I need to get a new boiler as my existing one is over ten years old and has developed yet another problem. And given I am renting out my flat I need something that is reliable, besides I will probably be selling my flat in a couple of years.
I have a 2 bedroom flat with one bathroom that has a shower. I have had three quotes with wildly varying results. Firstly two of the fitters have told me a 24Kw boiler would be insufficient to the needs of the property especially in the winter so I looked at 28kw and 31kw models. Another told me that boilers of that power would be overkill and 24kw would be more like it. So what do I need for the property, I was thinking 28ish but this last quote has contradicted?
The models I have been looking at are the Potterton Gold 28, Vaillant Ecotec Plus 31, Worcester Bosch 27 CDi and Worcester Bosch Greenstar Jr 24. On Which's website the Potterton and Vaillant seem like good models with the Worcesters being more average especially on efficiency. And it seems each fitter has preference with two recommending Worcesters (27CDi and Jr 24) and one Vaillant ecoTec plus 31. From what I can tell Worcester have a good rep for support and Potterton not so good, is this the case, and what are Vaillant like?
The prices have all come back in the 1900 bracket so there doesn't seem to be much in it, apart from one guy who said he could a Potterton for 1660. One of the fitters was Worcester Bosch approved so I would get a 5 year warranty apparently, although this one was the guy recommending the 24kw Jr for 1950. Basically a cheaper boiler at a similar price. And when I asked for prices whilst on the phone to him for the Potterton and Vaillant he said he could do it for the same without really looking it up or anything. I maybe tempted to pay more for the longer guarantee but I don't have confidence in them at his point.
To be honest as time progresses I feel like I am more confused rather than getting closer to a decision. I don't know what power boiler I really need. What manufacturer/model is better? What manufacturer support is like? I know these things are never straightforward but I don't even feel in a position to compare plus points and negatives with contradictory info.
Any help/advice is welcome.
I have a 2 bedroom flat with one bathroom that has a shower. I have had three quotes with wildly varying results. Firstly two of the fitters have told me a 24Kw boiler would be insufficient to the needs of the property especially in the winter so I looked at 28kw and 31kw models. Another told me that boilers of that power would be overkill and 24kw would be more like it. So what do I need for the property, I was thinking 28ish but this last quote has contradicted?
The models I have been looking at are the Potterton Gold 28, Vaillant Ecotec Plus 31, Worcester Bosch 27 CDi and Worcester Bosch Greenstar Jr 24. On Which's website the Potterton and Vaillant seem like good models with the Worcesters being more average especially on efficiency. And it seems each fitter has preference with two recommending Worcesters (27CDi and Jr 24) and one Vaillant ecoTec plus 31. From what I can tell Worcester have a good rep for support and Potterton not so good, is this the case, and what are Vaillant like?
The prices have all come back in the 1900 bracket so there doesn't seem to be much in it, apart from one guy who said he could a Potterton for 1660. One of the fitters was Worcester Bosch approved so I would get a 5 year warranty apparently, although this one was the guy recommending the 24kw Jr for 1950. Basically a cheaper boiler at a similar price. And when I asked for prices whilst on the phone to him for the Potterton and Vaillant he said he could do it for the same without really looking it up or anything. I maybe tempted to pay more for the longer guarantee but I don't have confidence in them at his point.
To be honest as time progresses I feel like I am more confused rather than getting closer to a decision. I don't know what power boiler I really need. What manufacturer/model is better? What manufacturer support is like? I know these things are never straightforward but I don't even feel in a position to compare plus points and negatives with contradictory info.
Any help/advice is welcome.