GB142 Buderus

The aluminium will usually require more maintenance, but the GB142 is very easy to access. It's basically tooless.

As far as durability goes, that boiler has around for over 30 years in Europe and has a good track record. About 80% of mod/con's now sold over there have aluminium heat exchangers.

The fire tube S.S. heat exchanger now used in many models over here has become the favorite of many of the pros here.

The helix coil HX used in ECR's Utica and Dunkirk brands has shown good results in the five years its been out.

I've installed and serviced all three types for years now and have confidence in all of them if installed and maintained correctly.

I do not care for any model that use a Gianonni HX. They will go quickly if not maintained properly. In Europe, where yearly maintenance is mandated by law, they do okay; in the US, where most folks won't call a tech until its broken, there have been a lot of failures.

What kind of loads are you looking at , high and low end ? GB142 is tried and true and you can probably change out anything in there in less than an hour , tool less is a good description . If you want great quality and save your family member some scratch take a look at HTP UFT boiler being discussed here in the gas heating or main wall sections . In advance , HTP is well supported , responsive , introduced the first American made mod con in the US , it had issues so the owner discontinued and moved on . This new boiler has gone through the wringer before bringing it to market , no bugs , I have installed . This thing is a true modulating condensing boiler that quite shortly will be the envy of the industry .