Old vs New.

[Garry Russell]

My eyesight is poor enough without trying to use these new energy saving bulbs..the light is of poor quality

Fortunately I was able to buy up a stock of the old type and that's what I use still...

I did have some of the energy savers but they went straight out when I got hold of the older type.

[alemaobaiano]

It's not just domestic gear either....

We use cameras from a US company (*) on some of our security projects and their older models are built like tanks (literally, we have one on display that took a 9mm during a robbery, and still works!!!). When they come in for maintenance our guys change the PSU board and drive belts, wipe them down and away they go to give another 10 years of service. By comparison the new stuff is cheap crap, flexible PCBs, low quality components, and plastic so soft it melts in sunlight.

The difference? The old stuff was "Made in the USA", the new crap is "Designed in the USA"

TTFN

(*) Name omitted to protect my continued supply of beer tokens

[Defender]

I'm waiting for someone to make a CH boiler that works. Until then I'm happy to live with our reliable 45 year old Potterton.
I'll be happy to change it for something more compact but everyone I know seems to have regular problems with the modern "improved" ones.

Bill

[speedbird591]

Hi Bill. I've recently had a new boiler fitted by British Gas. They gave me a fantastic deal and were super-friendly and efficient all the way through.

I chose the latest super-efficient condenser boiler from Vaillant as it came out at the top of the Best Buys and reliability charts from Which? Here is the brand reliability chart from the Which? website and they have also thoroughly tested dozens of individual boilers so if you want to know about a specific one let me know.

Boiler Brand Reliability:
Worcester-Bosch 5 stars 75%
Vaillant 5 stars 75%
Potterton 3 stars 71%
Glow-worm 3 stars 71%
British Gas 3 stars 71%
Ideal 3 stars 69%
Baxi 2 stars 67%

Ian

[TSR2]

These ratings sometimes throw up funnies, I believe Baxi and Potterton have been the same company for years

[Defender]

Thanks for that advice Ian. My brother in law just recommended Valliant too.

I take it 75% is quite a high rating by "Which?" standards? Replacement is still very much a medium term project as it will involve quite a lot of reconstruction in the kitchen/utility area.

Thanks again.

Bill

[speedbird591]

I take it 75% is quite a high rating by "Which?" standards? Replacement is still very much a medium term project as it will involve quite a lot of reconstruction in the kitchen/utility area.

Hi Bill. These ratings are purely based on the reliability of the brands. The ratings of the individual boilers are based on efficiency and price as well as reliability and they go up to 79%. Nothing goes much above 80% on Which? tests as they are very thorough. The actual score doesn't matter as much as the comparison to the other items on test. If the best gadget scores the highest mark it's still the best of the bunch regardless of what the mark is. If you see what I mean.

BTW These condensing boilers are very compact so may not take up any more space than your old boiler. Also remember that the water is heated instantly as it comes from the mains pipe so you can do away with the water cylinder. Likewise you can do away with the tank in the loft - they don't need a reservoir. There's just one pipe to the outside which acts as inlet and exhaust but it does need a drain pipe to allow the condensed water to drain out. Compared to the same time last year I've been using 40% less gas. I know the autumn's been milder but the boiler does have the top efficiency rating so must be contributing quite a bit towards that. With a few discounts and offers included, it cost me a total of £2,500 fitted and took a day and a half.

Hope that helps.

Ian

[DaveB]

It would be difficult to imagine any of the new condensing boilers coming close to the size of the older types. They're much more compact and a great deal more efficient It's odd seeing steam coming out of the external vent/exhaust sometimes but that's all you'll notice. The one I have for the B&B rooms at the pub is also incredibly quiet I have an old Glow Worm in the main pub building and it must be twice the size of the new boiler for a very similar output.

ATB
DaveB