The old boiler

[Blocky10]

Hi folks. Can anyone recommend a good combination boiler for a small 3 bed semi.
I've had an Alpha Ocean 340P? since 1999 and over the years it's cost me no more than £100 in spares and I've been told all that time they're rubbish. Obviously everyone has their own opinion.
Cheers.

 

[solarman216]

Ideal Logic are good, fitted several with no probs, the 7 year guarantee is not worth a light as they demand a yearly service at £100 a time, and these boilers do not need this, Rick

 

[Paff]

Can't really recommend a combi full stop

Certainly not an oil one, although gas may be different?

 

[Blocky10]

Can't really recommend a combi full stop

Certainly not an oil one, although gas may be different?

Yes Paf. It's gas it is. [emoji106]

 

[Blocky10]

Ideal Logic are good, fitted several with no probs, the 7 year guarantee is not worth a light as they demand a yearly service at £100 a time, and these boilers do not need this, Rick

Cheers rick. Googled them and good write up indeed. Thanks

 

[jims-terrano]

We had a Baxi fitted in 2007 and it's been fine. Last two years they have had a sensor or something to fit but it's on one of those monthly packages with a service thrown in so no hardship.

Now I've been told by several sources in the heating trade that condensing boilers do need a annual service, apparently old styles boilers really could manage with just a quick clean out every now and then but the modern condensers do need a proper clean out and check over. The condensation is corosive and can corrode the compnents. Only what Ive been told and not by the company that have fitted boilers for me.

 

[Terranical]

We've recently had a Worcester Bosch fitted, replacing a 20-year old Ideal - so far (nearly a year) we're tickled pink with it.

 

[billycan]

boiler

my opinion only being a plumber/heating engineer for 35 years stay away from the expensive Worcester range lots of plastic components in them now that fail plus rainwater can be blown up some of the flues causing damage to electrics baxi/potterton-promax/heatmax/duotec same boilers different names best on market cheap parts and easy to fix note they can all break down whatever the badge

 

[macabethiel]

My mates Worcester Bosch failed after 6 years - fault was inside the casing so had to have a replacement.

My Brothers Worcester Bosch had so many control panels replaced inside and outside warranty that I lost count. He has now fitted a Baxi and so far so good.

I replaced my boiler last year with a Baxi Condensing boiler the saving on gas for a winters use of 20 % but obviously winter 2014/15 and 2013/14 were not identical. This has meant my Gas used for first year by new boiler was £893 compared to £1137 for previous year and old boiler.

My system is not the most efficient as I have kept a hot water tank and did not want high pressure hot water.

My next door neighbour has just had to have a new lounge ceiling as the new boiler he had fitted caused a leak in the hot water system !

 

[rustic]

I know the new combi boilers are very efficient, and probably save a lot in gas, but in my opinion, they barely last 5 years, and if they cost £1000 or more for a new boiler plus servicing, then the saving in gas is small in comparison to breakdowns and repairs etc.

We have a conventional Potterton Profile with a cast iron heat exchanger, as long as the flame is blue, and there are no black soot marks on the flue or heat exchanger, then what is there to service, other than cleaning out the dead flies and wasps?

Placing electronics in a hot environment of the boiler casing is not really sensible. Stick the pump in there too, and you have a failure waiting to happen.
Circuit boards are replaced at great expense, even though the odd capacitor has failed due to it drying out and going pop.
The next major failure is the fan for the assisted combustion.

