Combi Boiler swap

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949835#Comment_81949835

I'm happy to do that, not stuck on Boxt just putting the feelers out at this point. I suppose as Boxt were offering £2.4K all in on my original search, which was quite a bit lower than I was anticipating, that was leading me to pulling the trigger earlier than I was expecting. I'll have a look around what is available in my area as well, I would definitely be happier with a visit first (or sharing pics/videos of the current set up).

QrizB

I had my non-combi boiler replaced by BOXT last autumn. The installer came ~40 miles from west London and was quick and efficient, if not quite as tidy as I'd hoped.

He replaced my 20-year-old WB with a Vaillant. This needed a few pipework adjustments as part of the task but everything went smoothly.

I chose the free Hive Mini. It does the job.

I might've been able to find a cheaper local installer but BOXT made everything simple and it all turned out OK.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949936#Comment_81949936

As the OP has a WB ( and so do I - non combi) Can you say why you switched to Vaillant ?

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81949940#Comment_81949940

BOXT offered me the choice of a WB or a Vaillant. Prices were similar and the two brands seemed much of a muchness. What swung it for me was that the Vaillant claimed a slightly lower minimum output. From observation my boiler spends most of its time ticking along at an average 3-4kW of output, and the Vaillant promised longer cycle times (and thus fractionally higher efficiency) under these conditions.

WIAWSNB

Hi Altior.

The flue hole should determine the exact positioning of the new boiler - the installers will want to avoid core drilling at all costs.

The pipework will need significant mods as they are completely different makes of boiler, but that's standard stuff - it should still be neat.

As the boiler is slightly smaller, then, yes, almost certainly you'll have sight of some bare wall that hasn't seen paint for a good while! No, they won't sort this, so you either DIY it, or get a handy person in for an hour's work. The Q is, do you have paint that matches?

The ESi programmer appears to be a decent model, and might come with a wee stand, but you just find a suitable home for it and ignore it - unless you need to override the program. A Google suggests it can be operated by phone App - is that of interest?

I now get bogged down as always on this. The ESi has 'Opentherm' control which should give you a more efficient system, possibly saving as much as 10% on your gas bills (it controls the boiler more cleverly). However, the WB does not use OT, but their own protocol. So, really, a dedicated WB controller should surely be used?

The latest Hive MIni also has OT, but that's also no good with a WB. Lawdie.

I'd add that the Hive Mini is a wee cracker, but you need the App as it's hell to program without it, and easy with.

Altior

I've never seen behind the boiler. Although I was the first owner, it was completed before I first viewed the property. When I finally moved in, it was almost a year after the completion date, and we had seen a winter. It was set to permanent low at 10c, I assume to prevent freezing pipes while unoccupied.

Below is a picture behind the boiler. It doesn't look pretty! To my untrained eye it looks like it has possibly started to come away from the plaster. It does vibrate a lot now, which I'm assuming has caused the elevated noise. I know less about DIY than boilers, so I would be getting someone in to make good, lol.

Yes an app works for me, if the original thermostat becomes redundant, that can be removed and made good too.

As far as I know I am replacing essentially like for like in terms of boilers, but obviously different manufacturers.

WIAWSNB

It seems completely absurd to me that Boxt offer the ESi and the Hive, but neither will get the best out of the machine. Bonkers.

I've seen one (a 4000) in a house recently, and it had the dedicated Comfort+ 2 controls, which I played with. Not impressed by either its aesths or ergos - it's ugly and not intuitive, and has a poor display when adjusting it - but I'm guessing it uses the best control protocol for the boiler?

It's also stupidly expensive - more than the others. Bonkers.

Not sure if it can use an App.

What I would do is to call or chat with WB, and ask them which controls use their protocol.

Altior

Clicking thru, these are the thermostat options

knightstyle

We have a WB combi boiler with the ESi thermostat with the wifi hub. The hub is wired into the boiler and sits next to it. The thermostat can be taken to any room and is easy to program and also alter the temp temporarily without altering the program.

The boiler was in when we bought with a traditional wall mounted thermostat in the hall and I added the hub and thermostat to give us more flexibility.

Altior

This looks like my current one, it states on the link that it is boiler plus compliant, so the simplest option might be the £5 one to retain the current thermostat! Tho obviously no app or remote control. Which is not a game changer to be honest.

https://www.uk-plumbing.com/product/myson-mprt-programmable-room-thermostat-white/