I’m going to say my 1937 Ideal number 7 boiler is hard to beat. It’s been in continuous service for 87 years now and it’s still working great. I highly doubt any boilers built today will last anywhere near 87 years.
As mentioned once here before by a customer who was advised to look after the water quality being most important, i have been in the trade for 40 years and this is our strongest recommendation for a reliable modern boiler. Sludge and rust kills boilers. We mainly install Intergas Rapid for a combi boiler due to only 4 moving parts, open therm ready and good value. We have 15 year old boilers still going strong. Worcester personally i tgink are over rated, costly and awkward to maintain, 10 /15 year lifespan as most are not maintained correctly.
Normally fit viessmann boilers, but for budget jobs it will be an ideal, of all the viessmann’s I’ve fitted customers very happy and good backup from warranty, normally next day call out
As a system boiler they should consider the whole system. Heat loss calcs. Even more paramount when fitting ASHP or GSHP. as they may only give 5 to 10 KW output. Next would be the insulation. Does the loft have 40 cm of insulation? Are doors, windows and floors drafty? What are the existing rads and pipework like, old, rusty clogged up. Do they have TRVs? Maybe a powerflush and MagnaCleanse. Then it is down to the nitty gritty with cost of boiler for the correct size boiler with a 10 to 15 % extra for when is gets to minus 5 or 7. I have had Glowmorn and Potterton which both lasted years and repair parts available for 10 - 15 plus years. Need to also factor in the human element. 3 bed house with 3 people vs a 3 bed house with 6 people.
I’m a landlord and at least 15 of my properties have Vokera boilers. As long as the heating system is thoroughly flushed prior then they’re reliable and last 10-15 years. They’re so cheap that I consider them to be disposable. Tenants like to see brand new boilers rather than well maintained older models.
Most installers seem to go with whatever parts are most easily sourced irrespective of whether its a good boiler or not. The quoted efficiency difference among brands tells you zero in the real world. Not one boiler installer for bosch mentioned weather compensation or the water filling accessories. Heating controls was even less use.
Whatever the reasons for a boiler change and boiler choice, the number one consideration,(assuming the overall installation is compliant), the system water quality is paramount!! As a very experienced service engineer put it to me, a clean boiler is a happy boiler. Proper flushing, proper chemicals and commissioning! If it's one in one out same day, then that doesn't meet any customer nor industry standards!
Absolutely John that is very good advice, water quality is extremely important to modern efficient boilers. Sadly not catered for by many engineers as in to much of a hurry to finish job.
allen please cover best system boilers and regular boilers, there are a wide range of prices, but a number that have limited tech that may affect future changes as well as green credentials, since one well known brand has a non modulating pump still on the market
Important one I think you missed is that boiler supports openthrem protocol this allows you to use third party devices to communicate with the boiler. Worcester and vaillant don't support it. Manufacturers devices are more expensive compared to third parties.
Hi, I am getting an alpha e tec 33w plus combi will this be ok for a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom semi detached house. and are alpha boilers reliable. thanks for a great video as usual
Have an alpha he cb33 over ten years and only replaced pressure switch more important to me is hot water flow rate as always seems to be someone in shower but can still use hot tap without drastic loss in shower power
Ideal Vouge is an amazing boiler I would personally recommend 10 year warranty decently priced and all brass parts apart from 1 thing which they changed to plastic but they are confident with the decision but overall literally all parts are made of brass plus very easy to service
I have just placed an order for a heating engineer to fit an Ideal Vogue max system boiler, somIm hoping it’s good. I chose it with advice from the heating engineer because I want hot water priority and the Ideal Vogue can switch hot water and weather comp. I’m pleased to hear you think they are good as well, it looks well made and reviews say they are quite easy to service
Hey Allen, I need some advice on my boiler. The central heating doesn't work but HW works fine. The programmer calls for heat and the receiver lights up. But still no CH. I changed the actuator on the diverter valve since it was rusted and the pin was stuck. I even changed the cartridge inside. Still no luck. Still no CH. Could it be an electrical issue? I'm still an apprentice so I don't want to fiddle about too much as we still need hot water and I don't wanna end up busting the boiler.
Ideal vouge best brass parts easy to maintain other manufacturers use cheap plastic parts even hydro block out of plastic also time proven partscon Ideal reliable parts
Thanks for the videos Allen, they are really helpful. Unfortunately, I seem to have a big problem with my main combi boiler. The heating works great, but the hot water does not stay hot when filling a bath. It starts hot then goes cold and hot and so on........ you are left with a luke warm bath. I have had three parts replaced, the diverter valve, heat exchanger, service kit fitted, and a new water filter. Unfortunately, the boiler is still doing the same thing. The plumber turned up the temperature to help, but it isn't much, to be honest. Can you think of anything else I could have replaced to sort out the water ? The plumber is talking about a new boiler, which is around £4,000 and I really can't afford this. I have to look at a loan soon to replace my car because it's not ulez compliant, and my workplace is within the new zone Khan is bringing out in August. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated, Allan. Many thanks, Martin
Sounds like the water pump is not sending a constant pressure or that your main pressure is going up and down. If its just one set of taps then it would usually be the tap thermostat itself, if it happens much the same on other taps then it's the pressure of water. I would get a second opinion plumber who installs your boiler brand.
Also it depends on how old your combi is. You can understand your cold water mains pressure by googling this online. If the mains is good (no need to be great) then it's the hot water generation or the feeding of that to be mixed with cold to your mixer taps
I don’t really like or dislike any brand, I just give my opinion on the product at the time. In my opinion the service from Worcester is good and i am quite impressed with the new 4000, Although i don’t work on them every day so it would be wrong for me to say they are a good boiler.
@@maxnavsa4470 I was wondering why baxi wasn’t mentioned many boilers still only modulate 6 to 1 it’s only the plus 1700 price category that to support 10 to 1 . There heat only is a good easy product to look after it’s only the pcb is a little problematic when the fan start to pack up
I would only recommend a top brand boiler to a customer as they might struggle getting engineers to work on lesser named brands. I would not consider Viessmann and Aplha to be a top brand name in my opinion.
