Boiler choice

[s--p--o--n--i--x]

I'm still looking for a CH condensing combi boiler and am looking for recommendations.

I'm thinking of possibly buying a Biasi from B&Q because of the cracking deals on them at the moment and some people recommend them highly.

However, I'm also considering going for something more expensive. I'd therefore like some suggestions on what to "shortlist". What is a good reliable brand nowadays? Why should I choose expensive brand X over a cheap Biasi?

I'm after feedback from people that actually own the boiler in question. I'm not after "I heard of someone who had an XYZ and it was crap" or "It's cheap so it must be crap" type stuff. I'm after first hand experiences.

sponix

[Doctor Evil]

DON'T get any condensing boiler with a secondary heat exchanger. THere are now tons of these around as the makers have cobncverted their old ranhges using most of the old parts. It is a Heat Robinson affair. The BIASI has a secondary heat exchanger.

Get a one piece heat exchanger, side or downward firing burner. The Ideal Icos and Glow Worm Condensers are good and well priced. I would go for the Glow Worm. Well priced and good. If you buy cheapo will may regret it.

[Christian McArdle]

I have a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 28HE. It is absolutely excellent. Installed for over a year and it just works.

I had an Ideal Icos in my last house. It did have a fault, which was rapidly fixed by the manufacturer. I believe it was an early design of PCB that was replaced with a more robust design. Apart from that, it was good.

Christian.

[RedOnRed]

Ditto the above, apart from mine was fitted in April and is absolutely fab at giving us lashings of hot water in an unbelieveably quiet and (so far) reliable way.

Dunno if it has a Dr Evil's root of all boiler evil secondary heat exchanger though.

[Doctor Evil]

Nope. A very good boiler, I fitted one about 9 months ago for a relative. It has a silicon coated, aluminium, one piece heat exchanger and downward firing burner.

[Andy Hall]

Not like that Japanese geyser that you were raving about last week, then.....

[Doctor Evil]

That is a dedicated water heater. Now you know.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

But this is illegal, given you're not CORGI registered?

[Owain]

Nonononononoyes, it's illegal on grounds of *competence*.

Owain

[Doctor Evil]

The senility has really set in.

[GymRatZ]

PLEASE.... Point me to the documentation that states this.

ALL government documentation relating to such issues will certainly be on line should they exist.

I fear I may be in for a long wait..............................

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Hope you were more careful with the gas connections than you usually are with pipe connections.

Are you mentioned in the will or something?

[Dave Plowman (News)]

It's generally accepted that you may work on the gas supply in your *own* property if you're competent.

But not anywhere else, unless suitably qualified.

And Drivel himself has established he's not competent at working plastic water pipe let alone gas.

[John Rumm]

I thought that was only true if the work was done for reward. Can't see anyone paying for drivel to mess with their heating, so he may still be in the clear ;-)

[RedOnRed]

Is Doctor Evil registered with the BMA I wonder? It is illegal to impersonate a doctor. Especially a moonlighting plumbing one.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Thought my version was the accepted one here? However, there are all sorts of insurance etc implications working on another's place. Even for free.

Every time he actually mentions doing any work, it's always for a friend or relative. And yet claims to be a pro.

[s--p--o--n--i--x]

"Reward" can be as simple as tea and biscuits..

[Doctor Evil]

He also takes a lot of time getting across the road too. The scouts are forever saving his life - fools.

[Doctor Evil]

Now put those DO NOT USE labels back on your gas appliances. The ones the corgi man put on you took off.

[Doctor Evil]

Correct 10/10. Congratulations. The tasteless county beat the Jocks.