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Original poster

If you have a combi boiler please can you tell me which one and if you like it?

22 replies

MamaMimi · 13/07/2010 23:27

We are in the process of changing our combi boiler and are finding it hard to decide what to go for.

We are thinking of a Vaillant Ecotec 831 but are wondering whether tis best to just plump for a cheaper option and see how it does us.

If anyone has a Vaillant combi boiler, or any other type, can you tell me whether you like it, if it's had any problems or needed any expensive fixes, how long you've had it and if it seems reliable etc?

TIA

OP posts:

snowpuma · 13/07/2010 23:32

Hi we have that exact boiler (since Apr last year) and it's been good, we had it serviced after 12mths so that the 2nd year of the warranty would be validated. No problems at all. One thing happened which was that some grit got into it when Thames Water were working outside, so we had no hot water, however I just rang up and they came the next day I think, and mended it no probs. The engineers who come to do the servicing/repairing all speak really highly of Vaillant as did our builders who installed our kitchen and bathroom. The way I see it, it's such a hassle if your boiler goes wrong, I think it's a false economy to get a cheap one.
One other thing, we got a wireless thermostat/timer to go with it and that has also worked well, avoiding cables running through the house.

paddingtonbear1 · 13/07/2010 23:38

We have a Vaillant combi, so far it's been fab. My ILs also have one, they've had no problems either. We had a cheaper one in our last house and it did go wrong a few times. My friend had a cheap one and never would again - it only lasted a few years!

pocketmonster · 13/07/2010 23:48

Valliant are good, and so are Worcester Bosch. Don't buy a Heatline...

Original poster

MamaMimi · 14/07/2010 00:14

Thanks for your input on this so far - all really helpful.

That's what I keep hearing - that Vaillant are very good - but I have read the odd review from people who have had problems with them. From what I can tell these probs are generally down to the CH system not being flushed out when the boiler is installed but I am curious to know if there is anyone here that has had niggles with a Vaillant.

Always good to know those to avoid also, so thanks pocketmonster

And thankyou snowpuma for mentioning the timer too cos that's a whole other decision (and extra cost!)

Any more boiler feedback will be gratefully received.

OP posts:

lowrib · 14/07/2010 00:46

Vaillant = great

Rollmops · 14/07/2010 08:48

We have Baxi something happily sitting in the attic, quite pleased with it.
However, we always take out combi boiler 'insurance', costs about £60 a year, to ensure that if ever it was needed, the engineer will be over within 24 hrs to fix it.
Also covers the parts and labour.
Juzt in case you see, coz' fixing them thingies is very expensive.

vonnyh · 14/07/2010 09:17

We've just had a Vaillant Ecotech 835 installed. It's fab! The water pressure seems to be a lot better now as well.

lowrib · 14/07/2010 13:05

I can recommend a great (but not cheap) plumber in London if anyone needs one.

He's corgi registered or whatever the equivalent is these days.

LadySanders · 14/07/2010 13:11

we have one, had it 3 years, no problems other than occasionally it turns itself off for no reason and has to be 'rebooted', but generally pleased with it despite scepticism that it would cope with running 3 bathrooms...

Heartsease · 14/07/2010 13:19

We just got a new Vaillant combi, can't remember the model and we aren't living in the house yet so haven't really tested it. But compared to another combi I once lived with, it seems great (though that may just be because it's newer). We also got the wireless thermostat, which I really recommend (had one in a rental property before).

Housemum · 15/07/2010 14:13

I just had a quote for a new boiler last week (rolling on the floor in hysterics after the stupid price British Gas quoted, I only called them in for advice as I don't intend to change the boiler for at least a year and would have felt guilty wasting a sole trader's time)

The one thing I hadn't heard before, and I'd be grateful if you combi-boiler owners could confirm or deny it, as this might be useful to the OP in her decision, was that combi boilers can only heat the water to 35 degrees more than the external air temperature. Which he said meant you wouldn't have very hot water in winter. Now I thought that all water systems had to be able to heat water to 50 degrees plus to kill off legionnaire's disease etc? And by external temp does that mean where the boiler is (garage in our case so probably damn near freezing in winter)?

