Need help choosing a new Mod Con gas fired boiler

Chevy57

I need help making a decision on brand of boiler. I was hearing all great things about the Bosch boilers and thought I had made a decision on the ZBR 28-3 but then I read that they are aluminum heat exchangers which is what is failing on my old dunkirk after 18 years. So why is a bosch aluminum, heat exchanger ok and Dunkirk not ok? This sent me down a rabbit hole and I found Navien boilers. Available locally in stock. similar price point to Bosch. They advertise a very impressive turn down ratio and have stainless steel fire tube heat exchangers. Stainless sounds good, fire tube technology has been around since early 1800s so probably apples to oranges to compare Bosch and Navien. Navien seems to have a great reputation for on demand water heaters but I'm not looking for a combi unit as I have a side arm. Help I'm way overthinking this.

Hot_water_fan

Ha! Plenty of people here would be happy with a modcon lasting 18 years, they'd claim that'd never happen. All depends on your perspective I suppose.

Chevy57

hot water fan,
I agree. no complaints from me it owes me nothing. I would buy the exact same make and model but it was discontinued 2 years ago and I can't find any.

GGross

Here are the brands I would be comfortable having in my own home.
Viessmann, Triangle Tube (instinct or prestige), IBC(sl or vx), Lochinvar

The most important thing is to choose a qualified installer that you want to work with, you install the brand they recommend and deal with the most.

hot_rod

I think water quality has a lot to do with HX life. Treat the water to the manufacturers spec, or better.

Combustion adjusting also, every time it is serviced.

This assumes it is piped and pumped appropriately also. Lochinvar has been my best performing and long lasting brand. I like the control features on the Knights.

GroundUp

X3 on the Lochinvar products. The fit and finish isn't the best (door clips are kind of janky, etc) but the controls and accessibility easily make up for that in my opinion. IBC would be my next choice, then NTI or Burnham tied for 3rd. TT and Viessmann tied for 4th. Navien at or near the bottom.

kcopp

I really like IBC. I have one in my home.
Look at the VX .
Control is really slick

mattmia2

HTP, Lockinvar, Viessman. Some of them have multiple DH calls on the boiler and can produce lower temps depending on the call which can be a convenient feature in some installations.

MarkC

Hot_water_fan said:

Ha! Plenty of people here would be happy with a modcon lasting 18 years, they'd claim that'd never happen. All depends on your perspective I suppose.

I got about 17.5 yrs from an HTP 80M.

Mad Dog_2

Viessman Vitodens..very affordable these days..unparalleled qaulity & Warranties. Mad Dog 🐕