Which of these two boilers is best (PigletJohn)?

[DeeLite]

We are having a new boiler, new rads etc installed in our house* and have had two plumbers' quotes. The second quote is cheaper and we are broke so cost is very important but we are worried that this may be because the boiler is cheaper and therefore not going to be as reliable.

Here are the two options:

1. Vaillant 838 Erp Eco Tec Plus with ten years parts and labour warranty
   
2. Alpha Intec 34c boiler with 8 years parts and labour warranty
   
   *house is 4-bed detached with two showers albeit that they are rarely used at the same time. We're a family of two adults and two small children.

[BananaPie]

Go for the vaillant. That or a Worcester Bosch. Anything else is likely to be a false economy

[PigletJohn]

I am not a gasman.

Gasmen constantly argue bitterly about which boiler they like best, and which they consider to be rubbish.

In the "Which" survey, Vaillant was one of the top scoring brands, and Alpha was rather poor, especially for reliability. Gasmen who disagree with this assessment swear that "Which" surveys are crooked and a poor guide.

I see you are going for a combi with a large throughput, so presumably the installers have tested the incoming water flow and pressure, and it comfortably exceeds 15 litres per minute.

It is very important to chooser an installer whom you have faith in thanks to personal recommendation, and not by believing paid-for advertising website "recommendations"

If you new boiler is being fitted to old radiators, they are likely to need powerflushing and fitting a system filter to prevent sludge and grit clogging your new boiler (this will not be covered by the guarantee).

My own preference is for a modern cylinder, which can provide unsurpassed hot water, even (using the immersion heater) when the boiler is out of action, and may enable you to buy a smaller and simpler boiler, which may cost less and may have less to go wrong.

[Pootles2010]

Glad its not just us - half the gasmen we have spoken to swear by Worcester Bosch, the other half think they are the devils spawn.


We have a man who was very highly recommended, he is very very busy (we had to wait ages for appt), and doesn't advertise. Fingers crossed!

[DeeLite]

Excellent advice. Thanks very much. I didn't see either of them testing the water flow and pressure so will get DH to do that and also ask him to think about the cylinder option.

The installers are both via personal recommendations so we trust them.