Worcester Boiler-heat only-one of the best ? Export quality

[michael1000]

I have looked up all the past threads of best boiler and I see its a long topic. But most recently the Worcester Greenstar seems to have a great reputation. For a heat only, either the 30 or 40 Greenstar model, would any engineers or plumbers put this at the top of their recommended install list.
I am in Australia and my business partner (plumber) is looking at some time next year to importing a condensing heat only boiler to Australia.
Our range is very very limited here, and what is available is very very expensive due to our small market for heat only boilers and the dealer mark up is big.
There is currently only one condensing boiler on the market for heating panels and that is the Baxi 30kw heat only model. That unit is about 2700 pounds not installed. Installed or replacing existing boiler another 400 pounds or so.
Fernox F1 500ml 40 pounds.
I hope that gives an an idea of our prices.
Back to topic.
If you were wanting to Import one heat only boiler, (two heating outputs, say 30 and 40 kw) that you will give the least trouble or reliability with, what would you back your money on ?
The Bosch group behind Worcester is a big company and Bosch standard boilers here are extremely reliable. Hot water only though.
The UK are known for their Boiler range and service. We dont have Engineers as such making boiler house calls, and most general plumbers dont do Heating boilers, so the few plumbers who do specialize charge a lot. Double what a UK specialist would. I have read a few comments that aussie plumbers get are not paid well. not true.
Any suggestions taken on board for a Heating only Boiler, Condensing.
Also the ability to get spare parts quickly/long term if needed as well taken into account. Again Worcester seem very good from what I have read on these forums.
The 2 or 5 year warranty seems debatable but also taken into account.
The units we import need certification, Gas and Electrical and water, hence we wish to get the Boiler choice right.
Appreciate all the advice here.
cheers Michael
note-the boiler range we have here is Ferroli, Sime format, Baxi Luna, and one local that I know off. But only one Condensing boiler, the Baxi, as its not law here to have any standard effeciency rating. we only have one or two models of each as well.

 

[mrgas]

Even the very best boilers go wrong.
You need to consider the availability of spares.

 

[BingoBongo]

doesnt really sound as if there is a market for it there

so im out

i think you may have a hard time selling steamers to the xxxx ausies

this government are brilliant they harp on about global warming and condensing boilers but our very own little jail island can do what they like

and dont get me started on car tax/pollution and the billion asians on those put put scooter things and the yanks and their v8`s

 

[glasgowgas]

every fitter on here will give you a different opinion

but your question should be to manufacturers not fitters!!!!

i could tell you that a strata streamline is the most reliable boiler i have under my control ( for want of a better phrase ) but i have no idea of the manufacturers global position re distribution/spares/warranty/franchise rights/back up.

but there sounds like money to be made
fernox f1 40 quid. FFS.ive got 15 in the shed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[michael1000]

bingobongo, there is a market for the condensor boiler, the reason the uptake is so slow is the price. If we can lower it by a third or more which we think we can do easily, we can move quite a few units. Import tax is only ten percent. Even buying the units retail in the UK we can make a profit.
The cost is to certify the first unit and adjust any instructions locally, but this is not a huge cost. Just need to get the right unit and spares back up. Hopefully a unit offering a longer warranty.
Most boilers for heating are exterior in aussie, usually a case around an internal unit. About 2/3 outside, 1/3 inside.

 

[bengasman]

Not a good idea to import your own boiler.
No spares available.
Nobody will know that particular boiler.
No warrantee as the boiler is not approved for your country.
Quite possibly dangerous and/or illegal as the boiler might not be suitable for local use.

 

[michael1000]

glasgowgas, we will talk to the manufacturers in length re contracts etc, just working out which manufacturers we wish to approach. Seeking advice from a variety of sources, but installers and service personal in our opinion is one of the best ways. We import other products and the manufacturers can tell you their product is great but as you all know this is not often the case.

 

[BingoBongo]

it does sound like a good market to crack and i wish you all the best.

But do you think you will convince the ausie market as it is not law as it is here. (and a very easy law to get around)

I just cant see them buying it out of choice due to the minimal savings and expence

 

[michael1000]

quote-bengasman,re
Not a good idea to import your own boiler.
No spares available.
Nobody will know that particular boiler.
No warrantee as the boiler is not approved for your country.
Quite possibly dangerous and/or illegal as the boiler might not be suitable for local use

warranty will be established when we set up contracts with manufacturer. we already do this with other products. Manufacturers are often keen to spread their word and product.
Approval will be given after we submit the product for local certification.
spares arranged. not to hard, one company does that here for you.
Advertising by us, and manufacturer support we will slowly establish the brand. hence the reason to import.
we are not going to do a backyard imort , it is a long term legal one.

 

[bengasman]

In that case WB would be a good one to join forces with. I have been fitting the CDI series for years and have found them extremely reliable.
WB give a customer service, technical back up and warrantee, second to none. What is impossible for me as an installer to ascertain is whether that is pushed by Bosch headquarters in Germany, or strictly due to WB-UK looking to a major player in this country for the long run.

I have looked at Atag, which seems to be a very good boiler in itself, but has 3 downsides.

Extra large

Extremely expensive.

They work through "selected dealers" who have to sign a ridiculous strangle hold contract where they have to meet a number of conditions whereas Atag-UK seems to have very few obligations.

The first is obviously due to the manufacturers themselves, but the other 2 could be pushed by headquarters, or by the UK branch.

I would not deal with Vailant, and many more installers seem to come to the same conclusions due to the incredibly bad attitude of Vailant UK. A second reason is that they have joined forces with the rather questionable brands Saunier Duvall and Glowworm, and seem to integrate more and more of their money saving ideas.

 

[bengasman]

Oh, and give me a shout if you need someone with extensive Worcester Bosch experience. I am fed up with this government ruining the economy, raising taxes, letting crime go off the scale and dumping ever increasing demands on legal installers whilst doing nothing to stop people who don't work legally.
And the weather is carp too; I'd love to move to Australia.

 

[mickyg]

I thought rinnai were popular in australia? they do a rebranded ATAG boiler, so that might be worth investigating.

 

[Boilerman2]

Best thing to do to a Worcester EXPORT IT TO AUSTRALIA Bravo!

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Worcester boilers do not like soft water as the aluminium rots away. It's an exclusion to the warranty.

I don't know what your water is like?

Don't Vaillant export direct to OZ?

Anything would be better than sime or ferrolli ffs. Worcester support and spares etc are very well organised and very helpfull.

 

[simond]

I think the Worcester 30 and 40 CDi would be a good bet.

Unlike the smaller Worcester gear they are really Junkers products from Bosch Germany so I suspect you might do better starting there.