You've just got to have a condenser (Keston Thermomatic Combi Boiler)

Member Name: Botmission

Product:	Keston Thermomatic Combi Boiler
Date:	17/03/05 (3459 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap to run

Disadvantages: Reliability could be a problem

Not strictly a review for a Keston I know, but bare with me.

I recently had to go on a course, yawn, which I didn’t want to but the company insisted. Something about energy efficiency, double yawn.

Anyway it seems that after April 2005, you have to have a bloody good reason not to fit a condensing boiler, by law. Something to do with the greenhouse effect apparently. Although what somebody’s dirty old glasshouse and a few tomato plants has to do with global warming, I don’t know…

‘So what if you don’t fit a condenser, who’s gonna know?’ I said, smugly. It turns out that when you sell your house in the future, you will have to have a ‘sellers pack’. Which, amongst other exciting things, includes details like, when you boiler was fitted and is it legal etc. ‘Oh’ I said. Which carries a fine if it’s not up to scratch. ‘Ah’ I said.

So a condenser it is then. What is a condensing boiler? It’s a very efficient boiler, compared to the average boiler, that’s what. So it’ll cost less to run. I’m assured it will also be as cheap or even cheaper to install than a conventional boiler too. Added to the fact that they are so much better than the originals (are you watching Pottterton Envoy?), it makes very good sense to have one.

Basically, the heat from the burnt gas goes through two heat exchangers to eek out as much heat as possible. After the second heat ex, some of the flue gasses condense to a liquid, and run out to your drain. The rest comes out of the flue as normal, but in a lovely white cloud, which obliterates the sun, and consequently kills all the plants in your garden. And your neighbour’s.

I fitted a Worcester Greenstar recently. A condensing combi. That phrase used to send a shiver down my spine. The two worst type of boiler, in the same box! Fortunately, times have changed, and I have to say that I’m quite impressed with it. I wonder if I’ll still be impressed with it in ten years time? Or ten months time….

So there you are. Just a bit of info really. Condensing boilers are here to stay. Tony said so.

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