Worcester vs Vaillant vs Gloworm...

[Phil473]

I realise this has been asked many times.

Our previous Worcester 28CDI in our other property lasted 18 years and has been replaced with a Wrcester 4000. Eary days but so far, so good.

Looking to replace a J&S combi, a couple of engineers have recommended Vaillant. Worcester is what I know works, but are the other two better in any way? Ok, I'm guessing there's no clear answer in this. Aftercare is also a consideration, and someone on this forum pointed out that manufacturer guarantees are just marketing, which is an interesting point.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Looking to replace a J&S combi, a couple of engineers have recommended Vaillant.

Engineers, tend to specialise, in certain makes, and they will recommend those. I have a Vaillant and it has been great, no problems at all.

 

[Phil473]

Engineers, tend to specialise, in certain makes, and they will recommend those. I have a Vaillant and it has been great, no problems at all.

Thanks. How old? Did you have to use your warranty at all?

 

[Phil473]

I'm guessing there's no shortage of parts/engineers for either 3 options... Please correct if wrong.

I could still get parts for the 18 year old Worcester CDi before I replaced, which anyone seemed to be able to fit. That's one reason I continued with Worcester.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks. How old? Did you have to use your warranty at all?

4 years, no repairs at all. 18 years out of a modern boiler, is good going.

 

[Phil473]

Was a good boiler, but expensive to run compared to the newer ones. 75% efficiancy on the CDi, compared to the 94% efficiency of the 4000.

 

[spile]

Won’t have another Vaillant after lots of issues with our ten year old Ecotec but they appear to have resolved those in recent models. Round here installers like Baxi.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Won’t have another Vaillant after lots of issues with our ten year old Ecotec but they appear to have resolved those in recent models. Round here installers like Baxi.

Mine is an Ecotec, but not a combi. The much simpler heat-only version.

 

[Phil473]

God forbid they build boilers like they used to; lasting over 20 years instead of ending up in a lanfill at 10-15 years. Instead of paying more for carbon reduction, perhaps we could pay less for old school boilers that cause less waste and therefore pollution.

Sorry, just having a rant....

 

[CountryFan]

Vaillant and GlowWorm part of the same group. The difference being price and some Vaillant I believe are the GlowWorm footprint, so paying for the Vaillant name.

 

[Phil473]

Won’t have another Vaillant after lots of issues with our ten year old Ecotec but they appear to have resolved those in recent models. Round here installers like Baxi.

How were Vaillant about the issue? Did they give the usual 'the boiler was at the end of its life, despite the same boiler lasting nearly twice as long in Germany?'

Could it have been an installer issue?

The Worcester 8000 seems to have a 12 year guarantee, though only if you take their filter and pay another £40.

 

[Phil473]

Vaillant and GlowWorm part of the same group. The difference being price and some Vaillant I believe are the GlowWorm footprint, so paying for the Vaillant name.

Same components? A relative got 15 years out of a glowarm. Older model of course.

 

[CountryFan]

Same components? A relative got 15 years out of a glowarm. Older model of course.

Same components and same layout I believe. Personally I think a lot boils down to how it's been installed and onto what type of system. We have still got some Vaillant that are from 2006 with only needing wear and tear components. We also have some Vaillants that have been replaced at age 10 years due to the economic repair side of it.

 

[Phil473]

Same components and same layout I believe. Personally I think a lot boils down to how it's been installed and onto what type of system. We have still got some Vaillant that are from 2006 with only needing wear and tear components. We also have some Vaillants that have been replaced at age 10 years due to the economic repair side of it.

Thank you. Good to know that they are still stocking components from 2006. How are their aftercare? I've found Worcester to be good over the phone, but a Worcester engineer was a bit on the difficult side on a new installation. Had a 'danger, do not use,' sticker on a 1 week Worcester boiler, because the flue wasn't long enough, by around 5cm. (Installer had been fine with the flue)

Said that the warranty was invalid, until the situation was remedied with a Worcester approved part; a £100 flue extention is was basically a £5 bit of drain pipe.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/worcester-bosch-plume-management-kit/90277

Warranty now ok, but they will take a £200ish deposit should they need to visit again. I offered photos of 'remedial work,' and welcomed any feedback. No, they'll just take the deposit if they need to visit and keep it if not happy.

Not the best experience, but the flue was 1.8M above patio, now its another 1M higher, which is better if you're out on patio.

If Valliant and/or Glowarm providing better after care than this, I'd consider them.

 

[CountryFan]

I've found no issue with Vaillants aftercare, but suppose it can vary depending on location