Looking for advice about boilers - I don't think I understand the main types!We have a house on three floors in Italy. Every time we visit (at the moment only a few weeks a year as we're working still) we have problems with starting the boiler.
Please can someone help, particularly someone with legal expertise.I own a 1/3rd share in an appartment. I have since fallen out with one of the two other parties.
Thanks for your suggestions. We have a real fire which we use occasionally but that doesn't help with heating the bulk of the house. We have town gas and already have radiators. The issue is reliability each time we go and getting hot water to all 3 floors, plus initial and ongoing costs of course. Need to look into air source heating but would tend to shy away based on its transience and high electricity bills.I am now concerned with new regs as to whether I can put a 40kw combi or even a 33kw inside the house? Do you think a 33kw boiler will work over three floors. Also what are the implications of it being 'condensing'?I have decided against a tank I think due to the added cost of routing and siting also am I right in that it will cost more to keep the water heated?We're in Parma Province and any help is always appreciated. We've just heard that our English project manager is divesting his business interests so we are very much alone now.
Hi, Thanks for your response. As per my reply above, I don't know anything about any laws? Neither do I know about or have currently a second cover! Currently our combi Beretta 24kW boiler is in the downstairs bathroom. Yikes that seems expensive though I don't have a choice but to do something as it is miserable and cold otherwise and even stops me wanting to visit :( All I know is that possibly because we don't use the boiler regularly it keeps blocking and now won't work at all. Language is a problem when things get complicated like this but I just want the cheapest and most effective solution to get heating and water of sufficient pressure to all three floors every time I go. No magic answer I guess but in your opinion can I manage without the added problems of relocating outside and also avoid having a tank?Thanks again.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. You've raised another concern now - the idea of a law saying where it must go! It is currently in the downstairs bathroom. Is there a law that says inside or outside and is there a law stating the boiler requires a tank? Thank you for your help because I am getting more and more confused and unsure how to proceed. I've been reading that the tank has to be above the boiler but we have no loft and the more changes I make, such as tank, hot water cylinder and even pump, the more it is going to cost and if after all of that it still breaks down every time we come it is a real drain on the finances. I'm now wondering if I can just get a 'beefier' combi boiler e.g. 33kW and if that will provide heating and water to all 3 floors?Thanks again.
Thank you so much 'Ram' for your response. I am indeed a named 1/3rd owner. I don't mind selling or being bought out but 12K euros is the ridiculous amount offered. (Again apologies for lack of diplomacy in talking money). I am dismayed that a court could force us to sell at the court's evaluation. In that event would I also incur court costs? If they do works meanwhile do I not even have a say in the matter? It seems like they can do what they like and I either pay now or effectively pay later as it will be taken out of my 1/3 on sale is this correct? Can you suggest what my wisest move should be to retain my position as far as possible? What bills are essential contributions and can I refuse some? I am thinking I should start going there again Is there anything to be gained by that? Hmmm a mess indeed. Definite warning I'd say - even to family members. Thank you all
Thank you Fillide, You are indeed very realistic about the situation. We bought the appartment in 1999 in Lire and the other parties would have us believe it has not increased in value since then - 60,000 Lire. I only mention the numbers because they are so ludicrously low when I also look at what else in on the market in the same town. You are right I guess no one would want it. But I feel we are being pushed to the point that I might give it away. Does anyone know if even that is possible? Thank you for your comments.
Firstly Karen: I agree to both your statements. One party invited a supposedly experienced geometra to view the property and valued it at 30K euros (the entire apartment!!). A young estate agent said 120K euros. Needlesstosay the other two parties only chose to believe the geometra!! We could get our own estate agent but who is to say they will like that valuation. A preliminary enquiry re legal advice was suggested as costing £1000 for an initial meeting. So I feel that the legal implications are disproportionate. You are entirely right though. That is the starting point. Thank you.
Comments posted
Thanks I will look into it. Know nothing about air inverters!
Many thanks for your help. See my reply above. Still at the confused stage I think!
Thanks for your suggestions. We have a real fire which we use occasionally but that doesn't help with heating the bulk of the house. We have town gas and already have radiators. The issue is reliability each time we go and getting hot water to all 3 floors, plus initial and ongoing costs of course. Need to look into air source heating but would tend to shy away based on its transience and high electricity bills.I am now concerned with new regs as to whether I can put a 40kw combi or even a 33kw inside the house? Do you think a 33kw boiler will work over three floors. Also what are the implications of it being 'condensing'?I have decided against a tank I think due to the added cost of routing and siting also am I right in that it will cost more to keep the water heated?We're in Parma Province and any help is always appreciated. We've just heard that our English project manager is divesting his business interests so we are very much alone now.
Hi, Thanks for your response. As per my reply above, I don't know anything about any laws? Neither do I know about or have currently a second cover! Currently our combi Beretta 24kW boiler is in the downstairs bathroom. Yikes that seems expensive though I don't have a choice but to do something as it is miserable and cold otherwise and even stops me wanting to visit :( All I know is that possibly because we don't use the boiler regularly it keeps blocking and now won't work at all. Language is a problem when things get complicated like this but I just want the cheapest and most effective solution to get heating and water of sufficient pressure to all three floors every time I go. No magic answer I guess but in your opinion can I manage without the added problems of relocating outside and also avoid having a tank?Thanks again.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. You've raised another concern now - the idea of a law saying where it must go! It is currently in the downstairs bathroom. Is there a law that says inside or outside and is there a law stating the boiler requires a tank? Thank you for your help because I am getting more and more confused and unsure how to proceed. I've been reading that the tank has to be above the boiler but we have no loft and the more changes I make, such as tank, hot water cylinder and even pump, the more it is going to cost and if after all of that it still breaks down every time we come it is a real drain on the finances. I'm now wondering if I can just get a 'beefier' combi boiler e.g. 33kW and if that will provide heating and water to all 3 floors?Thanks again.
Thank you so much 'Ram' for your response. I am indeed a named 1/3rd owner. I don't mind selling or being bought out but 12K euros is the ridiculous amount offered. (Again apologies for lack of diplomacy in talking money). I am dismayed that a court could force us to sell at the court's evaluation. In that event would I also incur court costs? If they do works meanwhile do I not even have a say in the matter? It seems like they can do what they like and I either pay now or effectively pay later as it will be taken out of my 1/3 on sale is this correct? Can you suggest what my wisest move should be to retain my position as far as possible? What bills are essential contributions and can I refuse some? I am thinking I should start going there again Is there anything to be gained by that? Hmmm a mess indeed. Definite warning I'd say - even to family members. Thank you all
Thank you Fillide, You are indeed very realistic about the situation. We bought the appartment in 1999 in Lire and the other parties would have us believe it has not increased in value since then - 60,000 Lire. I only mention the numbers because they are so ludicrously low when I also look at what else in on the market in the same town. You are right I guess no one would want it. But I feel we are being pushed to the point that I might give it away. Does anyone know if even that is possible? Thank you for your comments.
Many thanks everybody for your time in replying to my predicament. We are a classic case of "it could never happen to us!"
Firstly Karen: I agree to both your statements. One party invited a supposedly experienced geometra to view the property and valued it at 30K euros (the entire apartment!!). A young estate agent said 120K euros. Needlesstosay the other two parties only chose to believe the geometra!! We could get our own estate agent but who is to say they will like that valuation. A preliminary enquiry re legal advice was suggested as costing £1000 for an initial meeting. So I feel that the legal implications are disproportionate. You are entirely right though. That is the starting point. Thank you.