Does new boiler make sense?

sb29

We bought our first home 1 year back and we are also new to the UK, so don't have much experience with boilers or CH.

The house came with a Vokera Vision 30c boiler with 1 year of warranty remaining (warranty lapses next month). However, it has already broken down twice in one year, which the warranty covered fully.

We recently got a quote for a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i for about £1800. Does it make sense to get this now or just wait for the current boiler to break down? I am inclined to replace the boiler but also concerned that given my lack of knowledge about boilers, I am not throwing out a perfectly good one that would have many years of life left with minor repairs.

[Deleted User]

Yes the WB Greenstar 30i is the boiler I  installed as a replacement for an Ariston unit that was out of warranty and suffered a break down in January of 2019!  Although I was on a boiler care plan at the time it was a wakeup call and decided that it was time to go for a more modern boiler so had the WB unit installed by an accredited WB installer and got a decent repair 10-year parts and labour warranty to boot.  All I need is an annual service to keep it validated which I have done.  If you are going to replace it entirely then please some local quotes as I had my WB installed (and serviced) by a local accredited WB plumber/heating engineer for less than the well-known nationals (with some additional piping it came to a total of £1740 so the figure you have quoted looks about right so long as it is an all inclusive price (don't forget about VAT)!  I have peace of mind and know that if the unit breaks down it should be repaired more quickly than happened with a more generic boiler cover as it should be repaired by a WB engineer although only time will tell.  So that is my experience.  WB do get good reviews BTW - or at least they did when I got mine in 2019.  I can tell you that being without a CH boiler due to any extended breakdown or more that a day or two is no fun in the middle of winter as it was for me in 2019.         

[Deleted User]

WB are no longer primus inter pares in my opinion. I bought a new build property 2 years ago with WB Greenstar boiler. So far this year WB has had to replace the fan; syphon and heat exchanger. In fairness, their service engineers have been first class. If I was replacing my boiler today, I would look at either Intergas or Atag both with Opentherm controls. Intergas boilers are used a lot in social housing - not because they are cheap: they just work.

theoretica

I would put the money aside and wait for a major break down - sure it might happen at an inconvenient moment, but it seems an expensive way of trying to reduce that chance. On the other hand it might run for years more with only minor issues.

Brewer20

I'd take a chance as the above poster and give it a little longer.
On the Worcester Bosch boilers, we replaced our 24 year old Worcester (yes it was Worcester back then) with a new WB combi boiler 3 years ago. Our son has had the same 2 years ago. The engineer that fitted both has the same make fitted in his rental homes, he fits them because he can rely on them doing there job without him having to worry about breakdowns or very little going wrong.
He recommended another make (for the life of me I can't remember the name) that he also fits. Because we've had the previous boiler for a good few years we went with that brand again. No saying if it will last as long, doubt it as things go nowadays they have shorter lifespans.
The quote you've had seems about right, my son got quoted £1700 two years ago, mine was £2300 but I had 2 radiators changed, additional pipework and a more expensive room stat/control unit.

Zellah

Wait until your existing boiler goes totally kaput or is uneconomical to repair before splashing out £1000s on a new boiler. As others have already said, Worcester Bosch are no longer the boiler brand they used to be, but not the worst either. I would be looking to get a Veissman or Intergas boiler. I have a Veissmann and I consider it to be the 'Miele' of boilers

JGB1955

I would keep the current one until someone tells you that spare parts are no longer available.  Our last boiler was replaced (after 30+ years) when we had our kitchen refitted a couple of years ago.  I'm hoping our new boiler outlives us....

nwilson101

Ex hubby went on exotic holiday 2 yrs ago, switched off boiler and removed boiler instructions. Have had no central heating since so frozen to death.

For first time in 2 yrs just before Xmas the central heating suddenly worked- just for one evening. Coincidentally ex was seen visiting a female neighbour at this time (they have been warned to keep a look out for) and police alerted as part of his bail conditions.

Spent Xmas Day and Boxing Day trying to sort out using instruction manual found online.  Eventually had to call out a boiler engineer as foing everything right but wouldnt start. Emergency boiler engineer been advised boiler fine but apparently radio thermostat device is missing.

Evidently ex has 'enjoyed' me being permanently freezing cold for 2 winters, and not only stole the instructions but must have taken/stolen the radio thermostat and keeps it in his car as a trophy!

Rang Worcester Bosch service and told 'must' get a service plan costing £50 a month for first 6 months. When I queried this saying the boiler costs only £950 new, the Filipino simply said this is a cheap price.

I don't see how paying for the cost of a wholly new boiler within 18 months is a bargain? Do Worcester Bosch boilers fail after 18 months on average which is assumption behind quote price offered?

Or are Worcester Bosch simply trying to exploit me and compound and add to the ex's abuse by charging through the roof?

Note nowhere can I find Worcester Bosch boiler plan prices on their website. It seems they sign you up first before they charge you? I thought such sales behaviour was illegal 60 yrs ago?
 
Nice to know this German company seems to flout all rules of decency and sales law. (Sadly just like its sister companies VW, BMW and Mercedes poisoned and gassed 20m Europeans to an early grave with EU Commission support).

Can anyone recommend a sensible alternative to ensure getting some heating after 2 yrs and  2 hrs of coercive control from ex?

Zellah

nwilson101 said:

Ex hubby went on exotic holiday 2 yrs ago, switched off boiler and removed boiler instructions. Have had no central heating since so frozen to death.

