Recommend a good Heat Only boiler

[RickH]

I am looking to replace 2 boilers in adjacent properties .... both currently have Baxi 100HE Heat only boilers.
They are connected to thermal stores (1.5bar)
Pressure vessel, thermostat, pumps and controls are taken care of separately, so the boilers are used simply ...... i.e. they get a call for heat via the 220V AC circuit goes live, they provide heat, modulate as necessary, until such time as 220V is dropped.

Been working for almost 20 years, system design works well, but both boilers becoming increasingly unreliable, and although under contract the first response each time is .... needs replacing, we can do you a special deal on the new boiler.
Plus diagnostics on the boilers are almost zero.

I know the Intergas models are usually mentioned, but there seems to be no approved installer in S.Wales. Intergas though advised I can get full warranty as long as installed by any Gas Safe engineer. (surprising as some are useless)
They advised their OV 30 model would suit.
Valiant would not approve their models (with SS heat exchanger) for use with the thermal store.


Any other makes I should consider .... want a basic HEAT only model, with stainless Steel heat exchanger, and a good reputation, the current maintenance company advise Baxi HEAT 600 is a good consideration.
I had thought about Worcester - but lots of disparaging comments here.

 

[CBW]

So why not stick with Baxi then, or go for a slightly cheaper version of a Main (part of same group)? Vokera are a cheap enough boiler, with a few on here who like them.

 

[RickH]

I could stick with BAXI and get the HEAT models, just trying to see what my best options are.
Their HEAT range only have aluminium heat exchangers, having had heat exchangers fail on both boilers …. Think it prudent to get stainless steel this time.
Not after 'a cheap boiler', seen the heap of rubbish my son had with his Ravenheat boiler, but don’t want to throw money away if no value add.

 

[ianmcd]

Have a look at the Alpha E TEC Rgular, stailsee heat exchanger , I have fitted 2 on thermal stores , service them every year and both are like brand new, very simple and reliable little boilers

 

[Agile]

The Worcester Ri range are very popular and seem quite reliable although an alloy HE.

I have fitted about 11 of them and the only failure was a fan quickly sorted under the warranty.

 

[RickH]

I did contact Worcester they advised the Greenstar 8000 Life 30kW Regular, or the Greenstar 27 - 30 Ri Compact Regular boiler I'm not familiar with the Worcester range, so don't know which would be more suitable.
Do you know what key differences are ?
At such a premium price shame they don't do Stainless Heat Exchanger.

As both existing boilers had to have new heat exchangers, thinking it worthwhile to avoid Aluminium.

 

[fixitflav]

I did contact Worcester they advised the Greenstar 8000 Life 30kW Regular, or the Greenstar 27 - 30 Ri Compact Regular boiler I'm not familiar with the Worcester range, so don't know which would be more suitable.
Do you know what key differences are ?
At such a premium price shame they don't do Stainless Heat Exchanger.

As both existing boilers had to have new heat exchangers, thinking it worthwhile to avoid Aluminium.

You haven't said how big the properties are, but if they're anything like normal houses 30kW is way OTT.

 

[RickH]

Using simple room count it's 6 bedroom, 2 bathroom.
The system calculation came out at 26kW ..... so a modulating 30kW is the choice size (though would take 28kW which some offer)

 

[RickH]

Have a look at the Alpha E TEC Rgular, stailsee heat exchanger , I have fitted 2 on thermal stores , service them every year and both are like brand new, very simple and reliable little boilers

Not familiar with ALPHA, quick Google advised me they are a budget boiler, how do they compare with the bigger names.

 

[muggles]

Worth noting that thermal stores ruin the efficiency of modern boilers as they run too hot, so if the store is old consider taking the opportunity to convert to an unvented cylinder. You can then set the whole thing up to run priority hot water which will have a positive effect on gas bills.

Intergas are definitely worth looking at and the ECO RF can be run open vent. Alpha ETECs are also good boilers and again can run priority hot water if desired.

 

[RickH]

I am not going to change the Thermal store while it is working fine. It is also a key part of the UFH heating design.
I can run it at whatever temp I want.
It is system designed to run at 65 Degrees (at 1/3rd up thermostat), so currently use that.

I want a HEAT only boiler, so no differentiating for DHW/Heating.

 

[RickH]

So far I have the following options .

Intergas HRE 30 OV £989
Veissman Vitodens 100-W Heat Only £986
Alpha sTec REgular £584

The simplified sketch shows set up

 

[muggles]

I am not going to change the Thermal store while it is working fine. It is also a key part of the UFH heating design.
I can run it at whatever temp I want.
It is system designed to run at 65 Degrees (at 1/3rd up thermostat), so currently use that.

I want a HEAT only boiler, so no differentiating for DHW/Heating.

Oh, it's you again isn't it, we've been around this circle with you before haven't we, except last time you said you had a Baxi Barcelona rather than a 100HE. The same advice as before still applies though - the advice you weren't too willing to accept on that occasion either.

New boiler choice ?

As some may know from a recent post on yet another breakdown with my ageing Baxi Barcelona, it needs to be replaced. Requirement 30kW Cas Condensing boiler, wall-mounted, horizontal flue. Heat only It is connected to a pressurised thermal store, so only contents of the store circulated...

www.diynot.com

 

[RickH]

You are correct that for me it was a Baxi Barcelona ..... but it was upgraded by BAXI to a 100HE spec with all the parts that were fitted. The boiler was fixed and I left it for 18 months ..... now decided to bring forward replacement with a new boiler - as time moves on and new models become available, asking for advice on the boiler.
For example, previously you had to have an Intergas Installer do the job or could not get 10 yr warranty, now they only need a GasSafe Engineer - big change for the better.

I only want to consider changing the boiler so the question is specific to that ........ a 30kW Heat only boiler than can be connected to a Pressurised Thermal Store.

Advice on changing thermal store is as before not relevant as I do not wish to change the store.
As it happens my neighbour has same system he has 100HE (from new) so 2 of us want to change out boilers - so asking for advice. (He also does not want to change the Thermal store)

 

[RickH]

Found the original install schematic.
Had a few Heating Engineers now look at job ..... if Viessman will re-activate them as approved (they were until recently) that will get me 10 yr warrant and I will get the Viessman Vitodens 100-W fitted.
If they won't then it's likely to be a Bosch Worcester Greenstar 100-W heat only, pity such an expensive boiler yet does not have stainless steel heat exchanger. I do like the 10 yr guarantee .... clear & simple, much better than a warranty.