When I asked that exact same question on here about 6 weeks back I got no replies but on subsequently asking around locally, I found out that the B&Q boilers were cheap enough but don't last long and so we decided to go with an Alpha boiler
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time will tell whether we've made the right choice or not but if the manufacturer is confident enough to give a 3-year warranty I reckon it's worth a try.
That could be a good metric for boiler reliability: if the manufacturer is willing to underwrite the continued operation of a boiler for three years perhas they have confidence in their product. Vaiilant offer a two year warranty. I can't help but think you get what you pay for with boilers, and a higher up-front cost might be the lesser of two evils, against the costs and sheer inconvenience of boiler breakdowns.
If condensing and they have a secondary condensing heat exchanger don't bother. Avoid ANY boiler with a secondary heat exchanger. Many makers have just sipped them in to comply with the 1st Aril condensing regs. Buy boioer with a top mounted burners and a one pive heat exchanger.
Avoid anything made by Ravenheat. BIASI are better. The non-condensing combi is a well priced budget boiler. They use a lot of pretty well stadard parts, so simple enough.
Why don't you get a very high flowrate multi-point instant water heater and a small condensing system boiler for the heating. Two simple systems. No tanks or cylinders and wizzo hot water on-demand flowrates. Rinnai, the Japanese maker who are the world's largest maker of gas appliances, are now importing into the UK. There products are "excellent". 38 litres/min? They have it. They regulate the hot water output to +- 1 degree F. You can have a remote control temperature control, one is waterproof for the shower, so you have the temperature say 37C for the shower and them zap it up to 55C for the kitchen sink. The Rinnia can also be fitted "outside" on an outside wall, if you have location and fluing problems. Rinnia is probably the largest selling instant water heater in the world.
This is a highly cost effective route.
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B&Q & Wickes boilers are the boilers of choice for three plumbers I know.
Due to their purchasing power B&Q & Wickes tend to be much cheaper than many merchants, even with a trade discount applied. don't know about long term reliability but £348 Inc is a very, very good price.
the SOGA states that majot appliances should last for a reasonable time and 6 years is the cut off point for retailers responsibility, iirc. thy will all tell you diffrent but have a look here
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£348 I'm very tempted to swap my ageing boiler out ratehr than pay the £250 odd it's going to cost in spares and aggro to get it perfect for winter.
That was my feeling on the matter. I have an elderly floor standing boiler which I was going to eke out for a few more years but at the price I'm tempted to replace it.
Even at £348 I'd recon on it lasting a minimum of 10 years or so.
I have done various google searches and can't find any bad comments about them.
Does anyone know if the "Grab a granny" discount still applies on a wednesday and whether it applies to B&Q warehouses? That'd get me a further 10% off if I can find a granny..
I was trying to avoid a condenser boiler as I feel these are more prone to failure.
Good
At the moment the budget will probably only stretch to a single combi for both hot water and heating.
However, your suggestion does raise some interesting possibilities...I will install the pipework such that it'll be easy to add a multi-point heater at a later date (If/when finances permit)
Not because they think they are superb boilers. More that they can em cheap and charge high. The Wickes (Halstead) boilers are quite good. As I say avoid ANY boiler with a secondary condensing heat exchanger. The cost of a good quality, one piece downward firing burner boiler is not that much more.
That is a good ploy. You get a guarantee and if it lasts 6 years and you have to swap out again you are still ahead financially - as long as you DIY.
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"fair to middling, no better or worse than most others in that price range"
good business practise and as long as the markup isnt too high that's ok.
I know, the Sime I've got has lasted well but it's starting to play up, this is after replacing the gas valve and the divertor valve. next up is the diaphgram and then, probably, the circuit board as it's blown no 3A mains fuses in the last 8 years and two in the last 2 weeks.
we're selling this property within 6 months or so, I'm thinking of swapping it out (DIY + Corgi brother in law) to avoid any comebacks if the boiler packs up before winter as I suspect it will.
Who told you that? The only difference is a larger heat exchanger and condensate pipe. You HAVE to fit a condensing boiler!!!! From April 1st.
If you go for a Rinnai in the future, you can then just use the combi as a system boiler. Best leave the water connected and have isolation valves in case the Rinnai is down. 1/4 turn valves with one off and one on. Instant backup. Just leave the pipes ready. The boiler and Rinnai can go in the loft, so worth look up there as the location. As I said, the Rinnai can go outside, if space is a problem.
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There isn't much more to go wrong, just the condensate trap and waste, which are usually pretty reliable. The rest of the machine is pretty similar to a non-condensing modern boiler in terms of the number of sensors, circuit boards, valves, fans etc.
There isn't. The controls are the same for both. There is only a condensate pipe that is extra.
To fit a non-condensing boiler you have to really have no option whatsoever. It is very difficult to justify a non-condensing boiler. Get a one piece heat exchanger condensing job, and that is not the BIASI. Look at Glow Worm and Ideal Istar. Don't skimp. Reasonable price good design ed condensing boilers is the way forwards.
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