Vaillant or Worcester for reliability?

[mike_s]

I thought I'd post here so I only get experienced opinions.
I've installed hundereds of Worcester Greenstars, I do offer Main as a cheaper option but in a few weeks I'm doing my first Vaillant ecotec pro as customer insisted on Vaillant.

I'll be registering as an installer and going on a Vaillant course in the mean time.

Just wondering if there are any common problems with the Vaillants or what the reliability of the ecotecs are like (since the original burner gasket problem).

As for Worcesters I'm very happy with them especially being able to offer 7 year guarantee's but I have never been to a faulty ecotec (albeit only a couple of faulty Greenstars) and the old vaillants seemed to age better than the Worcesters (apart from 24i and 28i, classics)

I strip down a lot of Worcester Greenstars too which can be a little awkward as well as having to replace the gaskets but this seems to be the case with most A rated boilers. How do the Vaillants compare stripping down?

I think I will start advertising as both Worcester and Vaillant registered installer as Vaillants are popular with some customers although if a customer insists on a boiler it is usually Worcester.

 

[dave1]

Vaillants are a doddle to strip down, I don't like Worcesters mainly the greenstars but that's my personal opinion.
Ive worked on loads of vaillants and that's most likely why I prefer them.

 

[mike_s]

Cheers, helpful. Is there a burner gasket that needs replacing when stripping down? I'll find out on the course anyway. Worcester Greenstars are awkward but I like how they are always in good condition if serviced regulary. I.e no random leaks after a few years on thermisters etc or noise problems which I get on Mains and I've replaced a few parts on Baxi duotecs so they arn't popular with me either.

I do believe from my experience that Worcester and Vaillant build quality are a cut above the rest but I'm feeling Vaillant may edge it if they arn't so awkward to strip down. I think there are more Worcesters fitted around here especially by us hence having worked on more faulty Worcesters.

I do like the fan pressure check feature of the Worcesters which indicate if it needs a full strip down although I do them after a few years regardless of fan pressure.

To clean out the Worcester Greenstars properly you need to give it a quick blast with a hosepipe in the heat exchanger with the burner and condensate trap removed, catching water into a bowl underneath. A Pain to do but there is no other way to clean properly as their service kits can't reach it all, they even reccomend pouring a cup of water down the heat ex but that doesn't help much.

 

[AWheating]

there are a couple of vailant vids on youtube i think which show you some striping down.

 

[CES]

One of the most important tips for fitting a Vaillant is make sure the system is clean. If you use X800 when flushing, make sure its well rinsed out the system. You can get F75 faults (pump or water pressure sensor) quite easily, they are not quite as "forgiving" as some other boilers.
I prefer Vaillants myself, get on their advance points scheme and I think they offer free training days every now and again.

 

[mike_s]

cheers, yep the rep is sorting out a training day for me. I usually use x800 on dirty systems and leave in working system for a few days up to a week if possible before the job or if it isn't bad then F3 once installed for a hot flush then drain down the next day and top up with inhibitor.

 

[moogwai]

phone your local vaillant rep an he'll get you on the ecotec course foc. i prefer vaillant to.....purely cos i don't like all the plastic in the worcester's.

 

[mike_s]

Only problem with Vaillant is they don't offer a 7 year guarantee as Worcester do as well as the Worcester brand probably being better known to the customer, I feel it is often a deal clincher.

But if I start to believe after a few years of fittings some ecotecs that they're better then that is what I will sell of course.

 

[mike_s]

Just read through the ecotec pro servicing instructions. When stripping down heat ex (if it needs it) It says the seal should be replaced each tome. Is this the small round one that sits directly on the burner or the larger ring before that, or both?

 

[dave1]

Both come together in the same kit, and sit in the groove on the back of the burner door.
I don't do installs, but just wondering why you guys would want to push a boiler with a 7 year warranty over a boiler with a 3-4 year warranty. Surely you want to be getting the breakdowns back of the appliance rather then going straight to manufacturers? Probably a logical awnser here but I'm missing it lol.

 

[zeebeedee]

The housing association I work for is starting to move away from worcester 28i's because of the amount of breakdowns we get on them!

 

[stevetheplumber]

i feel all boilers have become over complicated and therefore prone to faults add the cost cutting plastic components and im pretty sure weve seen the last of the 20 year life spans we used to get plus the replacement of parts over its life span means the new gen boilers are actually no greener than an ideal mexico bf

 

[mfgs]

I find worcesters more reliable, had very few problems with them and have fitted alot. Vaillants are easier to work on though when they go wrong, which they will.

 

[mike_s]

good replies, To answer dave1's question, the 7 year warranty although not ideal for us it can mean the difference between getting the job or not. Today I did a quote for someone who only uses their combi for washing up, electric shower and no baths. Phone my 2 suppliers and the worcester 24i junior was cheaper with both merchants which surprised me. I was pricing them up with plug in programmers and rf roomstats though as I love the Worcester DT20 rf's and so do the customer, so easy to use and versatile.

Anyway I will continue to mention both Worcester and Vaillant on my quotes and unless they feel better with Vaillant as some do, then I'll probably go for the Worcester.

I have 5 definite boilers lined up to install, 4 Worcesters and 1 Vaillant. I can see me doing more Vaillants after this if they are easier to work on. Although I feel I've mastered the Worcester strip downs now.

 

[woodsy]

I think when you open up the Vaillant you will feel that it has been designed by a hands on breakdown engineer - laid out brilliantly- personally not a fan of the plastic Worcesters

 

[moony]

You must be accredited to get 7 yr warranty? How many do you have to install to get accredited?

 

[willing2learn]

I went on the Worcester Factory Tour yesterday, really enjoyed it. We got to have a look at their new boiler that's due out soon, the CDI compact, which sits under the cdi but above the si. A hell of a lot easier to work on. Apparantley they reckon the Junior will become obsolete.

The Worcester brand is so strong, which obviously does them wonders in the market place.

 

[mike_s]

The Worcester name can do a lot for getting you the job. I always ask my customers if they have any make of boiler in mind before I start mentioning others. Usually they say they've heard Worcester or Vaillant are good, sometimes they seem very favourable to one or the other so thats all I'll mention.

 

[andyg0507]

once your registered with vaillant and on there accredited installer scheme you can offer three year warrantys on the pro's and five on the plus and exclusives, there new boilers are a top notch and really easy to work on/set up.

 

[Backboiler]

once your registered with vaillant and on there accredited installer scheme you can offer three year warrantys on the pro's and five on the plus and exclusives, there new boilers are a top notch and really easy to work on/set up.

I'll second that