Which make of combi boiler is best?

[Moleyjay]

We are looking to replace the ancient boiler ( kind with a hot water tank) for a combi boiler. We want a good one but what is the best?? We live in an average sized 3 bed roomed Victorian terrace ( in case it's important!) .

As combis work off the mains, they can supply only one outlet properly at a time and are not suitable for 2 people using 2 showers at a time. Or if one is using the shower while the washing machine is running either hot or cold water, the water to the shower will reduce its pressure.

Also the pressure on a combi boiler must always be checked as often go too low and must be upped. They are not expected to last more than 16 years- my old boiler was 40 years old and never went wrong, just the pump needed renewing.
Also the tanks were in the loft and during hot weather in the summer you didn't need the gas to heat the water as the cold tank water was warm enough to shower in and wash hair.
Not so with the cold water from the mains.

Hot water pipes that were running to fill the tank warmed that area, with a combi those pipes are obsolete and the areas are colder.

Sometimes with very old pipework, the mains pressure will spring a water leak as happened to DD and me.

Vailiant-never have problems. This is our second, we put one in our last place too.

plumber will advise. we got the largest we could afford as we have three dc and need the good output for baths and showers, dishwasher, washing machine etc in a large 3 bed semi. It was a size up from our previous one which was 1) only just beg enough capacity to do the job, and 2) not one of the big three or four manufacturers. The current one is a Bosch. £££ but worth it. We are looking after it well and it gets checked and serviced regularly. essential

Interesting Digerd. So would you not recommend a combi then?
Thanks Valium - I'd heard of a valiant and also a Worcester. Good to know they're reliable.

Ooh a Bosch. Not heard of that make for a boiler will look into it. Thanks.

Worcester Bosch

try this?

Definitely Worcester Bosch - easy to get parts, apparently.

We once had a cheap Italian boiler and had to rip it out after a few years because parts were a nightmare to get and it went disastrously wrong, had to be condemned.

Loads of good makes of combi.
Avoid some of the supercheap brands.
Vaillant, Worcester bosch, baxi are just some of the best, there are others.
Some people have problems with combis - there are a number of reasons - firstly it is vital that you have strong enough mains water pressure coming into the property.
Secondly you have a big enough boiler for your needs correctly installed and that you understand pros and cons.
We are a family of five with a washing machine that is almost constantly in motion, 2 showers and have no problem with our combi
BUT they are not suitable or all families.

Get 3 quotes from gas safe registered installers and listen to their advice.

Our old combi was a Vaillant & that lasted nearly 30 years. Replaced it last year with a Worcester - hope that does as well!

although it's true that running 2 lots of water at once reduces pressure, it's still perfectly possible to continue having a shower as long as it has a thermostatic control & you have decent mains pressure in the first place.

topping up the pressure in the tank doesn't need to be done very often but it's dead easy anyway

one of the best things about a combi is that any number of people can have a bath or shower one after the other & the hot water never runs out

the only real disadvantage IMO is if the mains water is cut off without notice for any reason - then you have no water at all, hot or cold. but that's once in a blue moon

Thanks everybody. Lots of good advice.