We had a Keston C40 installed about 4 years ago. We chose Keston simply because it was wintertime and Potterton were unable to supply. But it seems to break down for some reason or another once per year - in fact, as I type this I am waiting for the engineers to arrive (and it is snowing outside!)
One of the first problems was the fan shedding parts of itself. Keston were very good about this. They admitted the problem with the fan and although the boiler was out of guarantee they replaced the fan free of charge
Since then we have taken out a British Gas service contract - something we felt was unnecessary for a brand new boiler but we have found it essential. What we didn't know was whether the modern condensing boiler with all of its complex electronics was a naturally unreliable animal compared with the older models.
Anyway. As of now I would warn prospective purchasers not to buy this boiler. But whether other makes are more reliable I've no idea.
As a rider I should add that there is one component that according to the service engineer regularly failed due to a design fault (it melts!). It was not an expensive item but the repair was delayed whilst British Gas had to locate one of these parts. I wrote to Keston and said that if this was a potential problem as they said I'd be happy to buy a spare from them and keep it readily available (like one used to keep a spare fan-belt for Ford motorcars!). I felt this to be a very reasonable approach but Keston never replied!
One of the first problems was the fan shedding parts of itself. Keston were very good about this. They admitted the problem with the fan and although the boiler was out of guarantee they replaced the fan free of charge
Since then we have taken out a British Gas service contract - something we felt was unnecessary for a brand new boiler but we have found it essential. What we didn't know was whether the modern condensing boiler with all of its complex electronics was a naturally unreliable animal compared with the older models.
Anyway. As of now I would warn prospective purchasers not to buy this boiler. But whether other makes are more reliable I've no idea.
As a rider I should add that there is one component that according to the service engineer regularly failed due to a design fault (it melts!). It was not an expensive item but the repair was delayed whilst British Gas had to locate one of these parts. I wrote to Keston and said that if this was a potential problem as they said I'd be happy to buy a spare from them and keep it readily available (like one used to keep a spare fan-belt for Ford motorcars!). I felt this to be a very reasonable approach but Keston never replied!
