Condensing boilers

Constantin

... to spread overhead costs across. Europe has about the same population, smaller size than the US, yet is 99% hydronic heat. The US is only 7% hydronic, IIRC, and many installers face steep learning curves as they begin to put in their first couple of hydronic systems.

Also, I was quite surprised to see list prices for appliances like the Vitodens being discussed in magazines.

I doubt warranty costs have a huge impact beyond the first couple of years when equipment failure or install issues are most likely to rear their heads. Just look at the prices for which you can buy add-on warranties in the consumer electronic or the car business. Perhaps the greater number of EU installers that do nothing but hydronic work also ensures higher consistency, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Adam_12

How come prices for condensing boilers are twice the cost in North America than they are in the UK?.Check out the prices of Baxi Products in the UK and what they are priced in North America.

[Deleted User]

Shipping and handling...

In Europe, a contractor typically deals direct with the factory. No middle men.

In the good ol' enterprise known as the USA, theres are numerous layers between us and the manufacturer. It goes from the manufacturer to the representative agency, from them to the wholesale distributor and finally to us, the contractor and eventually to the end consumer. Each stop along the way costs money to the end user.

The reason it is done this way is to provide a wide range of product support and stocking. Who knows, maybe some day it will be this way in the USA, but for the time being, the chain has served me well.

ME

nb_4

way overpriced

Everyone taking their cut; a little too much if you ask me, especially given the cost of gas at over two dollars a therm in some parts of the north east. Those that are concerned about energy use and the enviroment end up being penalized. In the the UK by the way, the service and back up is generally considered very good with regard to heating products.

[Deleted User]

Thats because...

Back up service is provided by the manufacturer. Who do you suppose is footing the bill for that?

ME

Guy_6

Also

Also, many of those products are manufactured in Europe, and are therefore subject to shipping and import tarrifs. Even the US made products are comprised of some European parts that are subject to similar tarrifs.
Add to that the fact that this is emerging technology here, and voila, greater cost. Some times you have to pay more to get more, and with these appliances, you will get what you pay for. Fuel savings.

Somethiing Else

Prices in Europe

Something else to consider, is that warranties in Europe are only a year or two.

This could also help keep long term costs down

coreys

Not just freight or long suppy lines.
The volume is just not there.
As they become more mainstream, prices will fall, as with anything else. Plus, the competition is heating up (so to speak).

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Not just freight, long supply lines and low volume.

The US is large and has extreme differences in climate.

Minnesota vs Alabama might as well be different worlds. Here in Swampeast MO only the unusual is normal.

Rodney Summers

Wall hung boilers

are a commodity appliance item in Europe like a frig or washing machine. Much competition so lower prices.

Doug_33

The wheels of progress sure turn slowly here in the Northeast. When it comes to condensing boilers, ours, which went in at the turn of the century, is still a curiosity to most neighbors of ours. Even as they pay top dollar for corian and granite, flat panels and laptops, folks keep getting talked out of upgrades to condensing boilers by tradespeople with "sky is falling" tales of unobtainable parts, unfamiliar suppliers, etc., etc. It's no wonder that you guys have such trouble getting homeowners to pony up for the latest technology when so many of your colleagues bad-mouth anything beyond what was readily available in 1980. I think that more direct-to-consumer advertising about these boilers is part of the answer. In the meantime, thanks to all of you for being on the leading edge and trying to lead all of us to better systems solutions in the New Year.