British gas 532 vs Worcester 30si boiler

[Chaard]

I'm getting quotes from hearing specialists for a new combo boiler. Most suggest Worcester but surprise surprise British gas recommend their own brand!

We have good water pressure to the house and the current flow from the hot tap upstairs (one and only bathroom) is about 9L per min.

What would everyone here recommend ? Of course the BG quote is a LOT more but includes a lot of added bits and bobs that we might not really need!

 

[nickso]

BG 532 probably is a Worcester.

 

[45yearsagasman]

It is. Greenstar 30 cdi I think.

 

[rich4nancy]

It's a cdi but bg modified. 32kw and slightly better water flow rate than 30cdi. Is defo made by Worcester

 

[Terry lambert]

Having been a BG installer I can tell you that you may be lucky and get a really good engineer on the day of install or you may not.

Your job has been specified by a salesman, they often miss things or sell you things you don't require because they earn on a percentage of the sale.

I like to know what I amgetting and so would rather pay an independent engineer that I trusted and had checked out through references and would feel more confident knowing that he would be installing it and would be directly responsible.

 

[Chaard]

Thanks terrydoh!

Its good to hear from an ex BG installer that it's not all it seems to be!

I'll be getting some more quotes from local guys I think.

What's reasonable for a days labour fitting a condensing combi?

 

[Terry lambert]

Every quote is a bit different, you may need a gas pipe upgrade etc,.

If your having thermostatic rad valves fitted check that they are liquid sensor as there is a vast difference in price between them and wax capsule

After talking to a few decent engineers you should have a clear specification of what you need and you will be able to see which quote is the better value.

There are short cuts that can be taken and some work to different standards, the cheapest isn't always the best, if you had BG quote I doubt you will find many that expensive though

If you had your heart set on a Worcester they have newly released a slightly more powerful 34 cdi classic to replace the 30 cdi which would give you a bit more hot water, you may need to find this boiler on line as not everyone stocks it yet.

Your incoming cold pressure and flow rate should be measured so that you can see wether a combi is suitable, also I wouldn't consider anyone that didn't carry out these tests. No point in having a combi that will give you 15 ltrs a min if you only have 10 coming in

 

[Chaard]

Well we just need a straight boiler swap. 2 non BG engineers quoted already and both measured and independently suggested the 30si but the 29cdi seems more powerful and surely more efficient as it uses condenser heat on hot water too?! Is that right?

One quote was about 2400 (worcester reccomended installer) and the other was about 1900. BG came in at 3050.

 

[Terry lambert]

I should also add that you won't get the flow rates advertised by Worcester as they are listed at 35 degree temp rise when they have a restrictor in them for a 40 degree temp rise which means

30 cdi listed flow rate at 35 degree temp rise. 13.1 ltrs min

30 cdi actual flow rate with the 40 degree temp restrictor. 11.5 ltrs min

 

[Terry lambert]

The cdi is a better boiler the SI is basically a junior with hot water control.

Personally I like the Vaillant 831 ecotec plus but if a customer wanted Worcester I wouldn't fit a junior or SI if I could help it

I'm in London and £1900 for a 30 cdi or Vaillant 831 straight swap is about right £2400 is pushing your luck in today's climate

The Worcester installer is recommended by them simply because he sells their boilers and has been on a one day course as minimum
( I'm a Worcester installer as well)

At £1900 I would walk away with about a very good days wage on a straight swap

£2400 I have high overheads or I'm very slow or both