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Original poster

Combi Boilers - Have you had a new one in the last 12 - 18 months , if so which one and why and any problems .

26 replies

CaptainUnderpants · 01/04/2008 19:56

especailly if you have had a Potterton Gold or Worcester Bosch .

thank you

OP posts:
cba · 01/04/2008 19:58

i had a worcester bosch in my last house and was great. only downside is that if someone having a bath then cant have washing machine on etc.

Original poster
CaptainUnderpants · 02/04/2008 07:34

Thanks cba - we have to have a combi as we have no room for a tank ( and we have a cimbi already), just doing a bit of market research as well as reading Which magazine !

Which make Worcester by the way ? we were looking at the Greenstar CDI series .

OP posts:
mejon · 02/04/2008 16:12

We had a Vaillant EcoPlus (I think) installed last year. DH's BF is a gas engineer and he recommended Vaillant as the best. He installed the new boiler and new central heating system for less than we paid British Gas to install a Worcester Bosch boiler in our last house 4 years ago.

zippitippitoes · 02/04/2008 16:13

i have installed a worsceter bosch but it isnt working yet because it has a fault

so hasnt been commissioned

it is a greenstar cdi

Original poster
CaptainUnderpants · 02/04/2008 19:10

Zippi - your Worcester Bosch , has it got one of those wireless theromostats/ timers ?

If so would be interested how it works out.

Mejon - no way am I going to BG to have ours installed - they are usually at least double the price of any independant engineer out there !

The Valiiant Eco plus are rated in the top 4 in Which Mag along with the Potterton Gold .

A Worcester Bosch greenstar 30cdi was number 8.

Oh dear what a saddo I have become

OP posts:
mejon · 02/04/2008 20:27

We've got a wireless thermostat/timer with ours. Unfortunately I still haven't worked out how to use it beyond adjusting the temperature so I have to switch it on and off manually! There are just too many options - I only want it to come on and go off once a day but there appear to be about 3 or 4 separate time zones I can select per day and I'm stumped (or possibly just thick)!!

Original poster
CaptainUnderpants · 02/04/2008 23:00

I must admit that I am a bit apprehensive about the wirless bit . I just need a straight forward timer , we have thermostaic valves on radiators .

I just feel its more that could end up going wrong , thats why I am interested to know how they actually work out when installed .

OP posts:
sushistar · 02/04/2008 23:04

We have had Worcester Bosch Greenstar Junior 28 - or something like that - since oct. Has wireless thermostat. It's wonderful - quiet, efficient, quick, and we have a bath running and washing machiene on and seems to work fine. All the hot taps at once is too much for it, but otherwise it's brill. And it's small and unobtrusive. What more could you ask for in a boiler?!

sushistar · 02/04/2008 23:06

Oh, our wireless bit ONLY does the temp. The main controls - ie when you want the boiler to on/off etc - are on the boiler. The wireless thermostat's in the hall, and you can just use it to nudge temp up/down as appropriate.

Qally · 03/04/2008 02:02

We had a Vaillant installed. Our current plumber (1st was fab but has retired) came to fix a water pressure problem and promptly explained that we didn't need him to do a 300 quid job, we just needed to up the thermostat on the hot water. To justify his callout fee he serviced the boiler, but he told us Vaillants are the Rolls Royces of the industry and need it only once every two years, because they never go wrong. We also have a gas bill of 25 a month in a centrally heated house with 4 adults, two of whom use baths. That's half what the old immersion cost us. So yeah, totally recommend Vaillant.

Nemoandthefishes · 03/04/2008 07:33

we have a new one got put in in jan..will have to check which one it is.

Apparently it is a Vaillant Ecotec [http://www.ukheat.com/proddetail.php?prod=308527] Works really well and have had no problems at all with it.We were told it is one of THE top notch combi boilers by a friend who is a plumber

Nemoandthefishes · 03/04/2008 07:35

Also agree the wireless thermostat is a god send..especially in weather like this winter I have it come on at 6am and go off at 10pm then through the day turn it on and off via thermostat.

zippitippitoes · 03/04/2008 08:07

yes it has got a wireless thermostat which looks complicated

i was going to get a valliant but the plumber persuaded me not to

RubySlippers · 03/04/2008 08:11

we have just had a quote for a worcestor bosch greenstar condensing boiler

it seems to be getting mixed reviews on this thread - shall watch this with interest

Nemoandthefishes · 03/04/2008 08:12

Zippi why did he say not to?

zippitippitoes · 03/04/2008 08:15

i cant remember probably some nobby reason

i think they tend to get a favourite and then stick to it

makes it a lot easier for them to fit the same ones all the time

zippitippitoes · 03/04/2008 08:17

these worcester bosch ones have a problem with a diverter valve sticking i think

which is porobably what is wrong with mine ecsept mine has never been used but it has been sat on the wall for 18 months

hopefully it should be working when bosch have been to see it in a couple of weeks

wishfort · 03/04/2008 08:41

Vaillant is the best. Completely reliable, though expensive, and worth every penny.

wishfort · 03/04/2008 08:42

Vaillant is the best. Completely reliable, though expensive, and worth every penny.

wishfort · 03/04/2008 08:42

Vaillant is the best. Completely reliable, though expensive, and worth every penny.

wishfort · 03/04/2008 08:43

I simply had to say it three times.

Heifer · 03/04/2008 08:48

have to agree re valient - we had it fitted in our last house and it was fine. Had no problems in the 2 years we were there.

Think it was a combi condensing boiler. I believe condensing boilers are very efficient.

SirDigbyChickenCaesar · 03/04/2008 09:10

we're looking for one right now. but how do you know what to get?? does it matter what size house? i'm so confused!

Original poster
CaptainUnderpants · 03/04/2008 18:22

Many thansk for your replies .

Sir Dighby - boiler depends on the size of your house - if you have one that is too big then it is wasted economy. Also depends on the mains pressure which will affect your water flow rate and some other thimgs no doubt , best to speak to heating engineer.

Whether you have a combi or heat only on what your current system is or what you want.

I have been reading the Which mag report ( sept 2007) on boliers and basically the top 4 are

1.Baxi duo tec c28 He
2.Potterton Gold C24HE

  1. Vaillant ecotec plus 848
  2. Vaillant ecoTec plus 831

The report was based upon condensing boilers.

a Worcester greenstar 30 CDI came in at no 9.

From talking to various heating engineers they seem to opt for Potterton , Worcester Bosch or Valliant .

Worcester Bosch being the most expensive but have excellent aftercare / warranty care.

My head is ion a spin about boilers at the moment but looks like we may go for a Worcester Bosch but not sure whether a 37cdi or 40cdi - we have 5 bedroom and 2 bathrooms (includes loft conversion ) but only in a semi .

we have had a Potterton Lynx for 17 years and the last couple of years it has been kept togethet thanks to British Gas 3 star home service , but unfortuanaelty today it has had its death warrnt signed .

Do Not get a quote from Bristh Gas - from what I gather it will be at least double the price.

Now back to boiling kettles ...

OP posts:
SirDigbyChickenCaesar · 04/04/2008 08:38

captainunderpants (wicked name BTW) thanks for the info. nice to know i'm not the only one getting dizzy from boilers!