Best Gas System Boiler (UK) Central heating ?

[EuroTrotters]

We have a very old, utterly reliable Gloworm main gas system boiler.

But, it’s 35 years old this year, been in-use 30 years. So I am looking to upgrade.

All the usual companies are suggesting combi boilers, condensing. But I have decided I want to keep the old tank with immersion heater.

We did have a Vailant boiler in Spain. Fairly new. But it was forever breaking down.

So I replaced that with a Daikin branded model. It has been fantastic. 9 years trouble free.

How have others gone on with replacement boilers ?.

 

[Brains]

In London (very hard water) the life of a boiler is about the same as a cat or dog.

I work on 15 years before a boiler will need replacement, every extra year is a bonus, but I don't think I've ever had one get much over 20 years.
So a 30 year old boiler is impressive.

I have gone for Valiant boilers, (we replace about one every 18 months or so in our properties).
Depending on the age of the tank, we have kept some and got rid of others.
The boilers last as long as can be expected, the spares are a reasonable cost and they don't often break down.

In London the inside of the tanks can get almost an inch of limescale per decade, which makes them less and less efficient.
(and you are no longer permitted to force small children into the tanks to chip off the limescale!)

 

[Figaro]

Worcester Bosch convensional boiler for me with Oso unvented cylinder and secondry circulation on the dhw.
Boiler has never let us down, but on servicing it did need costly repairs a few years ago which the manufacturer part subsidised.
It'll be 18 years old this year so it's probably due for replacement sadly

 

[Nanniemate]

If it ain't broke.......
Baxi
Are you.limited by space I struggled to get a new one to fit in the cupboard
The 40 year old worscester combi I'd still running in the old house

 

[Kannon Fodda]

We have a very old, utterly reliable Gloworm main gas system boiler.

But, it’s 35 years old this year, been in-use 30 years. So I am looking to upgrade.

If it's still working, keep it. Accept the risk that if it dies then parts won't be available and then no choice but to replace.

New boiler may be more efficient and thus better for environment but, your new boiler will cost perhaps £4,000, maybe more as no doubt other stuff needs altering to connect it up. How much saved gas do you need to get a payback, given new boiler will have shorter life?

My house boiler must be 40 years+ old. Has the square type non fan balanced flue. As I use only £80per month gas, I really can't justify replacing it for energy use only.

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[MichaelT]

Having had a combi i would deffo recommend one, we have an Alpha boiler, very reliable 7 year warranty and cheap as chips to run and maintain
They do their own cover which is about a tenner a month which includes annual service and all breakdown if needed.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Keep the working one going, good solid state electrics,so much less to go wrong. Have it checked and serviced at the end of the year, and set up a sinking fund for the new boiler you'll eventually have to get. A pilot light won't burn through the cost of a new boiler. Our, "warm Air boiler/furnace is circa 1984, and still warmer and cheaper to run than any heat source carp trap.
Mike.

 

[Nanniemate]

If it's still working, keep it. Accept the risk that if it dies then parts won't be available and then no choice but to replace.

New boiler may be more efficient and thus better for environment but, your new boiler will cost perhaps £4,000, maybe more as no doubt other stuff needs altering to connect it up. How much saved gas do you need to get a payback, given new boiler will have shorter life?

My house boiler must be 40 years+ old. Has the square type non fan balanced flue. As I use only £80per month gas, I really can't justify replacing it for energy use only.

You just made me look at my bills gas us about £35 on average over last 6 months that water on all the time and heating when I'm home , which is quite a lot WFH
Will dig out some old bills as I'm curious

 

[Howard B]

We have decided to change our Boiler & all the radiators in our new place. Swapping a 12 year old WB Greenstar combi for a Viessmann one with wireless/ phone app thermostat with 10 year warranty. Current radiators aren't in the best nick so will change them out at the same time for larger ones.

 

[peterc10]

Recommend Worcester Bosch. Faultless. But we make sure it is serviced every year by the reliable local plumber that fitted it.

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[royandsharont]

I have no technical knowledge Trevor but re the combi market I understand the Ideal (Standard) ones now outbetter all others, particularly the Worcester Bosh which I’m told have some parts that are now prone to breaking Finn and to access them to replace is expensive in hours labour.

 

[PeterCarole29]

I have had hands on experience with 5 properties all fitted with ideal logic heat only boilers all being reliable never needed parts since new now 7 yrs old all bought around the same time from different suppliers at prices ranging from £495 to £595 plus fitting
There are other makes as reliable and a lot more expensive like my father in law said I want the best and in his option it was Worcester boiler at £1500 plus fitting made his went wrong lol
I can only recommend from experience

 

[PeteandCher]

We have an Ideal Standard fan flued boiler fitted when house was new in 1997, been serviced maybe twice. Couple of years ago we had the gravity fed system replaced with an HP tank system so mains pressure hot water and no tank in loft, good showers without pump. Recently the boiler fan was making a racket, bearings obviously on way out, so I got a boiler guy in to quote for a new boiler. His response was "are you mad, this will go on for ever, I always keep the fans if I replace one. How about full strip, clean and service, used fan fitted, £150 cash and you are good for another 20 years". Guess what I said.....

 

[PeterCarole29]

I have just looked on EBay and prices have gone up some what

 

[Orion]

We’ve installed 80+ Baxi boilers for private customers and local housing clients in the past 12 months. The reason we’ve continued to use them for the past 15 years or so is that they give very little problems, which is important for us as we don’t advertise, only work locally and rely on word of mouth from satisfied customers etc. If there has been a rare issue their after sales service has been excellent with a next day call being the norm, or even same day if the customer is vulnerable. The warranty period is also good at 7 or 10 years parts and labour depending on model.

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[Jev88]

My friendly and reliable local plumber says Worcester Bosch every time as they give him a Warranty 10 years and not just a guarantee and in his last ten years are the easiest to deal with and get spares.

Combi 4000 or 8000 series depends on house size.

 

[Pausim]

You will save on fuel by fitting a condensing boiler. They have not been allowed to sell non condensing boilers for about 20 years.

We changed our boiler when we moved here 3 years ago. I spoke to a few installers for suggestions and they all favoured a Worcester Bosch boiler because they have a good reputation, good guarantee, good after sales service and readily available UK spare parts. The chap who fitted it said he doesn’t really like installing some makes because he is the one who gets it in the neck if he can’t source spares quickly.

 

[Newfie]

Try reading this it might help

How to buy the best boiler - Which?

From choosing between a combi, regular or system boiler to getting the right size for your home, we'll help you buy one that won't let you down

app.which.co.uk

 

[Googlebot]

I can say Glow Worm turned awful about 10 years back.

My mate used to fit loads of them, brilliant they were, then suddenly he had loads of issues. He fitted one in my Sisters house as they turned awful without him realising and it only lasted 4 years and was beyond repair.

The one he fitted for us 15 years ago is still going strong.

He now only fits Baxi boilers.

 

[BaileySteve]

In our rental property we had a Atag Economiser 27 with the 18 year parts and labour warranty (yes 18) which was about £3.5k just over a year ago and included roof flue and Google Nest. Was highly recommended by a trusted plumber and the tenants say the gas usage has reduced by at least 10%.

This boiler has four burners that operate independently and raise the temperature gradually.

I hadn’t heard of Atag before it was offered, and the warranty is dependent on annual servicing which the plumber registers on the Atag portal. When our 17 year old Glowworm bites the dust this is what we will have fitted.

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