France as it is now available here. Heating engineers dream, swing out heat exchanger no need to drain(easy to service), control panel (no hair dryer needed), easy access to every part. stainless in all the right places. 12ltr ev. factory commissioned. LPG available. combi takes solar water 60c.

Tony