Which Boiler?

panpan

We are putting in a new boiler and have been offered two choices by our plumber:

1. Worcester Greenstar 15Ri
2. Ideal Logic+ 15

I was wondering if anyone had a preference for each boiler / brand? Also what should we be looking out for when picking the new boiler?

Thanks

bris

Well if that's your only choices you can't compare an Ideal boiler to a Worcester so it's a no brainer really.

tacpot12

Selecting a new boiler is a two stage process:
1 understanding the demands of the heating system and hot water needs
2 selecting the best boiler to meet these requirements

Your plumber seems to have decided what the heating system and hot water needs are. Have you had any input to this?

15kw seems a very low output for a replacement boiler.

- Is your property modern (less than 20 years old)?
- Does it have very high levels of insulation under the floor, in the walls and in the roof?
- Does it have double glazing installed in the last 20 years?
- Do it have underfloor heating or radiators?
- Are the radiators oversized for the heat loss of the rooms?
- How many showers do you have?
- How many baths are there, and how often do people take a bath? (Some large families have two people taking a bath in the same evening)
- Are you having a thermal store or reusing an existing hot water cylinder?

All the above influence whether the plumber has selected the right size of boiler.

Once the size is determined, reliability and then efficiency are the key factors. Worcester and Vaillant are highly regarded for reliability, but reliability also depends on the availability of spare parts and the affordability of repair services. I have direct experience of Vaillant repairs being affordable, but don't know anything about Worcester.

Boiler efficiency is affected by the system that the boiler is connected to, so any figures published by the manufacturer have to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Realistically, unless you are prepared to become an expert in boiler selection, you are better off trusting your plumber, or at least find a plumber who can explain how he has taken the various factors into account to design a system that will be efficient.

southcoastrgi

Seems a funny selection, I would have thought you would have been given a closer selection ie two cheap boilers or two higher quality boilers, you can't compare the two you have mentioned because logics are crap & both have aluminium heat exchangers

silverwhistle

southcoastrgi wrote: »

Seems a funny selection,

He's got them in stock??

System

We have just been choosing a new boiler and have gone for a Worcester Greenstar 29CDI Classic Combi. We are doing it through Brtish Gas and adding the energy saving bells and whistles (Hive and i-something) . Old boiler also Worcester which has served us well for 12 yers. Spare parts no longer available ��

southcoastrgi

Mrs_Arthur_Crown wrote: »

Spare parts no longer available ��

I very much doubt that, everything is probably still available

Dan-Dan

silverwhistle wrote: »

He's got them in stock??

Its not likely that a plumber keeps boilers on the shelf, its more likely he gets trade rewards for fitting those brands if he hasnt expanded on the selection, because most merchants can get most boilers on the market in a day or two

For us we try to push Vaillants but if a customer has mind set on an alternative thats fine too, its their money

stragglebod

My next boiler is going to be either a Viessmann or an Intergas

ohreally

Mrs_Arthur_Crown wrote: »

Spare parts no longer available ��

WB told me a flue extn kit for a RSF wasn't available, yet after a bit of hunting around I found the updated part numbers and now have the extn kit fitted last week.

I strongly suspect WB don't update their spare parts catalogue or don't pass information on to their helpline either that or their helpline is staffed by individuals who have never worked with the products.

panpan

bris wrote: »

Well if that's your only choices you can't compare an Ideal boiler to a Worcester so it's a no brainer really.

Why is it an no brainer? Which one is better?