advise on best boiler pls

[artie guber]

following a visit a few weeks ago from a plumber on a heating matter it was recommended that at some point in the near future i should get my baxi bermuda back boiler replaced with a modern combi boiler

because i believe in being 'in the know' on such matters, before i proceed to get a plumber in (in due course) i would like to know what boiler type to go for and what to avoid. I am in a bungalow, with just me the occupant, with 7 radiators scattered around.

Lets assume i am not on a budget - nor am i a great believer of saving the planet. I want a really good quality boiler with well made parts that are not likely to fail one day after the year's guarantee. I am not looking for cheap and cheerful. I would rather have reliability over efficiency any day. I really do not mind spending more money so long as it is quality. I hear condensing boilers are more trouble than they are worth. I am also aware that Baxi have a combi model that replaces their own old back boiler (but are not popular with plaumbers due to the awkwardness of installation)

So what do you guys recommend (what would you install in your own house if fitting a boiler from scratch, or replacing one in a close relative's house). What are the good brands to buy, and what are the ones to avoid like the plague. I see alot of new build wimpey/bovis etc homes in my work and many of the people living there have mentioned boilers going wrong within a couple of years or so of buying the place (i am a locksmith by trade).

hope you can take a few moments to advise and then when i call local guy at least i can pretty much say what i want (or more importantly dont). There are probably a load of questions you need to ask me before advising, as i guess it probably isnt as simple as just saying buy brand X and not brand Y. Fingers crossed though

 

[Whyme]

Fraid it will have to be condensing, cant be anything else wether it be open vent or combi..Just hang on a bit and loads of folk on here will give pros and cons of boilers they fit..

 

[plumber0808]

In my own house I would fit a Intergas, I would also recommend a worcester.

 

[Roger Welton]

Intergas all the way, less bits to go wrong.

Intergas - Smart Choice

 

[Dotty]

Worcester for me....

There i've said it!

 

[Whyme]

vaillant (now the common probs have been addressed although controls not easy), worcester (reliable but mostly plastic components), ive heard rave reviews about intergas but never seen one fit as yet..Also the new version of the viessman vitodens is supposed to bo good..........Dont go with baxi they had there day with the good bbu's.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Worcester for me....

There i've said it!

Where'd the dislike button.

Intergas for me all the way.

 

[plumber0808]

There's a Intergas 36/30 in my dining room ready for Monday

 

[TBServices]

Ask 10 fitters and you'll get at least 8 different answers.

The quality of the installation is just as important as the choice of boiler.

At the moment I'm fitting ideal logics, because in my eyes, they're the best value for money considering the quality.

 

[artie guber]

In my own house I would fit a Intergas, I would also recommend a worcester.

blimey - loads of options

thanks guys

pos/neg results so far:-

intergas 2 pos
worcester 2 pos - 1 neg
vallinat 1 pos
viessman 1 pos
ideal logics 1 pos
baxi 1 neg

only 4 moving parts in the intergas - loving it already!!!


keep them coming

are there any absolute dogs to avoid?

 

[plumber0808]

Ideal logics+ are decent for the money, 5 yr warranty.

also nice looking boilers and very user friendly.

 

[Dotty]

If you fit a Ferroli I have ways of finding you so we can come and demolish your house..........

 

[TBServices]

are there any absolute dogs to avoid?

Best question to ask tbh.

Ferroli
Heatline
Biasi
Ravenheat

The list goes on....

I like the intergas concept, but they're butt ugly if its to be on your kitchen wall.

 

[Whyme]

basically if you've never heard of the name theres usually a reason. i agree with tb if its intergas id stick it in the garage or an airing cupboard..also just gotta say all boilers at some point will need parts etc just like a car ,there the heart of your house and for some reason a lot of folk dont mind maintaining there car but get funny if there boiler plays up. what im trying to say is more money better boiler but it might still play up. good luck deciding,:wink:

 

[artie guber]

ooh - intergas now has 4 plusses

and i reckon any boiler will be in my old airing/hot water cylinder cupboard so not in view particularly

 

[TBServices]

The real benefit of the intergas is the lack of a diverter valve for me.

Also, no built in exp vessel, so you can site a robokit anywhere you like.

 

[leethegasman]

There's a Intergas 36/30 in my dining room ready for Monday

I do my scrap run on a Monday also

 

[Derek Hardman]

Worcester Bosch 29cdi, use a WB accredited installer and you can get 8 years guarantee.

 

[Whyme]

The real benefit of the intergas is the lack of a diverter valve for me.

Also, no built in exp vessel, so you can site a robokit anywhere you like.

is the prv internal or is the whole kit external ?

 

[TBServices]

is the prv internal or is the whole kit external ?

Depends which kit you buy I think.

 

[artie guber]

thanks guys

pos/neg results so far:-

intergas 5 pos
worcester 3 pos - 1 neg
ideal logics 2 pos
vallinat 1 pos
viessman 1 pos
baxi 1 neg

dogs to avoid:-
ferroli
heatline
biasi
ravenheat

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

The TP house would totally go with that list. I would put give another + to all those on your plus list.
We most often install WB and that is obably what we would put in our own home.

Currently we have a Remeha - they are good too.

As I am not a heating engineer - like you. I would look at beyond the actual install.
A good guarantee is good - you know you just need to pay for a boiler service every year and if there are any problems there will be free parts and labour.

How easy will it be to get parts and repairs done in say 10 years time?
If you buy baxi (baxi group) or WB or Vaillant I know you will have no problems - they all have excellent teams of engineers directly employed with good fast response. Also independent heating engineers will be familiar with and have trained on these makes.

 

[Trev]

I only fit Vaillant and find that the newer ones are very reliable and pretty easy to work on when something does go wrong. Also, you can get 7 years warranty with them now if installed correctly.

I would say you would be better looking for a good installation company over worrying about what brand. A lot of companys offer breakdown covers which is what you want to be looking at!

 

[TBServices]

I only fit Vaillant and find that the newer ones are very reliable and pretty easy to work on when something does go wrong. Also, you can get 7 years warranty with them now if installed correctly.

I would say you would be better looking for a good installation company over worrying about what brand. A lot of companys offer breakdown covers which is what you want to be looking at!

And during those 7 years, they'll harass you with offers of overpriced servicing. At the end of that 7 years, they'll write to you again, telling you your boiler is now an antique and try to sell you another, again, at an overpriced rate through Helplink, an utterly terrible company.

I used to be a Vaillant man, but their current sales technique, as well as their new user UNfriendly interface has driven me away.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Having just replaced nearly £200 worth of parts on a 3 year old Vaillant I'm not a huge fan.