New Boiler question: Worcester or Potterton

Bernard

Hi,

I'm getting quotes to replace my old Potterton NetaHeta Regular boiler.

I was wondering if the 'British/Scottish Gas Potterton Precision Efficiency Boiler' is better than the ' Worcester Bosch - Greenstar 24Ri' boiler.

The existing gas pipe in my house is too small for modern boilers, so I'm being advised a new 22mm Gas supply will be needed. Bad thing is the Gas meter is on the other side of the house, so its looking about £400 in pipework (ouch).

B Gas have quoted and were pushing their 'British/Scottish Gas Potterton Precision Efficiency Boiler' as it would most likely not require the new pipework. So the quote for this boiler does not include the pipework. When B Gas quoted on the Worcester Bosch - Greenstar 24Ri they did include pipework.

Another plumber advised out of the two the Worcester is far superior. He said he is also surprised to see B Gas think the Potterton would not need the new pipework. The same plumber said he always puts the new boiler in, if it passes the tests using the old pipework you save on the cost. If it fails then you have to get the new pipework.

Any knowledgeable people that could advise?

Thanks

Bernard

swift1_2

I've a Worcester Bosh installed back in 2007! solid as a rock, no probs so far! (touches wooden head quickly!)

southcoastrgi

I would say the gas pipework would need to be upgraded for a 24kw, why a 24kw i bet your netaheat isn't 82,000 btu's ?

macman

You are aware that BG typically quote 40% higher than a local independent GSR RGI?

karenandmerry

Hi Bernard. I'm also looking at new boiler specs. Latest Which reports consistently give Worcester and Vaillant as the preferred options. Worcester currently have a good deal on Greenstar 24Ri (perhaps that's why you chose it above their other specs) offering 5 year's warranty if you buy it before the end of the year.

It looks to me as if Vaillant may be selling better than Worcester, with their ecoTEC plus boilers, and perhaps this is because they have a more state of the art spec, with easier side-access for the installer etc. However in my view state of the art can also be a risk, as it means less tried and tested.

Also, from my limited research, the Worcester seems to be a little cheaper than the Vaillant. Perhaps it would also be worth your while getting an approved Vaillant installer to do a quote too though. It does seem that problems are more likely to be caused by the installer than by the boiler itself. So for myself I am going for an installer who has been recommended by several local friends, as well as being a Worcester approved installer.

British gas installers have the advantage that an inspector comes along afterwards to check, but they do seem to cost more, and you could be unlucky with who they send.

Looking at my council website pages on energy conservation, by chance I noticed that they give £150 grant to anyone replacing an old boiler with a more efficient one... so might be worth checking if yours does too.

Best of luck!

Karen

macman

Why do BG need to send inspectors to check work already supposedly done by competent RGI's?

daveyjp

Vaillant also offer a 5 year warranty if it is fitted by one of their approved fitters.

southcoastrgi

macman wrote: »

Why do BG need to send inspectors to check work already supposedly done by competent RGI's?

thats because most BG installers don't know their gultimus maximus from their elbow

robatwork

My Potterton has a design issue that Potterton have admitted is a design issue. They won't fix it for free but will generously put me onto a heat team contract that costs an arm and a leg.

Go for Worcester and avoid Potterton like the plague.

(You can google Suprima and PCB if interested)

Leif

Isn't WB a lot more expensive? Does that tell you something? Oddly my plumbers recommended a Potterton, but I asked for a WB. Perhaps they are authorised installers for Potterton, and get a good deal, or maybe they get a bonus for selling a large number. Who knows, me cynical, naah.

gas4you

Modern Potterton's are good workhorses these days.

However big is your house to need a 24kw heat only boiler?