What Boiler Should I Have? Here’s What UK Plumbers Recommend
Key Takeaways
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The question “What boiler should I have?” can be difficult to answer.
>Key Takeaways:
- Factors that influence a plumber’s recommendation
- Which UK boiler brand has the most affiliated plumbers in its network?
- Top-selling boiler brands in the UK
- Top-selling boiler brands’ warranty length
- The plumber’s recommendation
Some might feel overwhelmed after researching the internet for the most reliable boilers in 2024.
Sometimes you just want a simple answer from an expert—a plumber who is a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What Makes A Boiler A Winner For A Plumber?
When hiring a plumber to assist you with installing a new boiler ensure they are registered on the official Gas Safe Register.
We’re assuming you’ll be looking at gas boilers as they are the most popular heating system in the UK. Gas accounts for 75% of residential heating energy consumption.
The characteristics that will affect your plumber’s decision about which boiler they want you to install include:
Ease Of Installation
There’s nothing more frustrating for a plumber than having to wrestle with an overly complicated boiler.
Plumbers always recommend boilers that are intuitive, easy to install, have fewer parts, and if necessary come with clear instructions. A boiler that meets these criteria saves the plumber time and effort.
Plumbers also prefer smaller and more compact boilers which are easier to move and fit into place.
Lastly, a boiler with a flexible flue option is a win for plumbers. A flexible flue makes fitting the boiler into tight spaces easier with little to no additional modification.
Reliability And Build Quality
Plumbers prefer working with boilers that are reliable and built from quality materials. Better-quality parts last longer and reduce the chance of callbacks.
Also, high-quality components mean the boiler will perform reliably and consistently reflecting well on the plumber’s service.
Great Customer Support
Most plumbers suggest reliable boiler brands because they usually offer excellent customer support. A brand that provides:
- Good after-sales service
- Readily available spare parts
- Quick responses to queries
- On-time deliveries
All these factors make a plumber’s job easier, enabling them to complete their work properly and on time.
Simple To Maintain
A boiler that is easy to work on with accessible parts and modular designs automatically reduces the required time for an annual service. In the plumbing industry, anything that can be simplified and done on time is a win.
Also, a boiler with a built-in diagnostics system will make finding the problem far easier. Without these diagnostics systems, plumbers must visually inspect the boiler and listen to its noises.
Costs And Great Warranty Plans
Plumbers are often budget-conscious as they usually need to buy the parts on their account and invoice the clients upon completion of their work. While each plumber has their method of invoicing for work, expensive boilers automatically make processes more difficult.
A boiler with a solid warranty plan is a major bonus for a plumber. A warranty agreement can cover parts and labour costs, meaning less paperwork for the plumber.
Brand Affiliation
Boiler manufacturers offer warranty extensions if a brand-accredited or trained plumber installs, maintains, and repairs the unit. Training plumbers to understand precisely how a brand’s boiler works means they can isolate the problem and make the repairs faster.
While this might make your plumber’s recommendation somewhat biased, it’s a win for everyone if the brand they work with is reliable and within your budget.
Which UK Boiler Brand Has The Most Affiliated Plumbers?
Finding a brand-affiliated plumber ensures they understand your boiler and helps extend the unit’s warranty agreement.
Four boiler manufacturers currently dominate the UK market. According to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) they sell around 1.5 million gas boilers annually.
These top four boiler brands are:
- Worcester Bosch
- Vaillant
- Ideal
- Baxi
The top player is Worcester Bosch in terms of annual sales in the UK, selling around 500,000 boilers a year. Due to the sheer sales volume, the brand boasts the largest affiliated plumber network in the UK.
With the others also posting large sales annually, finding an affiliated plumber to install and repair your boiler should be simple enough.
Having an affiliated plumber install your boiler means you can extend its warranty.
| Boiler Brand | Standard Warranty | Extended Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester Bosch | Five years | Up to 12 years (for premium models) |
| Vaillant | Five years | Up to 10 years |
| Ideal Boilers | 5-7 years (depending on the model) | Up to 12 years |
| Baxi | 5-7 years (depending on the model) | Up to 10 years |
Brands will stipulate certain conditions so you qualify for these extended warranties.
As an example, Worcester Bosch requires an accredited installer to fit the boiler in your home. Additionally, to qualify for the 12-year extended warranty, a Worcester Bosch system filter must be installed.
A boiler filter traps debris circulating through your system, extending the life of your boiler. Worcester Bosch also mandates annual servicing by a Gas Safe-registered engineer.
Their warranty covers both parts and labour during its validity period. Worcester Bosch is also known for its extensive customer support network.
All the major players offer similar agreements but you must read the fine print in their warranties.
Other brands that aren’t part of the top four boiler brands that offer reliability and are loved by plumbers are Viessmann and Alpha.
| Boiler Brand | Standard Warranty | Extended Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Viessmann | 5 to 10 years (depending on model) | Up to 12 years |
| Alpha | 5-7 years (depending on model) | Up to 13 years |
Viessmann is known for producing premium boilers with loads of new advanced features. Alpha has worked hard to improve its reputation and is now known for creating reliable boilers that are budget-friendly.
The Plumber’s Choice For A Boiler
Most plumbers will recommend buying a combination (combi) boiler which can produce the required kilowatt (kW) power output to heat your water and home.
Combi boilers are lightweight, easy to install compared to other heating solutions, and versatile as they can perform two roles: heating water and your home.
Then, as we mentioned, Worcester Bosch is a brand with a good reputation, warranty, and extensive network of affiliated plumbers making it the most likely top pick for installers.
The model most plumbers will recommend installing is the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 4000 (25kW, 30kW).
It’s affordable, easy to use, compatible with smart devices, and ready to work with hydrogen blend making it future-ready.
The next boiler a plumber may recommend is installing an Alpha E-Tec NX (28kW, 33kW). Despite being budget-friendly, the Alpha E-Tec NX is still a high-quality product.
The final boiler a plumber would recommend is Viessmann Vitodens 050 W (25kW, 30kW). Known for being built to last, these boilers are hydrogen-ready and have stainless steel heat exchangers.
Also, with an energy efficiency rating of 97%, it’s designed to save homeowners money on running costs. And we’ve not even mentioned it is a smart device with Wi-Fi connectivity.
If you agree with UK plumbers and are ready to replace your old boiler, contact us now for a quote.
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