As the weather turns colder, more demand is placed on our boilers, and we’re more likely to suffer breakdowns. But does the brand of boiler you have really make a difference to how reliable it is? Can paying more for a quality boiler save you money in the long term?
The answer to both those questions, it seems, is yes. According to a recent study carried out by Which? choosing a good-quality central heating boiler could save you as much as £200 over the life of the appliance. Based on the real-world experiences of more than 10,000 Which? members, plus the views of professional heating engineers who install and maintain boilers, the results deliver a uniquely detailed picture of the UK boiler market. The survey covers not just reliability – it also looks at parts availability and ease of servicing and at how likely people would be to recommend each brand to their friends and family.
Leading Brand
Top of the leader board for both oil- and gas-fired types was a Worcester Bosch boiler. Loved by customers and tradesmen alike, around three-quarters of people in the survey would recommend this type of boiler to a friend. According to heating engineers, the build quality of the boilers is good and parts are readily available should something go wrong. They’re easier to fix faults on than some other brands too.
In addition, Worcester Bosch back their boilers with a long warranty. You can extend the warranty further by ensuring that you have the boiler fitted by one of the company’s accredited installers; this can give you up to double the warranty period on new boilers.
Choosing a New Boiler
If you’re looking for a boiler replacement, it’s important to make the right choice. You’ll be spending a lot of money, and your choice will be with you for a long time. As we’ve seen, selecting a quality brand can mean you’ll see significant savings on repairs over the life of the boiler.
There are other factors to take into account too. For example, features like smart operation – allowing you to control your boiler remotely from your phone – may be important to your decision-making process. If you’re fitting a new boiler to an existing system, you need to discuss all of the options with your heating engineer to make sure you’re getting the right unit for the job.
Buying a Worcester Bosch boiler may cost you more in the short term, but it will repay you in the future with greater reliability. Make sure you use an accredited installer and you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from having a long warranty to protect your investment too.