Which boiler type lasts the longest?

[Zig168]

How many years do these boiler types last?

Heat Only

System

Combi

Thanks

 

[Last Plumber]

All much of a muchness to be honest.
If they are installed correctly, on a system which is installed correctly and they are serviced properly (not the FGA and runaway technique). I would expect 10-12 years min. Some get toward 15 ish.
It does vary a bit and I am not sure why. Some last ages and always look new, Some seem to deteriorate quicker.
The type, doesn't seem to matter in my experience.

 

[Chuck]

You'll never get a reliable answer to this sort of question. To answer it, someone would need to analyse about 30 years of historical data from every local authority building control dept matching up the installation of a new boiler to the installation date and type of the boiler it replaced. Even that would only tell you about the reliability of popular boilers that were being installed a decade or more ago.

What is possible to do is to look at the boilers currently on the market and see what 'free warranty' period the manufacturer is offering and use this as a proxy for the expected lifetime.

 

[Zig168]

All much of a muchness to be honest.
If they are installed correctly, on a system which is installed correctly and they are serviced properly (not the FGA and runaway technique). I would expect 10-12 years min. Some get toward 15 ish.
It does vary a bit and I am not sure why. Some last ages and always look new, Some seem to deteriorate quicker.
The type, doesn't seem to matter in my experience.

Thanks LP. Would you happen to know which of these boiler types is easier to maintain/ has fewer maintenance issues?

 

[cjg]

ever one has there own. but for me its baxi and they are easy to service and repair if needed
i still look after a baxi 105e thats still going strong , told them a new one is better but a ho . they will wait till its foo bared.

 

[MAXEON]

All much of a muchness to be honest.
If they are installed correctly, on a system which is installed correctly and they are serviced properly (not the FGA and runaway technique). I would expect 10-12 years min. Some get toward 15 ish.
It does vary a bit and I am not sure why. Some last ages and always look new, Some seem to deteriorate quicker.
The type, doesn't seem to matter in my experience.

What does "the FGA and runaway technique" mean?

 

[cjg]

flue gas analyser....... what is used to check flue gases

 

[Last Plumber]

Thanks LP. Would you happen to know which of these boiler types is easier to maintain/ has fewer maintenance issues?

A regular boiler on an open vented system is the simplest from a maintenance perspective, there isn't much in it between any to be honest. Go for what is best for your own set up.

 

[Last Plumber]

What does "the FGA and runaway technique" mean?

Flue Gas Analysis and run away technique:
Take a sample of flue gases and if they look acceptable, job done! 10 minutes, off to next job.
It is a method used by many when they say they are 'servicing' your boiler. I like to think of it this way, If you took your car for an MOT and they sampled the emissions, gave you a ticket and said its safe, you would rightly be unimpressed. It tells you very little about the actual function of safety features or condition of the subject.

To service a boiler properly will take an hour of anyone's time in my opinion. Maybe a newer modern boiler can be done in 45 min if you are efficient and you know the model.

I have lost count of the boilers encountered that have been 'regularly serviced' according to unfortunate, trusting customers. Boilers which are leaking products of combustion, fuel gas or have some other dangerous issue which has been missed through not bothering to inspect/test it thoroughly. The customer pays good money for the service and deserves the job be done correctly.

 

[MAXEON]

Flue Gas Analysis and run away technique:
Take a sample of flue gases and if they look acceptable, job done! 10 minutes, off to next job.
It is a method used by many when they say they are 'servicing' your boiler. I like to think of it this way, If you took your car for an MOT and they sampled the emissions, gave you a ticket and said its safe, you would rightly be unimpressed. It tells you very little about the actual function of safety features or condition of the subject.

To service a boiler properly will take an hour of anyone's time in my opinion. Maybe a newer modern boiler can be done in 45 min if you are efficient and you know the model.

I have lost count of the boilers encountered that have been 'regularly serviced' according to unfortunate, trusting customers. Boilers which are leaking products of combustion, fuel gas or have some other dangerous issue which has been missed through not bothering to inspect/test it thoroughly. The customer pays good money for the service and deserves the job be done correctly.

Thanks for your answer - much as I suspected as a layman.
What would be a reasonable charge for a proper boiler service on a 7 year old Worcester Greenstar Ecotec 418?

 

[Last Plumber]

Thanks for your answer - much as I suspected as a layman.
What would be a reasonable charge for a proper boiler service on a 7 year old Worcester Greenstar Ecotec 418?

A service on a Worcester Greenstar Or Vaillant ecoTec 418 would be Around the £100 plus VAT mark where I live (North West) give or take £20.
Any parts such as pressure sensors, seals, gaskets etc. would be extra. Most boiler manufacturers will have a set of requirements for each years service. They are in the installation and service manual on site (should be on site).