For first time in 2 yrs just before Xmas the central heating suddenly worked- just for one evening. Coincidentally ex was seen visiting a female neighbour at this time (they have been warned to keep a look out for) and police alerted as part of his bail conditions.

Spent Xmas Day and Boxing Day trying to sort out using instruction manual found online.  Eventually had to call out a boiler engineer as foing everything right but wouldnt start. Emergency boiler engineer been advised boiler fine but apparently radio thermostat device is missing.

Evidently ex has 'enjoyed' me being permanently freezing cold for 2 winters, and not only stole the instructions but must have taken/stolen the radio thermostat and keeps it in his car as a trophy!

Rang Worcester Bosch service and told 'must' get a service plan costing £50 a month for first 6 months. When I queried this saying the boiler costs only £950 new, the Filipino simply said this is a cheap price.

I don't see how paying for the cost of a wholly new boiler within 18 months is a bargain? Do Worcester Bosch boilers fail after 18 months on average which is assumption behind quote price offered?

Or are Worcester Bosch simply trying to exploit me and compound and add to the ex's abuse by charging through the roof?

Note nowhere can I find Worcester Bosch boiler plan prices on their website. It seems they sign you up first before they charge you? I thought such sales behaviour was illegal 60 yrs ago?
 
Nice to know this German company seems to flout all rules of decency and sales law. (Sadly just like its sister companies VW, BMW and Mercedes poisoned and gassed 20m Europeans to an early grave with EU Commission support).

Can anyone recommend a sensible alternative to ensure getting some heating after 2 yrs and  2 hrs of coercive control from ex?

BIB - didn't the service engineer offer/quote you to replace the missing part? if not, maybe look for another engineer (yellow pages?). 

[Deleted User]

nwilson101 said:

Ex hubby went on exotic holiday 2 yrs ago, switched off boiler and removed boiler instructions. Have had no central heating since so frozen to death.

For first time in 2 yrs just before Xmas the central heating suddenly worked- just for one evening. Coincidentally ex was seen visiting a female neighbour at this time (they have been warned to keep a look out for) and police alerted as part of his bail conditions.

Spent Xmas Day and Boxing Day trying to sort out using instruction manual found online.  Eventually had to call out a boiler engineer as foing everything right but wouldnt start. Emergency boiler engineer been advised boiler fine but apparently radio thermostat device is missing.

Evidently ex has 'enjoyed' me being permanently freezing cold for 2 winters, and not only stole the instructions but must have taken/stolen the radio thermostat and keeps it in his car as a trophy!

Rang Worcester Bosch service and told 'must' get a service plan costing £50 a month for first 6 months. When I queried this saying the boiler costs only £950 new, the Filipino simply said this is a cheap price.

I don't see how paying for the cost of a wholly new boiler within 18 months is a bargain? Do Worcester Bosch boilers fail after 18 months on average which is assumption behind quote price offered?

Or are Worcester Bosch simply trying to exploit me and compound and add to the ex's abuse by charging through the roof?

Note nowhere can I find Worcester Bosch boiler plan prices on their website. It seems they sign you up first before they charge you? I thought such sales behaviour was illegal 60 yrs ago?
 
Nice to know this German company seems to flout all rules of decency and sales law. (Sadly just like its sister companies VW, BMW and Mercedes poisoned and gassed 20m Europeans to an early grave with EU Commission support).

Can anyone recommend a sensible alternative to ensure getting some heating after 2 yrs and  2 hrs of coercive control from ex?

!) The Cost of a new boiler will probably set you back in the region of £2000, possibly cheaper depending on the brand chosen.  If you can get a new boiler supplied and fitted for less than £1000 please let this forum know from where.

2)  The cost of one-off repairs (out of warranty) is steep I agree but details are actually on the WB site if you look carefully

https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/support/boiler-repair/out-of-guarantee-repair  and you can either stump up £298 in one-go OR pay for a boiler care and repair plan.  I would look through their t&c carefully before making a judgement on them.

If you go with BG for a one-off repair this could be anywhere from £99 (quick fix) - £499 (just for 2 hours !)

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/home-services/boilers-and-heating/boiler-and-heating-repair.html

SSE will set you back £295 OR a service plan.  So all these firms will generally set you back in the same region.

Of course you could ring up a local heating engineer but there is no guarantee that you won't be fleeced in this situation.  Or better still you could try a locally accredited WB engineer who supplies and fits WB boilers.  Your choice.

3) The boiler should still function with manual controls at the boiler assuming that the boiler does not have any damage.  The programmer unit (and room thermostat) just make it easier for you the end-user to control the heating and hot water to your liking.  But these controls packs alone will be in the region of £60-£80+ so bear that in mind.

(4) Most boilers have a reset button - have you tried this?  Make sure the water supply is pressurized to one bar on the little dial somewhere on the boiler.  Check that this boiler is out of warranty as you never know you may still be covered if it is still within warranty!  If none of these simple things work then I'm afraid there is no alternative but to get professional advice and, as you have found out, this is likely to cost £300+.  But at least you will have a functioning boiler again.

coffeehound

Wireless wall thermostat should be relatively easy and inexpensive to replace; people are trying to take advantage, nwilson101.

[Deleted User] said:

WB are no longer primus inter pares in my opinion. 

Needed to Google that.  Which is odd since it's a common English phrase.  Was it an Archer novel?