Oil boiler - Worcester/Firebird/Warmflow - which?

[bigpointyteeth]

Hi - Hoping for some quick advice - having a new oil boiler installed (along with replacing all rads) for a 4 bed house. My plumber has recommended either a Worcester, Firebird, or Warmflow - I've heard of Worcester and Firebird.

He reckons that the actual innards of all three are very similar and he's a fan of the firebirds - however he's not being very pushy so the choice is left to us and I'd be interested in your views on reliability etc!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tibbot]

All three have very different innards from each other.

 

[bigpointyteeth]

Ok - would you say any one is better than the others?

 

[Corgigrouch]

I've recently fitted a Firebird and a Grant oil boiler to two seperate jobs.... I won't be rushing to fit another Firebird but at least they are easier to service than some Worcesters...

 

[Tibbot]

I don't like any condensing model, but the Warmflow design is closest to the Grant, which I know works. The latest design Worcester does too but as CG mentioned it's fiddly to service so you'll need an engineer who can be bothered to do a proper job come service time.

 

[dcawkwell]

Warmflow are reasonably priced and I have fitted a few.
No problems so far.
Worcester are overpriced.

 

[Danoil]

Grant for me every time. Worcester are a pig to work on and take longer (extra service cost), Firebirds have had some problems sooting photocells (breakdown) and Warmflows need the secondary heat exchanger gasket changing near enough every service (extra service cost). Not had any real problems with Grant so far.

Avoid combi if possible and go with an unvented cylinder. Tad dearer but worth it.

 

[xr4x4]

Grant

 

[dcawkwell]

Grant for me every time. Worcester are a pig to work on and take longer (extra service cost), Firebirds have had some problems sooting photocells (breakdown) and Warmflows need the secondary heat exchanger gasket changing near enough every service (extra service cost). Not had any real problems with Grant so far.

Avoid combi if possible and go with an unvented cylinder. Tad dearer but worth it.

Yes go for an unvented cylinder if you can. They will last much longer than a combi as the burner isn't getting hammered each time you turn the tap.

 

[bigpointyteeth]

thanks for the feedback all