They make modern items too complex, and using the cheapest components made from the cheapest materials. Plastic indeed in a boiler.... a bit like a plastic thermostat housing on the later Terranos :doh

 

[solarman216]

Rustic you hit the nail square on the head, they are rubbish, I have been in the heating/solar game for more than 30 years and run a 25 year old Camray oil boiler, ALL your modern crap is just that, it might be efficient but at what cost, to my way of thinking you want above all reliability, you do not get this with as Rustic says all the electronics inside the boiler casing, do not get me wrong I had one of the first condensing boilers on the market way back in 1988 but it did not contain all the electronics we now have, and over the years have fitted hundreds, mainly Glow Worm, then I tried an Ideal, yea right, condensate pan made of stainless (very good) but seams were spot welded with silicon mastic bead placed after, (not good) leaked condensate everywhere, then tried Keston had two in quick succession, took them both out and sent them back, went back to Glow Worm, funny enough just seen an old customer with one today, boiler is fine he just set the programmer to start at 6pm instead of 6 am and wondered why the rest of the program would not run, since semi retirement have fitted more than half a dozen Logics with no problems heard, more recently fitted an Ariston multipoint, interestingly not condensing, absolute rubbish, so cant win them all, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

The old glow worms were dam good boilers, not efficient but nowt to go wrong.

 

[Mobieus_uk]

Bottom line here is that combination boilers are fine, you get what you pay for but it's important its fitted correctly to start with, if your heating system is dirty you will reduce the life of the boiler, most boiler problems I deal with can be attributed to poor installations to start with

you cannot go wrong with something like a Worcester Greenstar
https://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/boilers/gas-boilers/greenstar-25si-compact
Very popular and fitted all over place, easy to service and maintain

Baxi, Vaillant and Glowworm all seem to be using the same type of barrel type heat exchanger with the burner at the front, this is my preference as its very easy to remove and clean the heat exchanger if needed

if i was going to replace my boiler I would look at Glowworm Ultracom, Baxi Ecoblue or a Vaillant Ecotec,

Just to add if your current boiler is working then leave it at that, doesn't matter how efficient a new boiler is you will never get you money back

 

[solarman216]

Just to add if your current boiler is working then leave it at that, doesn't matter how efficient a new boiler is you will never get you money back

My point entirely, Rick

 

[rustic]

My point entirely, Rick

And mine...:thumb2

 

[AlexD333]

The old glow worms were dam good boilers, not efficient but nowt to go wrong.

So can you still get em? :naughty

 

[macabethiel]

My old Baxi Bermuda !!

I know the new combi boilers are very efficient, and probably save a lot in gas, but in my opinion, they barely last 5 years, and if they cost £1000 or more for a new boiler plus servicing, then the saving in gas is small in comparison to breakdowns and repairs etc.
:doh

Baxi do a 10 year manufacturers warranty on many models so that is quite reassuring.

My previous Baxi Bermuda I had fitted in 1987 and it only had two faulty parts replaced. The gas valve after 15 years and the thermocouple for the main jet after 25 years. I did the thermocouple myself and all the servicing.

Eventually it kettled so badly I had to route the pump so it ran permanantly when the CH was on ! This extended its life by another 2 years by which time it really needed a new heat exchanger.

The Baxi boiler model I have has only a six year warranty due to complexity. I would have bought another Baxi Bermuda like a shot ! New boiler has a download plug that the service engineer uses a bit like a modern car to complex for it's own good.

 

[Blocky10]

Thanks for the replies folks.
The old boiler is on its last legs. I coaxed it through last winter with cuddles and sweet talk and will try again this year. When it does give up, it would be great to know what to buy next and you guys have helped greatly.
Much appreciated.
Ian.

Ian

 

[jims-terrano]

Problem is Ian, it may go at the most inconvenient time such as a really cold spell.

Is it worth preempting it and biting the bullet before it goes?

Good luck what ever you choose to do:thumb2

 

[Blocky10]

Problem is Ian, it may go at the most inconvenient time such as a really cold spell.

Is it worth preempting it and biting the bullet before it goes?

Good luck what ever you choose to do:thumb2

Yes Jim. Understood. :thumbup:
The house is like a laundry so the girls will have to dress up!
That reminds me of a joke.
Guy says to his wife "off to the pub. Get ya coat"
Wife says " ooooh, taking me out?"
Guy. "No. I'm switching the heating off on the way out"

Ian