New boiler - Alpha or Vaillant? Please help

northern_star

We need a new gas boiler and are finding it difficult to decide between two engineers. One recommends the Alpha CD35 (which carries an impressive 7 year parts and labour guarantee), the other recommends the Vaillant Ecotec Pro 28 or Vailliant EcoPlus 831 (Both with 3 year parts and labour guarantee). We have researched as best we can and have found customer reviews for the Valliant boilers (varied opinions) but are finding it difficult to find customer reviews for the Alpha. Does anyone here have experience or advice to offer, please? This is a really big investment for us and something we want to make a good, informed choice on.

Canucklehead

northern_star wrote: »

We need a new gas boiler and are finding it difficult to decide between two engineers. One recommends the Alpha CD35 (which carries an impressive 7 year parts and labour guarantee), the other recommends the Vaillant Ecotec Pro 28 or Vailliant EcoPlus 831 (Both with 3 year parts and labour guarantee). We have researched as best we can and have found customer reviews for the Valliant boilers (varied opinions) but are finding it difficult to find customer reviews for the Alpha. Does anyone here have experience or advice to offer, please? This is a really big investment for us and something we want to make a good, informed choice on.

Good morning: I'd choose the Vaillant Ecotec Plus over the other two but would recommend a Viessmann (5 year parts and labour)...option of the 100 or 200 series. Keep in mind, a boiler is only as good as it's installation and annual servicing. More here.

HTH

Canucklehead

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I've got an alpha. Does the job, the radiators are hot, the water is hot, the solar water is hot. Didn't pack up in the snow like everybody else's boiler seemed to do this winter.

haz31

Can't comment on Alpha but we had our Vaillant boiler installed about 10 months ago and it's been great. It's keeping the house nice and toasty - has it been cold? I hadn't noticed

alanobrien

I have a vaillant and its a very good boiler but if i were to replace it i would definately consider the Alpha which has a good reputation and a better guarentee than the vaillant.

Please also take notice of Canucklehead's words of wisdom, any boiler is only as good as the installation and maintenance.

Energyman2020

I don't have much experience of Alpha as I always use Vaillant - Ok their guarantee isn't as much as the Alpha, but their build quality is great, and also my customers keep telling me how good they are.

langsmith

My brother fits boilers & swears by Alpha boilers, reason... customers service + support etc. is way way better !

I myself have a Glowworm Flexicom boiler, nothing but trouble each year from new. Will never have one fitted again, and yes you guessed it, Vaillant own Glowworm !

He has been on site with a customer before, explained issue, and Alpha arranged for a new boiler to be on site the very next morning 10am, That's service !!! With Glowworm, they replace parts, causing more downtime to you as a customer and take + 2 days to be on site if lucky. They have been out every year for the last 3 years to mine.

My last boiler was in the house for over 27 years, that only broke down once in the time I've lived in my house, 16 years.

Today, I know which I would have in the same situation.

barry_island

hi we have an alpha boiler cd18r less than 5yrs old.Under southern electric central heating cover plan.In November a fitter replaced the 3 way valve because the boiler was not working correctly[a gas valve failed in the first year and the fan needed replacing just after the 2yr warranty ran out Alpha were less than helpful] and since then every time the boiler fires up it sounds like someone inside with a hammer trying to get out.Southern electric say they have done all they can under the plan and we need a new heat exchanger and power flush £800.So now we have the installer looking at it and he`s at a loss.He`s hoping his friend an Alpha technician can help
I would stay away from Alpha if I was you,
Barry Island

planemad

The best boilers on the market for homeowners are Broag Remeha - Vaillant and Worcester Bosch

These are what my firm fit all day long, will not fit anything else. Its not down to the discounts and rebates that we get it down to the fact that they rarely break down.
We hardly ever get customer call back after installation.

I would and have personally fitted a Vaillant Ecotec 831 to my house (but got a 5 year warranty as we are premier suppliers).

Also ensure that all older pipe work is correctly flushed, fit a Magnaclean device and ensure that you use Fernox F1 dosed to the correct level.

If you need anymore advice please PM me.

vikingaero

We have a Vaillant and can recommend them. Near silent and you can feel the heat in the rads a few minutes after switching on. We avoided the Worcester Bosch because of the possible freezing problem.

Energyman2020

Energyman2020 wrote: »

I don't have much experience of Alpha as I always use Vaillant - Ok their guarantee isn't as much as the Alpha, but their build quality is great, and also my customers keep telling me how good they are.

Have fitted Worcester's in the past, but have had probelms with their service, so stopped using them ,and the freezing condensate problem hasn't helped.