Boiler- Worcester Bosch or Valiant?

[A57 HSV]

The time has come to replace my 17 year old WB combi boiler. I've always had good service from WB in the past, so I'm inclined to get another one.

Fitters have long been divided between as to which is better WB or Valiant. On the latest models, is one make now clearly superior to the other? If so why?

I have a two storey 4 bed cottage, with a bathroom and a shower room. Any recommendations?

[moles]

Combi boiler vaillant are better than Worcester imo, if heat only and connected to a cylinder Worcester or vaillant.

[Lotus Notes]

I bought my Mum a Viessmann combi two years ago and it's been very good (old 3 bed semi)
No issues, near immediate hot-water and low energy losses.

I highly recommend one.

[elster]

I fit a variety, but my preference is Viessmann.

I have also fitted 2 of them in my house.

[megaphone]

I chose a Valliant combi recently on recommendation AND the 5 year warranty it came with. You'll rarely get an unbiased recommendation from a plumber, they all have their favourites, the one they get the best deal on, or the one that gives them the best support and back-up. Vaillant and Worchester have done a great job on marketing and getting plumbers 'on-side'.

My plumber freely admitted he prefers to fit Vaillant as they are 'easier' to install. He gets a good deal from his wholesaler and they keep all the parts in stock. He freely admitted that they are all much of a muchness regarding performance AND reliability.

It's been installed for two months so far, works well, very quiet compared to my old Potterton. But, I've noticed the occasional 'clonk' as it switches off and on, not every time but still a little worrying from a new boiler. Waiting for it to go away or get worse.

Edited by megaphone on Monday 23 January 09:14

[megaphone]

moles said:

Combi boiler vaillant are better than Worcester imo,

Can you expand? Why are they better?

[Simpo Two]

My chap is recommending WB and Ideal. I think it mostly depends on which maker gives them the most impressive sales pitch, I mean training course.

That said my 1988 boiler is an Ideal - but that dosn't mean a 2017 Ideal is going to be built like a 1988 one.

[gizlaroc]

From what I have been told, the Valiant boilers have more cards in them that can be replaced easily and cheaply if needed, and that is why many prefer them? Not sure if that is true.

My plumber prefers Bosh Worcester as he gets a 10 year warranty, nothing more.

[megaphone]

gizlaroc said:

From what I have been told, the Valiant boilers have more cards in them that can be replaced easily and cheaply if needed, and that is why many prefer them? Not sure if that is true.

My plumber prefers Bosh Worcester as he gets a 10 year warranty, nothing more.

There's only one PCB in my Vaillant combi, however the other parts do look 'modular', it looks pretty straight forward to swap out parts, access appears good. Lots of plastic! A huge difference to 25 year old Potterton that came out which was very industrial.

[AshBurrows]

We were looking at the same thing. WB seems a better, more well known brand but the Valiant had a stainless heat exchanger rather than ali in the WB so we went for that.

[moles]

They are built better inside worcester combi's are full of plastic. Vaillant are brass/copper predominantly and they are nicer to work on. In 20 years time id imagine a Vaillant will be in a much better state than a Worcester combi. They are both good but imo Vaillant are better. Google "inside vaillant ecotec" then "inside worcester greenstar combi" and look at the difference in pictures. There is a vast difference in the amount of plastic used between the two.

megaphone said:

moles said:

Combi boiler vaillant are better than Worcester imo,

Can you expand? Why are they better?

Edited by moles on Monday 23 January 12:25

[Simpo Two]

If I started a boiler company called VALIANT I'd do really well from all the people who can't spell 'Vaillant'!

[Funk]

I went with WB 3 years ago because of the 7 year warranty it came with. It's been spot-on so far.

[AshBurrows]

AshBurrows said:

We were looking at the same thing. WB seems a better, more well known brand but the Vaillant had a stainless heat exchanger rather than ali in the WB so we went for that.

Just to add to this, both the WB and Vaillant were offered with 10 year warranties.

[Cpt Stirling]

elster said:

I fit a variety, but my preference is Viessmann.

I have also fitted 2 of them in my house.

I went from a Worcester to one of these. It is good.

[mikeiow]

I imagine most of all of the are generally good......we had an unfixable EA Error with our old WB before we gave up....our plumber prefers Ideal....

[Busterbulldog]

Baxi duo tech have served me well.Good warranty and metal components. Simple controls and good warranties.No call backs if they're fitted right.