Does anyone have recent experience of Alpha NX boilers?

[Addlepate]

Hi all,

Looking to replace a Worcester Bosch combi. We'd thought Worcester Bosch again, or Vaillant, but a local installer who was recommended to us, and seems sensible, has suggested an Alpha NX.

The fitted price seems reasonable, but I wondered if anyone here had recent experience of Alpha boilers, particularly reliability; there are a lot of discussions here and elsewhere saying they're not that good, but they all seem to be from 10 - 20 years and a couple of design generations ago, and I'm not seeing a lot about the current range.

Appreciate there might be discussion in Combustion Chamber, but I don't have access there.

Thanks

 

[Stuckinarut]

@ianmcd and @Paul Barker might know about these, not sure about anyone else, myself included.

 

[Paul Barker]

I used to be their repair man in 2004/5 so I know nothing about new model Alphas. But I can say the company is really a Marketing name. They buy boilers and brand the . Their customer service is second to none, and they also see the installer as the salesman. You buy the boiler the installer recommends, so Alpha, a marketing company see the installer as their customer. I can definately say that Alpha installers are very good people in the industry, and they also see Alpha philosophy passes through the engineer to you the final customer. I would always support the installer and never quibble. If he rang me I was their as soon as possible and I always supported him 100%. One of the installers I looked after in York was an ex bg installer, you could spot his installs as soon as you saw the job. I used to say to the customer “Paddy fitted this.” Yes she would say “How did you know?” … The quality of his work is second to non. It was true but at the same time I wasnt exaggerating. Guys that perfect are rare these days.

I I can say if youre installer is installing a lot of Alphas, you are in good hands and he will be supported.

 

[Addlepate]

Thanks @Paul Barker for the prompt reply, that's really helpful; I think the repairer experience is very relevant. And thanks @Stuckinarut for chipping in.

We found the prospective installer through a colleague of my partner's, who she says would not use idiots. We need to build a relationship with a new installer / servicer as our previous guy has retired. The installer himself seems very sensible, didn't seem salesy, came across as competent and thoughtful, and spoke to me as an equal which I like - I'm technical and get fed up with being patronised by some trades! He took us through his recent jobs - a lot of them, all Alpha, and he has one himself. He also has consistent 5* reviews online. Quote is £2600 inc VAT which is less than or about the same as we were quoted three years ago for WB, Vaillant etc., and comparable with the lower end of Boxt pricing (Navien) now.

I had been inclined to go WB again, given our current one's given 28 years' service, but I'm hearing and seeing a lot of comments saying WB aren't what they were. From what I can see, Alpha use reputable components - Grundfos pump, Honeywell gas valves etc. They use stainless heat exchangers and seem to use a lot of metal rather than plastic components, though their technical info is a bit confusing, talking about a "Stainless steel heat exchanger moulded in thermoplastic"! I guess they mean the primary exchanger is housed in a plastic case. The air supply pipe inside the case is plastic. 7 year standard warranty (not the longest but not the shortest either), Opentherm compatible.

https://alpha-heating.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/27114330/E-Tec-NX-combi-cr.pdf

I'd like to understand the controller / thermostat he's proposing, but otherwise I'm inclined to go for it.

Partner is inclined to just go for it, I'm a worrier and lot more cautious about these things!

 

[ianmcd]

Alpha do not actually make boilers , they are made by Immegas in Italy, the new range is very impressive, far better than the other boilers you mentioned

 

[Addlepate]

@ianmcd thanks - that's really helpful and confirms it in my mind. Thanks for the prompt response.