Spec me a boiler

Bluecube

Bluecube

Bluecube

Soldato
Joined
20 Feb 2011
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My current gas boiler is over years old and is starting to creak a wee bit so I’m going to have it replaced in the next few months. I’m looking on this as an opportunity to get a more efficient and, hopefully, a generally all round better boiler. The problem is that I’ve no idea about boilers and what to look for so I’m looking for some pointers.

My house is reasonably big with four bedrooms, dining room, family room and all the usual rooms on top of that. There are thirteen radiators in total. I also have a separate hot water tank.

So what should I look for?

TIA
 
Bluecube said:
There are features? I thought a boiler was a boiler and that it boiled to down to efficiency and that was that...
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My list was, Opentherm built in, Stainless exchange, high modulation, mine also has a full LCD screen no error codes if something needs attention it tells you in plain english and even pictures.
 
TNA said:
Thanks. Never heard of them, will take a look. I usually just go Vaillant .
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Vaillant and Worcester Bosch are the top 2 for long term reliability.

As for the OP you want to spend thousands replacing a fully functioning boiler which has some creaking sounds?

you do realise it's the pipes creaking not the boiler?

Therefore you would literally be ******* it up a wall
 
Talking to my plumber, who has been a Worcester Bosch installer for years, he is starting to see a rise in new boiler failures, whereas originally they were just about the most reliable boiler on the market. Apparently Baxi seem to be the rising star currently, for both value and reliability
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Vaillant and Worcester Bosch are the top 2 for long term reliability.

As for the OP you want to spend thousands replacing a fully functioning boiler which has some creaking sounds?

you do realise it's the pipes creaking not the boiler?

Therefore you would literally be ******* it up a wall
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Creaking as in old age. Not to be taken literally. Parts are becoming hard to get so I’d rather get a new boiler now rather than have it break completely in the middle of winter. 20 years is a good innings.

Been looking at Worcester Bosch and not been too impressed with their warranty. If they’re so reliable then why only a miserly 5 years?
 
Bluecube said:
Creaking as in old age. Not to be taken literally. Parts are becoming hard to get so I’d rather get a new boiler now rather than have it break completely in the middle of winter. 20 years is a good innings.

Been looking at Worcester Bosch and not been too impressed with their warranty. If they’re so reliable then why only a miserly 5 years?
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Are you sure i thought most new boilers get 10years. I got 10 years on mine, they now package it as the Vogue Max meaning it comes with the filter and that gets 12 years.
 
Are these warranties not a bit worthless as they expect you to get your boiler serviced by someone qualified every year? That usually costs £80-100 to do that, in London anyways. We only get our Vaillant ecoTEC serviced when there is an issue which is not often.

I know how to diagnose simple issues like water pressure etc and keep everything at correct levels and not had issues for quite a few years now.

I like the look of the Vogue Max, but not sure on their long term reliability.
 
robj20 said:
Are you sure i thought most new boilers get 10years. I got 10 years on mine, they now package it as the Vogue Max meaning it comes with the filter and that gets 12 years.
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Could’ve been a guarantee from the shop rather the manufacturer but didn’t look it.

TNA - I have my boiler serviced every year since it was four years old. Also, while past performance is no guarantee of future performance, the Vogue Max is made by Ideal who made my current boiler.
 
TNA said:
Are these warranties not a bit worthless as they expect you to get your boiler serviced by someone qualified every year? That usually costs £80-100 to do that, in London anyways. We only get our Vaillant ecoTEC serviced when there is an issue which is not often.

I know how to diagnose simple issues like water pressure etc and keep everything at correct levels and not had issues for quite a few years now.

I like the look of the Vogue Max, but not sure on their long term reliability.
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they are a con as it has no serviceable parts. it's just a yearly check they do.

it's £60-£80 per year iirc and my boiler is also 20 years old now. if you paid £80 a year over 20 years that is £1600. enough to buy a new boiler.

i got mine serviced when i moved in as it was free with my mortgage. i haven't bothered since and I won't. if i get a new boiler in future i know a guy who is a heating engineer of sorts who would take a look if i had any issues. new boilers should tell you if it isn't operating correctly if you buy a decent one.
 
I thought about this recently mine is 2 years old nearly. But is it worth paying the £55 or so the local place charges for then to check the flue gases because that's all they do.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
they are a con as it has no serviceable parts. it's just a yearly check they do.

it's £60-£80 per year iirc and my boiler is also 20 years old now. if you paid £80 a year over 20 years that is £1600. enough to buy a new boiler.

i got mine serviced when i moved in as it was free with my mortgage. i haven't bothered since and I won't. if i get a new boiler in future i know a guy who is a heating engineer of sorts who would take a look if i had any issues. new boilers should tell you if it isn't operating correctly if you buy a decent one.
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Yeah. It adds up. I think servicing should be every 3-5 years. If every year then it should be £25 or something as the guy does it in less than 30 minutes.

When I do eventually need a new one I will look at which company offers better warranty and make sure they do not insist on having the boiler serviced every year. Pretty sure last I look Vaillant wanted it serviced every year for the warranty to be valid. Wtf.
 
TNA said:
Yeah. It adds up. I think servicing should be every 3-5 years. If every year then it should be £25 or something as the guy does it in less than 30 minutes.

When I do eventually need a new one I will look at which company offers better warranty and make sure they do not insist on having the boiler serviced every year. Pretty sure last I look Vaillant wanted it serviced every year for the warranty to be valid. Wtf.
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Its par for the course.

Every single one will stipulate that. It's a scam as it has to be a qualified vendor that does it too.

Just buy your boiler on the basis it has no warranty. Or pay for the yearly service by a suitable vendor.
 
Makes you wonder if that's why certain venders push the boilers with longer warranties in the hope you use them for servicing.
Something with 1 year warranty they might fit the boiler and never hear from you again until you need a new one in 20+ years.
 
I bought a Glowworm with 7 year warranty last year, called them out when we started using it more in the winter because it made a clicking, a Valiant technician turned up and resolved the issue and then did a full check of it. Been spot on since and still 6 long years left. Really happy with it and the service I got from them.
 
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