I have had a Worcester Heatslave 2+ boiler for 27 years. During that time it has been serviced annually by a gas engineer.
The other day it required its first spare part - the pilot safety thermocouple failed.
Other than this minor repair it has never gone wrong or caused any trouble. I have checked its efficiency (16Kw in, 11Kw o/p to water) which is still the same as when it was new. The surplus warmth heats my drying cupboard, so its overall efficiency I estimate to be in excess of 80%. And it is nearly silent in operation.
The boiler has no electronic components.
I fear that when it finally needs replacing a new boiler will give far more trouble, and will be a net annual cost to me despite the slight improvement in efficiency from a condensing boiler. Some £3,000 to install, and a higher annual service charge even before the cost of any repairs.
And it is unlikely to last for the best part of 30 years.
It is a pity that new technology seems to offer only more complexity and cost, without giving much in the way of improvement in overall efficiency or convenience. javascript:emoticon('')
Sad
The other day it required its first spare part - the pilot safety thermocouple failed.
Other than this minor repair it has never gone wrong or caused any trouble. I have checked its efficiency (16Kw in, 11Kw o/p to water) which is still the same as when it was new. The surplus warmth heats my drying cupboard, so its overall efficiency I estimate to be in excess of 80%. And it is nearly silent in operation.
The boiler has no electronic components.
I fear that when it finally needs replacing a new boiler will give far more trouble, and will be a net annual cost to me despite the slight improvement in efficiency from a condensing boiler. Some £3,000 to install, and a higher annual service charge even before the cost of any repairs.
And it is unlikely to last for the best part of 30 years.
It is a pity that new technology seems to offer only more complexity and cost, without giving much in the way of improvement in overall efficiency or convenience. javascript:emoticon('')
Sad