Combi Boiler Recommendations, Please

[barry1010]

My neighbour's very old traditional boiler has just been condemned and she has asked my advice about buying the 'best possible' combi-boiler. That is what she wants, no room for manoeuvre.
She has a three bed semi if that makes any difference. She is quite upset and has nobody else to help

What would you buy?

[Buenchico]

A quick look at several review sites seems to suggest that the Worcester Bosch brand seems to the highest-rated just about everywhere.

This page from the The Independent website, which was updated only a week ago, goes into a lot more detail:
https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/combi-boilers

[Vagus]

Barry, we had a Worcester Bosch combi boiler fitted by a company called Boxt at the beginning of November last year.
Can’t recommend both the boiler and company highly enough.
Boxt will give you a quote online, very easy, and what they quote is what you pay. Their reviews are excellent, have a look at both the company and boiler.

[klazomaniac]

Do some research on youtube (link below). (Baxi Main 30 Eco combi) it's got the same internal components as the Baxi 600 for a price tag of £500 less. I had one fitted (and i'm very happy with it)

[gingejbee]

The three best brands (Which?) are Worcester Bosch, Vaillant and Veissmann.
I'd have a Vaillant.

[Old_Geezer]

It seems the issue with the Worcester is that plumbers say it's not easy to work on when there is an issue. Had a few not want the job, and presently my woman's boiler is playing up pressurewise, on occasion, and has been told they'd have to remove the boiler to get to the pressure release valve !

It may be an idea to await a few opinions from those in the trade, as well as with owners.

[douglas9401]

I have a three bed two bath semi and had a Viessmann Vitodens 100-W fitted a couple of years ago.
It's excellent.

[klazomaniac]

Spot on OG. I had the same problem. Gas fitter recommended the Main eco for me. Expansion vessel can be removed independently on this one.

[Etch]

What has made her set on having a combi-boiler? Is that what whoever "condemned" her old boiler said she should have. It is possible to get a modern, condensing, system boiler which would mean less work on the associated pipework, and she would still have a hot water cylinder and airing cupboard:
https://www.vaillant.co.uk/homeowners/advice-and-knowledge/what-is-a-system-boiler-1796513.html

[ladybirder]

I bought the smallest Bosch suited to my small flat 2 years ago and it's got 6 years warranty and I have a Bosch registered guy to service it. I was told by my neighbour, an electrician to get a Vaillant if I didn't get a Bosch. He works with lots of other trades so he knows you know! No problems at all.

[The Builder]

Tell her not to worry unduly, Barry.
No matter how much Googling you do, it invariably comes back to the makes that the others have already mentioned.
(To which I would add "Ideal" and "Viessmann.")

I'm assuming it's gas?
And 10 year guarantees are common now. That says a lot.
OG makes a good point, but unfortunately, they all have their pros and cons.
The best way is for her to invite say, three quotes, and go with whoever she feels most confident with. (Rarely the cheapest either.)

3-bed semi?
Don't let anyone quote for the minimum size just to keep the price down.
It's considered good practice to slightly "oversize" the boiler.
As with most mechanical appliances, it's less strain on the system chugging along quietly rather than going flat-out all the time.

[Vagus]

Should have said, ours has a 10 year parts and labour guarantee.

[The Builder]

I'd be interested in her answer to Etch's question too.
Simply replacing a conventional boiler for a newer one would certainly need less work, but it's purely a matter of personal preference.

Before fitting a Combi, I would definitely suggest a pressure test on the whole radiator system before fitting a Combi.
Even the slightest weep somewhere can easily result in system pressure loss, and the leak can often be hard to find.
It's a simple job to do a test.

She won't go far wrong if she chooses from the middle to upper price boilers. Steer well clear of the cheapest.

[Vagus]

We still have our airing cupboard which I’m pleased about as I use it all the time.
It obviously doesn’t have a hot water tank in it anymore but does have the combi in there which keeps it warm enough to air the clothes I put in.
We find we use far less gas than with our previous 17 year old Vaillent which was serviced every year, but more water due to having to run the tap for longer to get really hot water.

[barry1010]

Thanks all, plenty to think about there.
She wants a combi boiler because she has been longing to get the immersion heater out of her bathroom to make room for a shower unit.

I will be discussing it with her later, fortunately she has a gas fire and the weather is somewhat milder.