In short
It depends on your budget and your setup: whether you need a combi, system or regular boiler, your mains flow rate and how many bathrooms you have. Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Ideal all make good options. Compare warranty length and conditions, and always make sure the quotes you compare are like-for-like.
Why is there no single best boiler?
We get asked this more than almost anything else, and the honest answer is that the right boiler for your neighbour may be the wrong one for you. The badge on the front matters less than whether the boiler suits your home, is sized properly and is fitted well. A mid-range boiler that is correctly sized, installed to the manufacturer's instructions and serviced every year will usually serve you better than a premium model that is oversized or badly fitted.
What should decide which boiler I get?
Your budget
Every major brand makes boilers at different price points. Set a budget for the whole job, not just the boiler, because the controls, filter, system clean, flue and any pipework changes are part of the price.
Your setup: combi, system or regular?
- Combi: heats water on demand from the mains, with no cylinder. Suits most flats and homes with one bathroom.
- System: heats a hot water cylinder, often at mains pressure. Suits homes where two showers run at once.
- Regular (heat-only): works with a cylinder and tanks in the loft. Common in older homes, and sometimes right where mains pressure is low.
Our combi vs system boiler guide goes into this in more detail.
Your flow rate and number of bathrooms
A combi can only deliver as much hot water as your incoming mains allows. If the mains flow is poor, a bigger combi will not fix it. Your engineer should measure the flow rate during the survey, and count the bathrooms and how they are used, before recommending anything. See what size boiler do I need?
Which brands should I look at?
Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Ideal all have options across the price range, and so do other established makers. We install Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Ideal and Viessmann, and repair all brands. Rather than chasing a brand, compare the specific models you are being offered: output, hot water flow, size, controls and the warranty that comes with that model.
How should I compare warranties?
Look at the length and at the conditions. Most manufacturer warranties depend on the boiler being registered after installation and serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Some ask for a magnetic filter or a particular installer scheme. A long warranty with conditions you will not keep is worth less than it looks. Our boiler warranty guide explains what is usually covered.
Why do engineers recommend certain brands?
Many engineers are familiar with certain products, so they feel more comfortable fitting them. That is not a bad thing: an engineer who knows a boiler well tends to install it well and can get parts quickly. Just ask why they are recommending it, and whether another brand would suit your home equally well.
How do I compare quotes fairly?
Always make sure you are getting a like-for-like quote when comparing. Two prices for "a new combi" can cover very different work. Check the model and output, the warranty, the system clean, filter and inhibitor, the controls, the flue, any pipework changes and the removal of the old boiler. Our checklist for comparing boiler quotes lists what to look for, and our boiler installation cost guide covers prices.
What CombiCert would check
On a visit we look at your existing boiler and flue, the hot-water demand, radiator sizes, system water quality and where a new flue can terminate. From that we suggest suitable Baxi, Worcester Bosch or Ideal options that fit the property and budget, with the warranty terms written into the quote. Estimates are subject to a site inspection; new boilers start from £1,750 inc VAT for a basic like-for-like job.
When to call a Gas Safe engineer
Choosing a boiler is your decision, but fitting one is not a DIY job. A boiler must be installed and commissioned by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the work notified under the Building Regulations. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card and check it covers gas boilers.
How engineers usually compare boilers
There is no single “best” boiler for every home. When customers ask us to choose, we walk through the same checks:
- System type: combi, system or regular, based on bathrooms, flow rate and whether you keep a cylinder.
- Output: sized to the radiators and hot-water demand, not the biggest model in the brochure.
- Warranty: length and the conditions (annual service, magnetic filter, registration). A long warranty only helps if you keep to those conditions.
- Parts and familiarity: engineers are often more comfortable fitting and servicing brands they know well locally, which can matter for future repairs.
- Like-for-like quotes: same boiler type, flue route, controls, flush and filter, so you compare the same job, not a cheap headline against a fuller package.
Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Ideal all have solid domestic options. We install those brands and Viessmann where the job suits. For local price ranges see the boiler installation cost guide and how to compare boiler quotes. New boilers start from £1,750 inc VAT for a straightforward like-for-like fit, subject to a site inspection.
Need a hand? CombiCert in Telford
CombiCert Ltd is a Gas Safe registered (621146) gas and heating company based at The Old School House, Park Lane, Telford TF3 4TG, working across Telford and Shropshire for homes and businesses. We are open Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 19:45 (closed Sunday).
New boilers from £1,750 inc VAT for a basic like-for-like installation, subject to a site inspection. Most quotes are higher; filters, flushes, thermostats and moving the boiler are paid extras.
See New boiler installation in Telford, or call or WhatsApp 07393 220694, or email hello@combicert.co.uk.
We cover Telford and nearby, including Wellington, Madeley, Dawley, Oakengates, Shifnal, Newport, Ironbridge and Shrewsbury.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Which boiler brand is the most reliable?
Reliability depends more on the model, correct sizing, installation quality and annual servicing than on the badge. Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Ideal all make dependable boilers. A boiler fitted to the manufacturer's instructions, on a clean system with a filter and serviced every year, is the one most likely to keep running without trouble.
Is a more expensive boiler always better?
No. A higher price can buy a longer warranty, better controls or a higher-spec heat exchanger, but it will not make up for a boiler that is the wrong type or size for your home. Decide on the type and output first, then compare models in your budget, warranty terms included.
Should I just get the same boiler I have now?
Not automatically. If your current boiler has served you well and your household has not changed, a similar type and output may be sensible. But needs change: more bathrooms, a loft conversion or a cylinder you no longer want. Ask your engineer to check flow rate and heat demand rather than copying the old boiler.
Which boilers does CombiCert install?
We install Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Ideal and Viessmann boilers across Telford and Shropshire, and we repair all major brands. New boilers start from £1,750 inc VAT for a basic like-for-like installation, subject to a site inspection. We will explain which models suit your home and why, so you can compare quotes.
This answer is general information, not a substitute for an on-site assessment by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999.