Original poster

MamaMimi · 16/07/2010 23:15

Mmmm, that's interesting Housemum but I can't possibly see how it could be true cos I think you are right about it needing to be hot enough to kill off bacteria etc.

Was it the British Gas engineer that told you this?

What make of boilers do BG offer, or can you choose whatever you would like and they quote for fitting it?

BTW, thank you to everyone for your comments.

OP posts:

Original poster

MamaMimi · 17/07/2010 11:40

Bumping for the daytime/weekend crowd.

I suppose what I am wondering is if there are any alternative boilers to Vaillant out there that people also find to be reliable and efficient.

So, anyone...?

OP posts:

Deanna1977 · 17/07/2010 11:58

We have a Worcester Bosch. Its very efficient. Had it installed in the cold snap last winetr when our Valliant broke down. It's wonderful!

SparkyUK · 17/07/2010 13:26

We're getting a Worcester Bosch but have heard great things about Valliant as well. Sceptical about what British Gas said about water not getting hot enough - I used to regularly burn myself with the hot water from the tap situated beneath our combi there.

I just skimmed article www.tcosgrove.co.uk/2008/11/understanding-combi-boiler-hot-water-flow-rates.html and it says that combis are graded on their flow rates based on a 35 degree rise - which may be what the BG man was talking about. But i know that my last combi which was just a cheepie installed by the previous owners had a dial for hotter water so I think you can increase the rise if you needed/wanted.

Housemum · 17/07/2010 13:59

Hi - it was the British Gas Engineer that said that - and even with their "third off" sale, the price he quoted was £800 more than a friend had paid through a local firm.

Sparky's link Just reposting the link for you as it was pretty useful.

archieballerina · 17/07/2010 17:01

I had a Worcester which was very efficient and easy to find as plumber to service (A good question to ask the plumber if there are makes they won't deal with). We currently have a Baxi which is a platinum one so has 5 years warranty provided you service it anually. we went for this as our plumber likes them and cheaper than the Worcester.It has had a problem once 2 years down the line they sent an engineer 2 days later, would have been sooner but I was in hospitall and baby in NICU so had to be when DH in) My Dad currently has a Vaillant and no problems in 3 years. I would only go for Baxi, Vaillant or Worcester.

Original poster

MamaMimi · 17/07/2010 20:02

Thankyou everyone, it's great to hear others' experiences with various boilers and all your opinions too.

OP posts:

comixminx · 17/07/2010 20:09

I have a Vaillant (can't remember the exact model but think it is an Ecotech something or other). Very good, reliable, efficient make. When we went away for a week or so over New Year when it was very cold (not this last year but the one before) we turned it right down; what happened was that the water pressure dropped too low and it wouldn't come on when we got back. It was just a case of opening a tap to top up the system though - make sure you get the installer to show you how to do that, and write it down somewhere or something!

I'm sure the British Gas thing about not heating water more than 35 degrees hotter than ambient can't be right - our water is very hot! Hopefully what Sparky says is the reason for BG saying that.

herethereandeverywhere · 18/07/2010 10:25

We've had our Worcester Bosch for 5 years with no problems. IIRC the main point to remember with a combi-boiler is you can't use a bathroom pump to increase water pressure so you need to ensure your showers etc. are suitable for low pressure systems.

There may be ways to resolve this but if there are they weren't within our budget when we did our bathroom 5 years ago.

Disclaimer: I'm not a qualified plumber so I'd definitely ask to check this point!

DitaVonCheese · 23/07/2010 00:22

I've seen two plumbers today re replacing a boiler and both have recommended Worcester. Both also said that a cheap boiler is a false economy if you're planning on staying in the house for more than a couple of years.

We had a Worcester in our last house and it was ten years old so occasional niggles but was still pretty good. Definitely had hot water in winter too!

glacierchick · 23/07/2010 09:48

I had a Vaillant ecotech (I think) but it only lasted about 5 years before I had to get it replaced, it just kept breaking down and was a real hassle. The plumber I used said he found the Worcester Bosch wo be more reliable so that's what I replaced it with. It's been fine so far (2 years later).

I have heard form various people that combis don't tend to last as long as the traditional type though I expect the technology is improving all the time.

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