Firebird boilers any good

[Max]

Have oil burning Danesmoor Utility 32/50 on last legs and boiler engineer recommends Firebird (system boiler) as a replacement. Guess would be something like Enviromax 35kW system? Current boiler jetted at 41kW but recently fully zoned my heating system (from previous 1 x hall stat).

He says Firebird went through a rough patch but are now much improved to be more reliable than Grant, super efficient and now fits them in preference.

Also says Grant have dropped off recently and many issues with leaking insides before 10 years old. My Danesmoor must be about 25 years old, so thought of getting just 10 years is very disappointing!

Seen many not very complimentary or mixed comments and issues with Firebird online. Any thoughts or recommendations from the pros? Have they improved recently?

Thanks.

 

[Tea-Break]

This is of course a leading question.
In my opinion, I would advise go Grant.
As long as you ensure you clean your existing system thoroughly, flush new system and add a quality inhibitor, all will be well.

 

[SimonG]

I wouldn't touch grant or Worcester. Every engineer will have a different view. I would be surprised of any new boiler lasting 15 plus years.
Have a look at Hounsfield oil boilers. Very impressed with them.

 

[SimonG]

Why's the danesmoor on its last legs.

 

[Best]

I haven’t seen any of the latest Grant boilers failing. Some HE Grant boilers have now reached over 10 years old and any I installed or service appear to be like new. But you never know the life of a boiler shell

 

[island fling]

I wouldn't touch grant or Worcester. Every engineer will have a different view. I would be surprised of any new boiler lasting 15 plus years.
Have a look at Hounsfield oil boilers. Very impressed with them.

Simon, What do you prefer about the Hounsfield over Grant? I have been fitting Grants for a number of years with a filter & not had any issues to speak of, service every year ect ect
I have had the Firebird rep calling for a number of months & it got me thinking of other options.

Thanks for any advice & sorry if im stealing the thread....

 

[SimonG]

Simon, What do you prefer about the Hounsfield over Grant? I have been fitting Grants for a number of years with a filter & not had any issues to speak of, service every year ect ect
I have had the Firebird rep calling for a number of months & it got me thinking of other options.

Thanks for any advice & sorry if im stealing the thread..

All the grants i see are leaking like no tomorrow.
But i will say it has a lot to do with the installation.

The Hounsfield are a nice solid boiler. Easy to install and service. Worth a look imho

 

[Max]

SimonG. Bottom of firebox corroding through. Smells quite a bit on start up but gases still adjustable within permissible limits (just). Not inside the house obviously or would have to go now. Burner also getting temperamental despite all replaceable parts new within last 4 years or so. Manual pub date 03/98 so seems must be somewhere around 20 years old. Guessing can't go on forever..... Still interested to hear Firebird experiences, especially the more recent ones, but will take a look at Hounsfield too..... never heard of 'em though.......

 

[Max]

Had a look at Hounsfield website and video. It does look very interesting...... seems emphasis on solid old fashioned British engineering. Bit put off by the Bentone burner after my experience with my Sterling ST50 but seems he (Andrew Hounsfield) swears by the BF1 he fits in it. Only issue is seems to only go to 30kW but I might be OK due to my newly zoned system? Guess it needs a proper calc. of full load. Wonder what leakage record is like? Probably too few sold to get any meaningful data? Hounsfield 5 yr warranty, Firebird 10 yr...... does not necessarily mean anything I don't suppose....

 

[island fling]

All the grants i see are leaking like no tomorrow.
But i will say it has a lot to do with the installation.

The Hounsfield are a nice solid boiler. Easy to install and service. Worth a look imho

Nice one mate, Will take a look.
I so far (touches wood) haven't had an issue with any of my own installs from over the years on Grants. I always clean the system (if its running) 2 weeks prior then install a filter with each install.
I have seen a few with issues, mainly combis with leaks but all have undersized expansion vessels & Grants always blame that so no warranty/claims being accepted.

 

[SimonG]

Aye combi and under sized expansion.

 

[island fling]

Aye combi and under sized expansion.

Is that common Simon? Or they just fobbing me off there?

 

[Tea-Break]

Most Oil Combi manufacturers, supply an integral
Pressure Vessel with a capacity of approx. 12L.
This is barely adequate for even the smallest system.
It is sized to protect the boiler and thus requires an additional remote vessel.
Thus this additional vessel is often ignored, resulting in premature vessel/water jacket failure.
Hounsfield boilers do appear impressive, unfortunately they are a little on the expensive side, which no doubt it down to volume.
Is Firebirds’ ten year warranty, subject to conditions? Approved installer scheme etc.

 

[Max]

Yes, understand Firebird warranty is conditional on annual service from the approved installer/engineer but I guess that is parr for the course these days and fair enough I guess. Apparently the 5 year service includes mandatory replacement of the oil pump and the controller at overall cost of around £400. Not sure about that one, but imagine average oil pump life not much more anyway? Just to clarify I'm looking at system boiler, not combi.

 

[Max]

Have a look at Hounsfield oil boilers. Very impressed with them.

Have spoken to Andrew Hounsfield at length. Very impressed with him, company attitude and what appears to be a very solidly engineered boiler. Also his very no-nonsense approach to the warranty offered shows confidence in his product. Pretty sure will go this route. Many thanks SimonG for the pointer. Never heard of them until you mentioned.

Cheers.