Natwerk Designs - What would be the best replacement for my Ideal Mexico 2 boiler?

What would be the best replacement for my Ideal Mexico 2 boiler?

I have an old (maybe 15 years) Ideal Mexico 2 (model number inside the top flap appears to be an Ideal Mexico 2 RS75P), Propane/LPG fuel with heat input of 29.8kW (101.5BTu) and heat output of 22.7kW (77.5BTu). It has become increasingly costly to run, presumably as its efficiency drops, plus of course modern boiler design has moved on masses in the intervening period. The current boiler is floor standing, but there is no absolute need for a floor standing replacement though it would be marginally more convenient. I need to find a Sedbuk A replacement if possible with perhaps a little more oomph than the current boiler which struggles to keep everything warm during the coldest spells in my 4 bed detached house in a rural location (with planned conservatory, floor area approaches 2000sq ft (185m2). I am assuming that a condensing boiler is going to be the way to go, but am unsure what make or model to consider. I have a kitchen, family bathroom and downstairs shower room for hot water demand on top of pressed steel radiator heating. pipe strangler, I do live in the middle of nowhere - rural location in North Essex near Suffolk border - no town gas anywhere near! BTW someone else suggested a weather compensator - anyone got any views on the effectiveness of these? Thanks for answers so far. Hi Turdy Malurdy, Any idea what kind of cost the alpha system is?

Public Comments

First off LPG is dear, so the gas bills will be high. after 15 years good time to change the boiler, al boiler are condensing now so will be a little cheaper to run. There is only on floor standing boiler on the market's that I know off, most are wall hung You can get a boiler out put off 120,000 btu,s make is up to you but stick to the names,Worcester,Baxi,Valiant and you will have no problems.
Do not get a combi.... stick to a system boiler with hot water cylinder!! 35kw band A boiler will be more than enough!! most boilers are pretty much the same, only difference is the after service!!! am sure Ideal still do floor standing boilers and also Potterton!!
Firstly as a suggestion/question do you live in the middle of nowhere or is there a possibility that mains gas is available or will be available in the near future,it may be worth a call to Transco/National Grid or whoever is the transporter in your region(that would be who provides the gas emergency service for natural gas.) It may cost to get it put in but you will get big savings in charges. I am not sure why one of the other posters is against a combi boiler as again that would make savings as you are not heating up a cylinder of water only what you use when you use it. The other thing with sticking to a conventional system is you may well have to upgrade your cylinder to comply with current building regulations and they are not cheap and a few other bits and bobs which are not needed with a combi.I would suggest you get 3/4 quotes to carry out the required works as they would be able to say what size of boiler you are needing but there will certainly be somerthing to fit the bill. EDIT. I would back Turdy on that one,I fitted an earlier version of this a few years ago with the add on water store and the customer was well pleased as they had an enormous whirlpool bath that would have taken days to fill with a normal combi and have had good service from Alpha units in general.
Have a look at this bit of kit,i've fitted a few of these and had nothing but good feed back from the customers.The input of this appliance along with hot water supply would be more than adequate for you needs. http://www.alpha-boilers.com/products/?id=7