New boiler to replace Worcester

WIAWSNB

Have a chat with AI - it has told me the Alpha E-Tec and E-Tec Plus combis are Opentherm and Alpha-Plus, so a nice range of controls are available - Nest, Tado, Hive V4, etc. as well as Alphas's own.

Always double-check the 'facts' provided by AI before you commit.

It is awesome, tho'.

FreeBear

But since boiler manufacturers appear have three(?) or possibly more control protocols, I think it makes sense to choose a new boiler with the 'correct' controls, one that is both easy to use, and also extracts that last few % of energy from your fuel.

Having said that, what savings are realistic? I don't know, but say your gas bill is £1k per year, then a 5% improvement in efficiency would translate to around £50. Is that a biggie in the scheme of things?!

Transitioning to a programmable thermostat that allows for different temperatures throughout the day/week can save 5-15% - When I started down the rabbit hole of home automation, switching to variable temperatures cut my gas consumption by around 10%.

When my combi was fitted, the installer left all the boiler parameters on default settings (the muppet). Some, I immediately changed, others have taken a little longer to dial in.

DHW (hot water) - Disable preheat (or Eco mode). This stops the boiler firing up every 30 minutes or so to keep the internals hot so that you don't have to wait a few seconds longer for hot water. No figures for the amount of gas saved as this change was made as soon as the fitter had left.

Limit maximum output for central heating (range limiting) - Currently set to ~7kW. Has helped to boost efficiency by a percentage point or two as it stops the boiler from running flat out at start up. Also reduces the amount of noise and hopefully increases long term reliability.

Limit maximum CH flow temperature - Was something stupid like 80°C. Now down to 60°C. Some 8-10 points gained on efficiency. Minimal risk of burns when coming in to contact with a hot radiator. Does need suitably sized radiators though.

Limit DHW temperature - Default was some 60°C. Reduced to 45°C. Negligible energy savings, but does cut the risk of scalds.

Some of the above need to be adjusted by the engineer when the boiler is installed, others can usually be set from the front panel by the user. Squeezing that last percentage point of efficiency out of the boiler is not easy. For most people, they won't know if things like weather compensation is saving any money.

WIAWSNB

Proper Smart controls are reckoned to save well over 10% compared to basic on/off 'stats, but how much a correctly-protocoled Smart stat would additionally save over a conventional Prog Stat I don't know - I guess 5% min must be a reasonable estimate.

It's always occurred to me that weather comp must play a big part in this, but how many systems have a good one included?

FreeBear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82010951#Comment_82010951

As per earlier post, a programmable thermostat has saved me ~10%. Modulating the boiler depending on demand (protocoled smart stat) got me up to 92-94%. BUT radiators have been increased in size to take advantage of the lower flow temperatures.

Weather compensation - Although I could add it in, it doesn't add much to what I'm already doing.

WIAWSNB

Thanks.

Yomagsy, what control do you currently have? And what would you like?

yomagsy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82010867#Comment_82010867

I have been in the house30 years and the system is older than that but the boiler was replaced 2011. So my "controls" are a time clock on the wall that I can manually change the times on and valves on all rads that I can turn up and down manually too. So all this Smart tech is new to me and from wht you have said, a minefield for the unknowledgeable

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015545#Comment_82015545

I understand you will need to go at least to a programmable 'stat, so once you do that, I would seriously recommend a phone-App Smart type.

Do you have a Smart phone?!

yomagsy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82015591#Comment_82015591

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82001701#Comment_82001701

Reply from WB yesterday re: Special Service

"We do not offer different types of annual service. However, when we book a service, we reserve the fee for a “repair and service” which means we can replace broken/damaged parts and carry out repairs if they are needed. I have outlined the details below.

 The charge to service your product is £184, inclusive of VAT.

 As your guarantee has expired, an additional charge will apply if our engineer identifies parts that need to be replaced.

 We will take an initial reservation of £434 at the time of booking, enabling us to complete both the service and repair on the same visit if parts are required. If no parts are required, you will only pay the £184 service charge.

 If significant or structural parts need to be replaced, or your product is beyond economical repair, our engineer will provide a quote for the additional work.""………

My last service cost £80 and if I had needed extra parts I would have expected to pay extra of course, but the engineer said as was well. WB price seems a bit stepp to me.

I think I will book my usual annual service by a WB registered engineer locally and see what he says.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022597#Comment_82022597

You are right that £184 for just a service is a LOT.

On the other hand if the boiler is not working ( and old), the £434 can work out OK, if a few parts need replacing.

At least you know it will not cost anymore than that.

FreeBear

 We will take an initial reservation of £434 at the time of booking, enabling us to complete both the service and repair on the same visit if parts are required. If no parts are required, you will only pay the £184 service charge.

 If significant or structural parts need to be replaced, or your product is beyond economical repair, our engineer will provide a quote for the additional work.""………

The way I read that quote is - "We take an upfront payment of £434, and if extra parts are needed beyond that, we'll provide a quote for the extra". So not a fixed price repair, just a cap on the cost of the initial visit. And if just a routine service is all that is required, it will cost £184 (ouch).