New combi boiler

hazel_davey

I have 2 bed flat, 6 rads and 1 barhroom. I have an Alpha combi which is working ok now but has cost me over £1k in repairs over the last 18 months.

I've had a quote to fit a Vaillant Glowworm 35 Cxi with a Horizontal Flue ( boiler comes with a 5 year warranty). Any feedback on that boiler or make?

I don't like the way manufacturers are forcing plumbers into fitting one make of boiler by offering longer warranties....you might like the plumbers, but of course you're going to want the 5 yr guarantee rather than 2!

gas4you

Personally wouldn't fit a Glow Worm again. Fitted a couple and had problems with reliability.

Awkward to work on as well.

Unless you have tremendous cold water flow/pressure, I would doubt you need a 35Kw.

Has your cold mains been tested for the above?

hazel_davey

Not tested, but it's mains pressure.

hazel_davey

And I should have asked - what's the best to go for then?
My sister has a Vaillant and it's had problems - only fitted a couple of years ago. Vaillant after-sales has been poor...

BaldPlumber

Personally, I like the Baxi Duotec's. Have fitted the entire model range, plus the corresponding megaflow system boiler equivalent and have never had a call back.

gas4you

I agree with your findings about Vaillant after care service, although I have just found out Baxi is not much better.

Fitted a new Baxi this week, went to fire it up yesterday and dead out of the box! Baxi were coming today, now phoned up and cant come till next Wednesday grrrrrr!. Customer not happy, understandably, lucky for me they supplied the boiler and I was just fitting it.

Just having 'mains pressure' is not a lot of help. You need to know the flow rate in l/m to be able to decide which combi is suitable for you.

I'm fitting Atmos or Intergas at present.

Rus13

This really is an open debate as every RGI has their 'preferred' brand they like to install, or a few of them. In terms of quality and performance, vaillant or wb are up there, but there are others, like the glowworm as per your quote.

Always best to get 3 quotes from installers if you can, not just one. This will give you a better overview of what you are getting for the money. I would say a ecotec 831 or 837 dependant on your hot water usage would be a good bet.