Another combi boiler replacement thread

chelly78

Hi there

Currently have a British Gas C1 boiler (approx 13 years old) which needs replacing - has broken down last 2 winters and is very noisy. I live in a 3 bed, 1 bath house. I have obtained 3 different quotes, should be a straightforward swap:

British Gas £3500
British gas 532 32kw, power flush, new programmer

Local Company £2520
Worcester greenstar 29cdi, power flush, Honeywell programmable room stat
10 year guarantee on boiler

Local independent £1874
Ideal logic + 30, powerflush, integrated programmer within boiler
5 year guarantee on boiler

Quotes are pretty different, I've discounted BG as way too expensive. Have read up about Ideal boilers being terrible in the past but ?better now and Worcester boilers seem like they are more reliable although also confliciting views on this. I live in greater London if that makes any difference.

Any advice?

Thanks

thegasmon

BG are on average around 40% higher then local firms.

ideal got a bad rep due to the isar/icos range of boilers that did not age well once fitted. There newer models are alot better designed and have a good record.

WB have a good name, some say they are trading on the name more so then there current range of boilers. What they do have going for them is great customer service. Ive fitted plenty of there boilers and had very few issues really.

as regards the prices they dont seem that bad, your powerflush should be taking most of one day, if its done in a hour or two its not been done correctly.

chelly78

Thanks for the advice - I'm thinking of going with the WB one.

mardeman

we had a quote from a local independant, and then british gas.

local - £2000.00 and BG £3000.00

spent a week negotiating with BG (which surprisingly you can do) and they have now come down £500.

with the fact that I will save £219 as I wont need homecare for a year (yes I know there is a warranty on a new boiler, but who knows what sort of service I would get if I buy from a busy - in the winter - independant) and I also want the new online stuff with BG. it now works out that BG are only £150 more, AND I can spread the payments.

southcoastrgi

mardeman wrote: »

with the fact that I will save £219 as I wont need homecare for a year (yes I know there is a warranty on a new boiler, but who knows what sort of service I would get if I buy from a busy - in the winter - independant) and I also want the new online stuff with BG. it now works out that BG are only £150 more, AND I can spread the payments.

the warrenty is with the boiler manu not the installer, so it doesn't matter how busy he is, but yes being able to spread the payments is easier for alot of people, what boiler did BG & the independant price on ?

evoke

Go with Worcester-Bosch fitted by a local WB approved installer. Try and check ratings for the installer on various trade sites if you can.

The WB warranty is excellent but please make sure that your home is surveyed and things like water pressure and gas flow rate are checked BEFORE any work commences. I learned this lesson the hard way!

Also see if you can get a good wireless thermostat installed at the same time, and perhaps a Magnaclean too.

The WB boiler will only need its first service after two years from new.

Andrew_Cottrell

evoke wrote: »

The WB boiler will only need its first service after two years from new.

It will need its first service after one year, according to the Guarantee Terms and Conditions:

The product must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s user instructions and serviced annually, by a Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd or other competent engineer. Proof of servicing may be required to validate a guarantee.

daveyjp

BG quote is for a more powerful boiler. BG do check water pressure as part of the quote, so if a 32kw is deemed suitable consider getting the other two to requote for something more powerful. It is worth it in the long run as you will get a higher rate of hot water.

evoke

Andrew_Cottrell wrote: »

It will need its first service after one year, according to the Guarantee Terms and Conditions:

That must have changed recently then. My WB-accredited installer stated 2 years to me for the first service. I wiuld have thought he would know!

evoke

Andrew_Cottrell wrote: »

It will need its first service after one year, according to the Guarantee Terms and Conditions:

You are actually correct!

I've just called WB to double-check because one of their WB-registered installers told me the first service is after two years. They have taken his details and will speak to him!