...or not.
I simply hate Combi boilers. Heralded as the answer to our hot water and heating needs, I have yet to witness one that actually does its job properly. Usually, they manage to frustrate me at every twist and turn.
Let's look at the claims:
1) Eco-friendly and Energy Efficient.
In a spirit of fairness and love, I have to concede that many of these boilers are quite cheap to run.
2) A constant supply of hot water.
J'accuse. Whether it's a dribble of hot water, or a stream of tepid water or a burst of blindingly hot water followed by minute after minute of almost cold water - whatever the unfortunate combination the Combi rarely fails to disappoint.
What really gets my goat is that they work in reverse. A Combi boiler can start off really hot - as soon as the tap is turned, and then go stone cold after a few seconds. How does it do this? How can it store the hot hot water IN the tap?
Other times, no matter how much huffing and puffing you hear from the the little beast in the corner, the water never comes hot at all.
The upshot is that whenever I approach a hot tap, I usually end up not getting what I want.
Oh no! - are you thinking: “Well, we've got one and it isn't too bad...”
Perhaps we should start wanting stuff that is really really good? What is it with the English anyway?
Arrrrrghhhhhhhhhh!
I'm sorry, I'm too upset to continue.
So, you hate the shower too? That produces a stream of water at exactly the correct temperature and maintains it too.
Methinks your problem is with the kitchen tap rather than the combi boiler.
When we had an ordinary boiler, if two people wanted a bath in close succession, there was never enough hot water stored in the tank. Not a problem with a combi boiler.
I can see this getting interesting. ;-)
Posted by: Liz Marshall | April 14, 2006 at 06:07 PM
Yes, I'm sure the combi boiler would spurt out its usual inconsistant dribble for long enough to not entirely spoil two or more bathtimes.
But no, this is not about the kitchen tap, it's about a lifetime of hating combi boilers and now, finally, having the inner strength to hate them in public.
(The shower gets cold during use as well - not as consistent as you might think)
Posted by: AndyC | April 14, 2006 at 06:29 PM
I lived in that house almost consistently for 4 years... I love the combi boiler and the hot steamy water it produces... The water pressure is excellent and the only time I have ruined a bathtime is by not turning the cold tap on during running time (which I daren't do here... after all don't need to, bath is half full and the hot tap reduces it's dribble of hot water for cold cold water!) and having scorching hot bath which I daren't do more than dip my toe in... then have to significantly reduce bubbles by letting some water out and running cold in. Aside from the FO mode... which really isn't a major problem at all I would vote combi boilers all the way, excellent shower, excellent hot water, if you don't like it, you live here and I will return to my much loved and missed shower!
Posted by: Louise | April 15, 2006 at 12:01 AM
Oh the joys of central heating, I have just had the heating done, and a new boiler installed (combi) with my old combi it used to take 15 mins to fill the bath. and now only 5 and it's hotter water, and at a better pressure, the house is warm, for the first time in 2 years. and my mother in law,who is visiting, has for the first time admitted that she does not need to wear her thermal vest when here. first time in 9 years.
However only two weeks in to new heating, so all could change!
Posted by: claire cooper | April 15, 2006 at 09:09 AM
It's no use blaming the cistern.
Posted by: Jason | April 16, 2006 at 09:15 AM
Thanks, Jason. You are a beacon of good humour and sanity in my increasingly unhinged world.
Posted by: AndyC | April 16, 2006 at 02:07 PM
Steve and I have 20 years of excellent combi boiler experience - we wouldn't have anything else. So there.
Posted by: christine | April 16, 2006 at 11:39 PM