Finding the right boiler can be a headache so we have rounded up all the worst boilers on the market right now so you know which ones to avoid and why!
Investing in a new boiler is an expensive decision that will last for the lifetime of the boiler. As more than 90% of consumers check online reviews before they buy, we thought it would be helpful to round up the worst boilers of 2022 so that you know what to avoid! Take a look now!
The Worst Boiler – Poor Value for Money
We’ve all been in a position where we have searched for the cheapest deal only to find out that it was a huge let-down, leaving us wishing we’d been willing to spend a little extra. The same is true for boilers – price should always be a big consideration, but it should never be the only consideration. Take a look at the typical boiler price ranges below to get an idea of cost and brand selection:
| Boiler Range | Average Price Range | Common Brands at this Price |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £400 – £550 | Vokera, Ferroli & Heatline |
| Mid-Range | £550 – £900 | Vaillant, Alpha & Viessmann |
| Premium Range | £900+ | Worcester & Bosch |
Whilst the brands listed commonly provide boilers in the range we have suggested, it is worth noting that they will also have boilers that span other categories too. The boiler you select will need to be the right size for your home, your heating and hot water needs and your budget, so take the time to look at all the options and use price as one part of your decision process.
Worst Priced Option – the Ferroli HE 27C
The Ferroli HE 27C is an enticing purchase, coming in at just under the £400 mark. The problem is that while it is cheap, it is reported to be one of the faultiest boilers on the market, costing consumers hundreds more in callout fees and repairs. The main reason for the problems with this boiler is purely down to the cheap parts used to make it. Interestingly, it only comes with a one year warranty, letting you know that this is not a boiler that is going to last the test of time.
The Worst Boiler – Lowest Review Rating
There is little doubt that a consumer that has had a bad experience is far more likely to leave an online review than one that is pleased with their purchase. However, even if online reviews can be skewed, there is often a lot of valuable information that can be gleaned from them, especially when you see the same issues being shared over and over again.
Before you start to search for online reviews, it is important to look for ones that have been appropriately verified. Trustpilot is a well-respected source for these reviews as they are independent of the company and only ask verified purchasers to share their feedback.
Once you have found a trustworthy source for your online review research, start by looking at the overall score rather than just looking at the best and worst information. With that in mind, it is then a good idea to start reading the reviews, looking for common themes.
In terms of the worst boilers, many consumers will all have the same story to tell and so you will find that the reviews will feel repetitive. It is these consistent complaints that will take you to the heart of what is wrong with a specific boiler, allowing you to avoid purchasing or feeling fully informed before you decide to proceed.
Another great source for reliable information is the Which? Annual boiler survey that looks at the main boilers for sale and analyses the satisfaction ratings from both consumers and engineers. The full results are behind a subscription paywall, but there is a lot of information that you can access for free that will help you make your decision.
Worst Boiler by Rating – Ferroli
When it comes to selecting the worst boiler by overall rating, Ferroli consistently scored poorly in verified ratings on Trustpilot and on the Which? Boiler guide. Consumers state that they are unhappy with these brands because their boilers are often unreliable, faulty, and expensive to keep repairing. Engineers also find it hard to source the parts needed to complete repairs. The short warranty life is also an issue for consumers. Rated just 2 out of 5 for consumer satisfaction and 1 out of 5 for engineer confidence, it’s clear that this brand has some work to do to regain public trust.
The Worst Boiler – Understanding Manufacturer’s Warranty
Aside from poor reviews and poor pricing, there are other factors that you should think about before buying a new boiler. Warranties are a great way of working out how confident a manufacturer is about their product, as the longer the warranty, the more confident they are that you will experience few or no problems.
Some of the better-known brands such as Bosch offer up to ten years of warranty whereas other brands can be as little as one year. It is important to take the time to find out exactly what the warranty covers so that you don’t end up with a huge, unexpected bill when your boiler stops working properly.
Some warranties cover call-out and repairs or replacement when needed, other warranties just offer the call out service but do not promise to fix it if a fault is found. The warranty information is usually defined in the small print, so take your time to check what each boiler comes with and remember that even if you are looking at two different boilers made by the same company, there is always a chance that the warranty will be different.
Worst Warranty Option – The Vokera Compact 25
Vokera has struggled with its reputation over the years, with many consumers citing frequent boiler failures and expensive repairs as their biggest issues. This is no different with the Compact 25, a budget boiler from Vokera that comes with 12 months of warranty, leaving consumers concerned that their purchase will become defunct in little over a year. Savvy consumers will always choose a brand that offers a long warranty (between 5- 12 years), sadly this takes all the Vokera models out of the selection.
The Worst Boiler – Understanding Energy Efficiency
Our final overview is the worst boiler for energy efficiency. However, you may be pleased to know that there is not one boiler that fares worse than any other in this category! You may be wondering why this is and the answer is straightforward.
In 2018, new legislation came into force that meant all boiler manufacturers had to produce boilers that were no less than 92% energy efficient. This means that the ErP label on a boiler would make all new boilers ‘A Rated’. This is great news when you are concerned about the environmental impact of your boiler, but it does also mean that there is no new boiler that we can score as the worst for energy efficiency.
How We Compiled Our Worst Boiler List
Now you know the boilers you should be avoiding; you are sure to want to know how we came to our decision! To ensure the accuracy of our ratings, we used a wide range of metrics to help us rank-order the boilers that are currently on sale. Some of these metrics include:
- Online reviews via Trustpilot
- Manufacturer information, including warranty lifespans
- Reputable ‘Best Buy’ award information
- Energy efficiency ratings
- Price tags
- And much more
The reason we looked at so many different sources is so that you can be fully confident that our worst rated boilers are the very worst on offer! We also would never want to label a boiler as the worst without a range of evidence, meaning that you really can put your trust in the information we have shared.
How to Avoid Buying the Worst Boiler in 2022
If you are keen to avoid wasting your money on a boiler that you cannot trust, then use these key takeaways to help you on the path to success:
- Know what you need – in terms of size and output as cheaper can mean poor results for your property.
- Be realistic about budget – the cheapest is not always the best but spending more than you need should also be avoided.
- Shop around – there are many great boiler manufacturers, check them all out
- Read reliable reviews – always look for verified reviews to get accurate information
- Get a range of quotes – whittle your list down to three or four boilers and then get personalised quotes
- Check the warranty – read the small print to find out what the warranty covers
Whether you are ready to get a quote or want to find out more about a particular brand, Boilers Prices is here for you. We search the market for all the best boilers and help you to get the best deal for your needs – check us out today!