New Boiler....

[fresher309]

Ladies and Gents

In the last couple of days my Boiler has finally started to give up the ghost, its a 13 year old Brittony 80 combi boiler. It can do hot water (most of the time) but it does sound like a large aircraft landing when hot water is being used (i think this is kettling?). It only does central heating when it wants (very rarely) which isn't very good, especially since the weather has gone cold

Basically i'm looking at replacing it as i think it'll be too expensive to repair and was wondering what would be a good choice, currently i've been recomended Worcester, Vaillant and Viesmann boilers.

My house is a 1970s 3 bed semi, with 1 shower (not power) and has 6 radiators plus a towel heater in the bathroom.

The Budget is around £1500, could go a little higher and is to include install + TRVs on all rads.

I've also read about weather compensating, and am wondering if this is worth it?

any help would b most appreciated

Cheers

 

[bengasman]

That is a bit on the low side, at least for here, but don't know going prices in you area.
I normally install WB CDI's, but if the money is limited to 1500, I would recommend the Viessmann 100-w. Good quality boiler, well engineered, cheaper than the CDI, just not as quiet and a bit boxey looking. 5 years full warrantee.
Vailant would easily be the lowest on my list. Not so much for build quality, but for the appalling service the company gives; more and more installers drop them for this reason alone.

If your budget is limited, forget the weather compensation, it will cost you another £100 - £200 and the savings are not that major.

 

[doitall]

Get an Broag Avanta installed, you can add weather compensation later, otherwise your budget has gone out the window.

 

[fresher309]

well, i could stretch to £2000....seems like my xmas tv is going on the back burner.

Can the Vailliant have a WC added later? coz i dont mind upgrading later in the year when i have a bit more cash

 

[doitall]

Yes, if you're daft enough to buy a vaillant, as said, their service is the pits.

Controls can be added to any boiler.

 

[HarrogateGas]

Be warned over the Worcester CDI , I have fitted my 4th pinholed Hrdroblock on a CDI (same parts as the Junior and Si) this week. I used to keep one on my van. i now keep three. Ive even been to one CDI that is about 4 years old and is on its 3rd Hydroblock.

Over rated, over priced are Worcesters. You seem to wash half the aluminium heat ex away every year when you clean the spyon out!

 

[bengasman]

...Ive even been to one CDI that is about 4 years old and is on its 3rd Hydroblock....

That's odd. I've been fitting these things for years, and haven't had a single one fail, nor have I ever been called out to one that had a leak. Any idea what makes the difference?

 

[HarrogateGas]

Speak to your parts supplier they will definatly keep more than one in stock. I was chatting to my local Worcester rep who admitted it is a major problem. As yet they have no work around. Im sure the BG boys on here will know of the problem.

I have no idea what causes it, it pin holes on the DHW side so system water conditioned are irrelevent.


Quite a few ive changed have had Press Reducing Valves too so I dont think its down to water pressure.

 

[bengasman]

...Press Reducing Valves too so I dont think its down to water pressure.

Manual states water pressure up to 8 bar if I remember correctly, so mains pressure should not be an issue.
Can't say I recall (m)any posts about this problem. Even stranger that people don't contact WB about it as it can't be a cheap job. WB have very good reputation for replacing anything that is down to a manufacturing fault, even outside warrantee.
If this is indeed structural, I shall be changing to Viessmann.

 

[palerider45]

Speak to your parts supplier they will definatly keep more than one in stock. I was chatting to my local Worcester rep who admitted it is a major problem. As yet they have no work around. Im sure the BG boys on here will know of the problem.

I have no idea what causes it, it pin holes on the DHW side so system water conditioned are irrelevent.


Quite a few ive changed have had Press Reducing Valves too so I dont think its down to water pressure.

have to agree ive had a couple of worcesters do this on fairly new boilers too..

 

[HarrogateGas]

Not an expensive job at all...i buy the part for £11.64 and it comes with everything. O rings, clips, washers, screws the lot. The Worcester rep said they were delibratly selling the part ar near cost to try to stop a future backlash from when the sh*t hits the fan.

Not a bad job at all on the CDI (about 20mins)....bit more faffy on the Junior and SI as access is a little more tight and there is a n extra water connection to deal with.

 

[doitall]

Not an expensive job at all...i buy the part for £11.64 and it comes with everything. O rings, clips, washers, screws the lot. The Worcester rep said they were delibratly selling the part ar near cost to try to stop a future backlash from when the sh*t hits the fan.

Not a bad job at all on the CDI (about 20mins)....bit more faffy on the Junior and SI as access is a little more tight and there is a n extra water connection to deal with.

All very well but Wb should be doing the changing at no cost.

Typical rip off Britain.

 

[bengasman]

That's why I said earlier on that I found it odd he got paid for it; WB are normally very good at exchanging things that are not up to spec.
Maybe people are so used to being ripped off, that they don't even ask for a foc repair.

 

[holty]

remember summit similar also 2-3 year ago on a worcester day, on the juniors about this same problem but being blamed for over pressure. hence MIs stating EV.remember when the trainer was asked what boiler he had. he come out with old vaillant turbomax.

 

[doitall]

Wb plate hx have always been a problem.

I wonder how many time you can bend that lug before it breaks off.