Can anyone recommend a reliable gas boiler?

Pincher

Stop this fantasy of finding a mythical boiler that will never breakdown, even if you don't service it for years. You need a "man", a Super Dave if you will, and get him to marry your daughter.

Get your daughter to bring him once a year, and service your boiler.

Ideally, you would use Katie Price's DNA to genetically engineer a daughter for the demographics.

thestens

Thank you all for your replies. We are a bit stuck here as the boiler isn't working, leaving the tenants, who have 3 kids, with no hot water or heating. Our letting agent is putting pressure on us to get it sorted asap - understandably I suppose. We have looked at the Which report and suggested 2 recommended boilers to the agent to get their plumber to price. They suggested a Potterton boiler, which we aren't keen on, as the reviews aren't particularly good, but we may be forced to go with that if they can't fit the Vaillant one we have chosen, just due to time pressures. As we have just spent £400 on this boiler which has been labelled "rubbish", we are loath to pour more money into it. Its all a gamble really, isn't it??

penrhyn

Potterton boilers are a Baxi brand along with Main. I would guess a budget version.

Pincher

Potterton and her (Its) sister brands are supported by Heat Team, which I love to bits. I almost look forward to calling Heat Team, just so I could repeat the truly excellent service the one time I had to call them. He had the spare part in the van, because Potterton is THEIR product.

southcoastrgi

they could get a Vailliant off the shelf just as easy as a Potterton so time isn't an issue, price should only vary with the cost of the boiler & flue, labour & the amount of work is no different

oldskoo1

What is the problem that is so expensive its more economical to write off the boiler?

I still think you should be looking for another engineer

ollski

There is only a requirement for manufacturers to supply spare parts for 8 years so I wouldnt be chucking much cash at anything like an ideal, ferolli, heatline or ravenheat or any other budget boiler
I think worcesters are still the only boiler to work in condensing mode for heating and hot water which gives them slightly better efficiency.

Robwiz

Seven years out of a condensing combi isn't bad. Combis are prone to early failure particularly in hard water conditions due to limescale build up.
For a rental property just budget for a replacement every 5 years or so.

As Cardew said, all brands have their ups and downs. Worcester have done well on their track record but I've heard some RGIs talking about reliability issues on current models. We had a Potterton installed around 2000. There was a design problem and poor manufacturing on the control board – once we bought a reworked exchange pcb it has been fine.

RGIs will offer you what they will make the most profit on. The boiler manufacturers offer all kinds of incentives, like free caribbean holidays, to their installers. Never trust the advice of someone who is selling you something.

southcoastrgi

Robwiz wrote: »

RGIs will offer you what they will make the most profit on. The boiler manufacturers offer all kinds of incentives, like free caribbean holidays, to their installers. Never trust the advice of someone who is selling you something.

not all of us :mad:

we all have our fav's but I fit what is suitable for my customers not because I get points or a freebi, a happy customer is a repeat customer & will recommend you, which is far more important

ollski

Robwiz wrote: »

RGIs will offer you what they will make the most profit on. The boiler manufacturers offer all kinds of incentives, like free caribbean holidays, to their installers. Never trust the advice of someone who is selling you something.

The holidays are more for office monkey buyers and specifiers for larger businesses, most rgis tend to get a t-shirt, baseball cap, pen or if you're really special a jacket so you can be a walking free advert!