Viessmann vs. Buderus

S Ebels

Do you have any info on what particular models you are comparing and is the boiler in question oil or gas?

JEREMY MCGEORG

viessmann vs buderus

We are currently replacing our heating system in a 4400 sq ft. home in western massachusetts. We are integrating flat panel radiators in combination with radiant floor heat. Is it worth the additional expense to go with a viessmann over a buderus?? are they the same? Which will be better in the long run?

Please help.

Paul Pollets

It Depends

If your contractor has been trained in both products, Viessmann has more bells and whistles and he should be able to show the difference. It's been said before on this site..."choose the contactor, not the products"...Better contractors tend to use better products.

If you're burning oil, and not nat gas, sizing for a condensing load for the wall panel radiator design, won't matter as much.

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Brad White_91

It depends....

Each boiler is excellent and has their adherants, supporters and occassionally, detractors. What I wrote in reply probably will not make your decision any easier, but here goes:

The key is who will install it and stand behind it, not only as a product but as a system....

Personally from what I have seen (and depending on fuel you have),if you use natural gas, the Viessmann Vitodens stands in a class by itself both in fit, finish, materials and controls. Buderus has comparable products which I am not so intimately familiar with but I would not complain having either serving my home.

Both brands have lines that handle oil well, (if that is what you have for available fuel) both are German engineered by long-standing companies with excellent reptutations.... so much you must know.

I would get good, solid quotes (based on detailed heat losses regardless of what boiler of any stripe is being considered. Base your decision on total value, not just price. Hard to explain but you will know it when you see it.

The practitioner that offers some extra insight and features (what I call "cheap wow", those short money/high value features that stand out) should get extra points.

Strive for value.

Ted_9

2 Cents

Its really depends on the system requirements. Some engineering and system design will show you what's needed.

Some examples.

If your using oil and have low water temp requirements, maybe a Vitola.

If you go with gas and low water temps you may go the condensing boiler option.

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joel_19

Price

it is very hard to compare the price of these 2 products and the merits of each as there are a myriad of different controll and burner options . viessmann has 3 different residential oil boilers all with various burner and controll options.

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Constantin

With the installation of a new heating system...

... I would always first look for the best contractor to install and maintain the unit. Being a trained installer is not a requirement, but it helps move the install along and to exploit all the bells and whistles built into either line of equipment. Actual installation experience is even more valuable, as you can imagine.

If the home is well insulated and can take advantage of low water temperatures, either a condensing gas boiler or a low-temp oil boiler make a lot of sense. Once allowable sulfur levels drop in oil supplies, perhaps more condensing oil boilers will be installed.

If you go with gas heat, I presume you'll pursue a condensing boiler. Both Buderus and Viessmann produce great units with a couple of differences that may or may not make any difference to you.

• the Vitodens features a thick 316Ti Stainless heat exchanger, while the GB142 has a cast Al block. Either will work well in the right water conditions, though I wager that the Stainless HX will be a bit more resistant to off-spec water conditions.
  
• The Viessmann Vitodens offers full outdoor reset, something that is coming to the GB142 line later this year, I hear. OR is well worth having.
  
• IIRC, the Buderus gives you a bit more flexibility when it comes to installing the venting. The concentric vent that Viessmann uses is limited to 20 ft, IIRC, with longer vents a possibility if you draw your combustion air from the home, not the outside.
  
• Either is relatively quick to install and maintain, though I think the Vitodens does have a slight edge when it comes to speed of annual maintenance.
  
• The list goes on, but many homeowners don't care or notice because they're simply warm and happy.

On the oil-side, a low-temp boiler like a Vitola or a G115 are your best bet. The Vitola can handle lower return water temperatures than the G115, which will help efficiency somewhat. Either boiler has some very nifty control options. The Viessmann probably has more integrated expansion options like multiple 4-way valve control, integration with solar systems, flue gas temp sensing, etc. but whether you need them or not is another question.

I chose my Vitola on the basis of low-temp, oil-fired operation and the flue gas sensor and I have been happy ever since. Maintaining the unit is a dream.

scott inM.E.

basement decor...

do you prefer deep blue or silver with orange trim. They both have great cover panels and showroom look's.