Which Boiler?

panpan

tacpot12 wrote: »

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.

- Is your property modern (less than 20 years old)?

Yes, 13 years old.

- Does it have very high levels of insulation under the floor, in the walls and in the roof?

As much as any new build from David Wilson Homes of that period would.

- Does it have double glazing installed in the last 20 years?

Yes

- Do it have underfloor heating or radiators?

Radiators.

- Are the radiators oversized for the heat loss of the rooms?

Seem average sized to me.

- How many showers do you have?

2 showers in the house for family of 4.

- How many baths are there, and how often do people take a bath?

1 bath, taken once a day or so.

- Are you having a thermal store or reusing an existing hot water cylinder?

This is what's on the quote: Worcester Greenstar 15Ri, Worcester Horizontal Flue, Worcester System Filter/Magnet.

We also have an emersion tank thing in airing cupboard. We will be able to switch it on (gas off but has electric switch) when they are doing the work and still get hot water.


I've also just looked at our current boiler which is an Ideal Icos HE15, which other than a few parts need replacing over the years, we have not had any hot water issues. I presume it being a HE15 means it has similar output to the new boilers offered?

Should we be asking for a boiler with more output then?

Owain_Moneysaver

silverwhistle wrote: »

He's got them in stock??

He only needs to sell one more of either and he gets enough points for a free holiday?

southcoastrgi

OP you have been really lucky with your existing boiler Isar & Icos are two of the worse boilers ever made

Dan-Dan

panpan wrote: »

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

One is a budget boiler one is not

markin

Mrs_Arthur_Crown wrote: »

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 ��

Classic British Gas, Was it also £6K? Rather than closer to 2k.