Advice needed on the correct size of boiler and gas supply pipe please

[hztm2008]

Would really appreciate some advice please.

My mother has had quotes to replace her boiler, one from British Gas and the other from an independent. This is a small end of terrace 2 up 2 down with 2 radiators downstairs and 3 radiators upstairs.

The independent has quoted Valiant EcoTEC Plus 18Kw regular boiler and said that the gas supply pipe needs to be upgraded to 22mm. (Price £2277). This is a pain as the gas meter is in the wall outside and we would need to run new pipework internally all around the kitchen. The installer is an advanced installer so we would get 7 year warranty.

British Gas have quoted Worcester Bosch Greenstar 12Ri ErP regular boiler but have not indicated an upgrade to the supply so I assume they are going to connect this to the existing 15mm supply pipe. (Price £2977)

(1) These are 2 different size boilers. Do we need 12KW or 18KW?
(2) Any other advice on the best option.
(3) The independent said that we need to have an internet connected thermostat like NEST to meet the new Heating Plus 2018 regulations but is this correct because I have read that this only applies to combi boilers?
Many thanks

 

[Dan Robinson]

12kw would be enough but the Vaillant is a better boiler.

 

[Crofton Gas]

Definitely go with Vaillant, depending on gas pipe run, you could get a EcoTEC Plus 412 12kW, which should be suitable for the size of your property. An additional energy saving device is required under boiler plus for Combi, for regular boiler it must have a timeclock and room thermostat to comply.

 

[CWHEATING]

Don’t go with British Gas they’ll more than likely fit the boiler then tell you that your gas pipework needs upgrading. By law they’ll be able to turn off your appliance until you pay the extra money to increase the size of your gas run.
100% go with Vaillant installer.

 

[Mottie]

I’ve got a 60,000 btu boiler (@18kw) in my loft at the moment and it’s being replaced with a Vaillant 418 EcoTec Plus regular boiler next month. Approx 8m x 15mm gas pipe run. Had 3 quotes (one from BG) and all agreed the current pipe run was sufficient for a regular boiler. The installer fitting it is a Vaillant approved installer.

 

[MTCH]

No requirement for a Smart control with optimisation function, the new part L regs/ boiler plus, only apply for the installation of combi boilers.

 

[Razor900]

Don’t go with British Gas they’ll more than likely fit the boiler then tell you that your gas pipework needs upgrading. By law they’ll be able to turn off your appliance until you pay the extra money to increase the size of your gas run.
100% go with Vaillant installer.

Sorry but none of that is true. They wild upgrade it at their own cost or more likely just ignore it if slightly under

 

[FiremanT]

Don’t go with British Gas they’ll more than likely fit the boiler then tell you that your gas pipework needs upgrading. By law they’ll be able to turn off your appliance until you pay the extra money to increase the size of your gas run.
100% go with Vaillant installer.

I am not saying to use BG, but of you are going to knock a firm, get your facts right. They guarantee their price, even if something occurs that is not expected or quoted for.

 

[gas112]

Get price from different independent the one you have has given two wrong examples already , boiler is well oversized and you don't need a more expensive and complicated nest type controller for a standard boiler and as fireman says BG will stick to a quote regardless of what. Crops up

 

[FiremanT]

100% go with Vaillant installer.

Even though he got ot completely wrong

I had not previusly took any notice of the house description.

 

[gasmanstu72]

Don’t go with British Gas they’ll more than likely fit the boiler then tell you that your gas pipework needs upgrading. By law they’ll be able to turn off your appliance until you pay the extra money to increase the size of your gas run.
100% go with Vaillant installer.

what nonsense is this??

EDIT: didn't see other replies to this before mine (annoys me when people slate other companies when they don't know the full facts)