Combi Boiler Replacement

Bendy_House

Do they both have Ali exchangers, or is one SS?

alleycat`

I have the 835 (as opposed to the 830). It's been solid so far (but it's only 2 years old). Warranty is dependent on annual servicing as is the norm.

Previously i had a W/B regular boiler which was solid for a decade (only replaced due to house renovations and needing to move to a combi). It never needed touching (beyond emptying a magna clean regularly).

Prior to that i had a Baxi solo pro (or something like that) which "ate" its way through PCB's at an alarming rate). On that basis alone i'd never have a Baxi ever again (your mileage may vary).

My Plumber of choice doesn't recommend w/b combis due to the amount of issue he personally has had (leaks). He likes the w/b "regular" boilers just fine though.

He now prefers to fit the vaillant or ATAG as combis.

Planeteer

@Bendy_House yes, apparently both alu, not SS.

Bendy_House

Planeteer said:

@Bendy_House yes, apparently both alu, not SS.

Ach, well, I'd have used that as the clincher - if it were needed.

It would be unfair of me to cite Ali as being of secondary quality, 'cos I just don't know. I suspect that these will be Ali alloys in any case, so undoubtedly more resilient. I just recall - from the earlier days of condensing boilers - one manufacturer going the 'Ali' route, and the failure rate was spectacular (they basically fell apart in the acidic condensate). But if the top brands are using Ali these days, they must have surmounted that issue.

Och, for the hell of it, see if there's an Intergas installer near you, and get a quote. To be a devil :-)

plumb1_2

Planeteer said:

Final question - considering Vaillant ecofit Pure 830 (£2375) vs Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000/30 (£2685), both with Hive. Any votes either way? (And is an aluminium exchanger an issue?)

Very poor hot water flow rate😳 on the 830

I’d go for a ecotec personally 

Bendy_House

Plumb1_2, do you have any thoughts or experience of Intergas? They caused a bit of a stir when they first came seriously on to the UK market a few years back, but it all seems to have gone a bit quiet since then.

alleycat`

plumb1_2 said:

Planeteer said:

Final question - considering Vaillant ecofit Pure 830 (£2375) vs Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000/30 (£2685), both with Hive. Any votes either way? (And is an aluminium exchanger an issue?)

Very poor hot water flow rate😳 on the 830

I’d go for a ecotec personally 

That's the main reason we chose the 835 over the 830 in the end.

It's been a while but i didn't think the ecotec was much better flow rate wise (i could be remembering wrongly).

I do remember the ATAG was a lot more but had a lot of bells and whistles (just stuff i worry will go wrong).

I admit i'm somewhat "iffy" on the Ali heat exchanger but the warranty offsets it to a degree.

Is there a particular reason you would favour the ecotec (for my own interest as it's a bit late for me now)

Another_Level

Planeteer said:

Thank you so much guys. Based on your suggestions, I have been doing some more research on the future of gas vs electricity and came across the following intent by the UK government  to shift green levies from electricity to gas bills, making the latter more expensive than electricity in the long run. However, given the anticipated rise in gas price, I doubt the UK government  will be able to pile on the pressure on gas prices (even though they are less than electricity). Would that sway you to look at an electric boiler or a heat pump instead?

https://www.ft.com/content/54b437ad-4683-434e-89aa-e26772092b31

Gas will get more expensive but not unaffordable 

Getting a new combination gas boiler will last around 15 years (if maintained by an engineer Not a sales person). In 15 years time its prudent to consider if a change in heating fuel if necessary.

If your staying in the property you can have a top of the range boiler fitted or if you're intending to move in 15 years, just have an entry level boiler fitted. 

Ideal have entry level boilers, your independent is one. There produced for retailers who sell them to new build housing estates, housing associations,council contracts, landlords and any one really.
Not all boilers are listed on manufacture internet sites, ideal play that game.

[Deleted User]

Gas has been way too cheap for years - it was almost 'free' until recently! 

karenburton1305

From personal experience I have found it's best to replace the whole boiler as something else nearly always breaks once you've got it repaired especially with it being on older boiler too. When my boiler went I used toasti, they were very helpful and reliable, not forgetting to mention a lot cheaper than British gas!