Anybody know about combi boilers?

Ader1

I've been offered two estimates for installing a heating system in my house. The two plumbers are fairly similar in their quotes but they mention different types of combi boilers. The first is a Vaillant ecotec pro combi boiler & flue. The second is a Worcester 32CDi combi boiler and a wireless control. Does anybody know which of these is the better system? Thanks.

Doozergirl

Well, Vaillant only make the ecotec pro in 24kW or 28kW which means you've either been given slightly the wrong name of Boiler or your gas man is quoting you for two different specifications of output - which makes no sense.

32kW is big producing boiler. The number of kWs needed for heating is actually in single figures, so the spec is all for hot water. Given that you lose pressure on a combi boiler when you try to run two showers (eg) then you don't really need a huge output as the need is lost.

Our preference is for Worcester Bosch. They come top rated by Which and have a longer guarantee, which I always think is a better sign of confidence by manufacturer in their own product. Just get the output right. WB have a 'which boiler is right for you' section on their website. No point spending more on something that will never be used.
http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/mobile/boilers/find-a-boiler

Ader1

After all costs including VAT, the guy quoting for the Vaillant comes out at £600 less than the other. Should I ask him to be more specific regarding the spec?

Doozergirl

Ader1 wrote: »

I've been offered two estimates for installing a heating system in my house. The two plumbers are fairly similar in their quotes but they mention different types of combi boilers. The first is a Vaillant ecotec pro combi boiler & flue. The second is a Worcester 32CDi combi boiler and a wireless control. Does anybody know which of these is the better system? Thanks.

Ader1 wrote: »

After all costs including VAT, the guy quoting for the Vaillant comes out at £600 less than the other. Should I ask him to be more specific regarding the spec?

Yes! The Vailliant is £300 odd less expensive than the Worcester.

Did you use the link? What did it suggest?

Ader1

It suggested a 32 CDi Compact; a 34CDi Classic and 30Si Compact.

I've been quoted for the 32 CDi Compact.

This boiler comes to around £1000 incl of VAT. I know there are radiators and pipework but the final cost for the guy suggesting this system is just over £6000 incl VAT. Where's all the cost coming from? Pipes and radiators can't be that expensive!

Doozergirl

Ader1 wrote: »

It suggested a 32 CDi Compact; a 34CDi Classic and 30Si Compact.

I've been quoted for the 32 CDi Compact.

This boiler comes to around £1000 incl of VAT. I know there are radiators and pipework but the final cost for the guy suggesting this system is just over £6000 incl VAT. Where's all the cost coming from? Pipes and radiators can't be that expensive!

Okay, so he's speccing the system right for you. Does the house have a heating system at the moment? Are they completely plumbing the place with new pipes and radiators?

Ader1

It had storage heaters which were old so yes, they will be completley plumbing the place with new pipes and radiators. I did suggest that the old pipework to the bathroom (except for installing a new shower cubicle rather than the old which was above the bath) could be left in there but the plumber said that he wouldn't then guarantee if something went wrong there which is fair enough.

The other guy offering the Vailant quoted £5400 incl of VAT..

In both cases, I'll be lifting some flag stones in the kitchen for waste pipework and hot-cold to the sink unit there.

Doozergirl

Ader1 wrote: »

It had storage heaters which were old so yes, they will be completley plumbing the place with new pipes and radiators. I did suggest that the old pipework to the bathroom (except for installing a new shower cubicle rather than the old which was above the bath) could be left in there but the plumber said that he wouldn't then guarantee if something went wrong there which is fair enough.

The other guy offering the Vailant quoted £5400 incl of VAT..

In both cases, I'll be lifting some flag stones in the kitchen for waste pipework and hot-cold to the sink unit there.

I'm not surprised at the quotes, to be honest. Piping is exceptionally expensive. British Gas would probably charge that for just the boiler! The prices are within 10% of each other as well.

How are they running the pipes? Are they using copper traditionally soldered, or push fit, or plastic pipes and push-fit? Not a fan of pushfit here - seen too many problems immediately after fitting but not so immediate it doesn't cause major probelms with new plastered ceilings!

Ader1

Plastic pipes and they will be by use of pipe trunking on surface. Chasing walls to accommodate heating pipes would be extra.

Doozergirl

Ader1 wrote: »

Plastic pipes and they will be by use of pipe trunking on surface. Chasing walls to accommodate heating pipes would be extra.

No, no, no. Cheap and ugly. Where are you? How old is the house?

Ader1

That's what one of they guys said. The other said that he could put the pipes just above the skirting where they wouldn't at all be plain to see. I'm in s Wales.