New boiler required

sevenonine

I'm ready to buy a new boiler to replace my Alpha CB28 which has been limping along these 3 months. I would like to buy the same budget brand (I believe CB29 is the latest) and I have read Martin's advice re boiler scrappage and the warning that the big energy providers, offering £400 discount, still amount to £2,000 for this budget brand. I've also tried Age UK and had a couple of comparisons. Are there any specific websites for boiler purchases?

teddysmum

Buying cheap brands, with short warranties ,whose parts could become unobtainable ,is not economical. The man who fitted our Worcester Bosch, three years ago, says he has had no big problem with this brand , but lots from less known makes.


The big companies offer discounts, but their prices are still sky high compared to those of local Gas Safe companies (even for staff, who get an extra reduction)and there is no longer a scrappage scheme. (It was a number of years ago when I delayed applying so lost out).

System

FWiW, the Intergas range of boilers are highly rated by independent installers as being reliable and simple to repair boilers. This might seem like a slightly odd endorsement but this brand of boiler is being used increasingly in social housing situations.

http://www.intergasheating.co.uk

zaax

I would take what your local freindly plumber as they would be the onces thatwould be called out for repair on the rest of the system.

sevenonine

Many thanks for the link to Intergas (I'd not heard of them before) but as to repairs, I've found it almost impossible to get anyone willing to come out to even look at my boiler and certainly not to repair it. Even the companies listed with Age UK are only interested in selling me a new boiler.

Can you give me any names of "independent installers" who can confirm what you say as I am now looking to buy a new boiler - now called condenser boilers. I could then do a comparison with the firms I have already called as to whether they can carry the Intergas range.

System

sevenonine wrote: »

Many thanks for the link to Intergas (I'd not heard of them before) but as to repairs, I've found it almost impossible to get anyone willing to come out to even look at my boiler and certainly not to repair it. Even the companies listed with Age UK are only interested in selling me a new boiler.

Can you give me any names of "independent installers" who can confirm what you say as I am now looking to buy a new boiler - now called condenser boilers. I could then do a comparison with the firms I have already called as to whether they can carry the Intergas range.

There is a postcode search function for Intergas installers at the bottom right of the webpage. Using a manufacturer registered installer will give you a better guarantee. Get more than one quote and make sure that they discuss such things as radiator cleaning, filters etc. Ask them for details of a happy customer or two that you can contact.

sevenonine

teddysmum wrote: »

Buying cheap brands, with short warranties ,whose parts could become unobtainable ,is not economical. The man who fitted our Worcester Bosch, three years ago, says he has had no big problem with this brand , but lots from less known makes..

Although my present boiler (Alpha CB) is 10years+ it has not given me any trouble until now. I am also thinking of downsizing so a warranty of 3 years+ would be a reasonable option in the circumstances.

sevenonine

zaax wrote: »

I would take what your local freindly plumber as they would be the onces thatwould be called out for repair on the rest of the system.

Thanks, but where are these "local, friendly plumbers" to be found? As I've said above the ones I've encountered are not interested in repairing my boiler.

sevenonine

Hengus wrote: »

make sure that they discuss such things as radiator cleaning, filters etc. Ask them for details of a happy customer or two that you can contact.

Thanks again, I've found a few installers and will be contacting them; by "radiator cleaning, filters etc." do you mean will be done after installing the boiler? Or is this for a service plan?

Raxiel

sevenonine wrote: »

Thanks, but where are these "local, friendly plumbers" to be found? As I've said above the ones I've encountered are not interested in repairing my boiler.

Does your local or county council have a trusted traders scheme? That's where I found mine. You want to search for a 'Heating engineer' (Gas Safe registered), or even 'Boiler fitter' though, rather than a general purpose plumber (although there's usually a lot of overlap).

sevenonine wrote: »

Thanks again, I've found a few installers and will be contacting them; by "radiator cleaning, filters etc." do you mean will be done after installing the boiler? Or is this for a service plan?

It should be done as part of the boiler installation.

System

sevenonine wrote: »

Thanks again, I've found a few installers and will be contacting them; by "radiator cleaning, filters etc." do you mean will be done after installing the boiler? Or is this for a service plan?

If a plumber installs a new boiler on a dirty system then the manufacturer will revoke the guarantee if the boiler fails due to sludge. Over time, radiators corrode internally. Inhibitors can help but over dosing can have the same effect as under dosing. Most installers will insist on either a power flush or chemical cleanse after taking a water sample and looking for iron deposits. Fitting a filter to a new boiler is recommended as it traps the deposits that occur in use. The plumber should clean the filter when the boiler is serviced.

Most problems occur because the customer wants to save a few £s and the installer is happy to do what the customer wants as there is little action that a customer can take against the installer if the boiler has been installed for more than a year. Using a manufacturer registered installer requires that they follow the manufacturer's boiler installation instructions. You are less likely to have an argument about the warranty if you go down this route.