Worcester Boiler

[Sgt Bilko]

Righty, i finally managed to get someone round to have a look at my boiler (no hot water) and the diaphragm had split, and a microswitch was playing up. They managed to fix the switch, but had to fit a new diaphragm. They also noticed the iginter (pizo?) had broken, but also fixed that without needing to put a new one in.

However, as suspected the old girl is on her last legs (10+ y/o - 50 in human years!) and I quizzed them about a new fit. Surprisingly they didn't go for the hard sell. They were quite upfront about everything, cost fittings etc.

Their company reccomends a Worcester 28i Junior Condensing Combi. Appraently it either comes with, or they supply a wireless room thermostat.

Anyone got any experience of these Boilers (positive or otherwise). A quick google search brings back mainly suppliers and i'd prefer some unbiased opinion before commiting £1500.

 

[Gasguru]

Allow £100 per year if you want a proper annual service on it, too full of plastic for my liking and some parts are very labour intensive to replace ie big future bills

 

[Sgt Bilko]

Also they said they are offering a 5 year warranty on it. Not sure if this is the supplier or fitter?

 

[nickso]

Allow £100 per year if you want a proper annual service on it, too full of plastic for my liking and some parts are very labour intensive to replace ie big future bills

really? i thought everything looked pretty straight forward to remove on these.

i agree with the plastic though. only time will tell if it becomes a brittle timebomb.

 

[cjb1971]

Allow £100 per year if you want a proper annual service on it, too full of plastic for my liking and some parts are very labour intensive to replace ie big future bills

i was at worcester bosch last week doing the servicing/faultfinding course, as for proper anual service-as long as the fan pressure readings are ok the combustion chamer does not have to be touched at all-stripped all major parts down with ease-divertor valve was off in matter of minutes!Even if heat exchanger does need a clean u only have to replace a gasket which would be included in the service price anyway,we charge around £70 for the anual service.

 

[penpusher]

I am finding the Juniors to be fairly reliable on the whole but agree completely with the plastic thing. Baxi Bahamas spring to mind......

 

[Gasguru]

The pressure reading taken after only a single year of operartion is very close to the reccomended trigger pressure for a service. Given the amount of corrosion on the lower baffle (and how well it jams in the heat exchanger) leaving it two years may be pushing it.

Allow 1.5 Hrs for the service and safety checks (and the usual once over on the other gas appliances). Add cost of the burner and sump cover gaskets required and FGA. Its a slow job cleaning out the heat ex. therefore a couple of hours minimum with the travel. About £10 for the gaskets and the cost of FGA.

You need the Worcester cleaning kit - shaped brush and baffle removal tool and you need to knock up a bottle/tubing to flush out the heat ex.

 

[ChrisR]

How long does it take to get the DHWHE, or the PRV, out?

 

[JB Gas]

only do install so don't know about service but if it is that expensive stick it on a contract. The boilers are very reliable in my own experiance and the price looks very good.

 

[Rob]

How long does it take to get the DHWHE, or the PRV, out?

Too long. To get the PRV out requires the whole jig to come out. To think they did this on purpose.

The HE is removable as most are but they strongly recommend it to is done with the jig out to check the seals.

 

[Gasguru]

How long does it take to get the DHWHE, or the PRV, out?

The manual says the whole bottom end has to come out to change the plate or PRV so its another "Worcester fixed price repair" in those cases.

All the Juniors I've come across so far I've hidden the loops to stop the tenants overpresurising but they've all been installed on grotty old systems so big bills are due some time soon..

 

[gas4you]

He must be a worcester certified installer to be able to offer a 5 year warranty.

Personally I wouldn't touch worcester and from the previous comments about servicing and fixing I'm glad I dont!

Go for a Vaillant Ecotec Plus 831, a lot better boiler that is easy and quick to service and repair, if it ever breaks down

 

[JB Gas]

stick with the wb 5 year warranty can't go wrong not as good as a cdi but don't cost as much either. As they say on there boilers corgi domestic heating product of the year second year running

 

[Sgt Bilko]

Cheers for the advice gents

 

[gas4you]

stick with the wb 5 year warranty can't go wrong not as good as a cdi but don't cost as much either. As they say on there boilers corgi domestic heating product of the year second year running

We all know what we think about corgi though WB probably gave corgi a backhander, we all know corgi will do anything for a bit extra money