Not sure if you need the Glow-worm Energy 35 Store or the Worcester Bosch 440CDi Highflow combi?
If you’re looking to invest in a new storage combi boiler for your large Edinburgh home, you’re definitely wise to weigh up all of the options in your price range, and these two boilers are both great choice, with very different benefits.
If, like many homeowners, you’re agonising over your decision, I’m hoping this comparison review will help you gain a bit more perspective on which boiler might be best for your home.
So, let’s start with a quick introduction, shall we?
Introduction
Premium brand Worcester Bosch are well known for manufacturing outstanding, market-leading boilers (they’ve been awarded Which ‘Best Buy’ for six years’ running) with extra long guarantees, but they also come with a premium price tag.
In contrast, Glow-worm is a budget brand that provides amazing value for money without sacrificing too much on quality, and they’re boilers are made to a high standard – thanks to the company being part of the Vaillant Group (another premium brand boiler manufactuer).
But to find out which boiler is right for your home, the first thing you should look for is the heating and hot water outputs, along with the flow rates you can expect to your taps…
Output and flow rates
The Worcester Bosch 440CDi Highflow has a heating and hot water output of around 29kw, which is great for large homes with around 10-16 radiators and multiple showers and baths. With a flow rate of 20 litres per minute It’ll handle a high pressure shower or deep cast iron bath no problem.
However, with a heating output of 30kw it’s much the same as the Worcester Bosch. The Glow-worm Energy 35 Store has an output to the hot water of 35.7kw. However the flow rate at 19.7 litres per minute is around the same hot water output as the 440Cdi
There’s pretty much nothing these boilers can’t handle, so if you want to potentially never run outhot water again.
TIP: If you’re unsure of the outputs you need, always get an engineer to measure your home’s heat loss and incoming water pressure before installing a new boiler.
Size and special features
Measuring in at 850mm x 600mm x 600mm, the 440 CDi is what’s known as a floor-standing boiler, which is around the size of your washing machine – in fact, it’ll slot quite nicely under a kitchen worktop or in a basement or garage.
Impressively, despite its high hot water capacity, the Energy 35 Store is a wall-hung boiler and measures in at 890mm x 470mm x 561mm – so it’ll look at home either on your kitchen wall or in a larger storage cupboard (it won’t fit in a standard kitchen cupboard or Edinburgh press).
Guarantee
This is where the Worcester Bosch 440CDi really comes into its own, as the premium brand’s 10-year no-quibble guarantee is a market leader at the moment. The only thing is, you’re also paying a premium price for those 10 years, and you also have to get the brand’s own filter and controls installed.
Alternatively, the Glow-worm Energy 35 Store comes with a free 5-year guarantee, and whilst it’s half the amount of cover, you’re also saving a few hundred pounds on the boiler itself, so you could argue this balances out. And for a budget boiler, five years is still more than acceptable when it comes to warranties.
Tech specs
Now, let’s look at a brief summary of all the important info you need to know about both of these boilers:
The Glow-worm Energy 35 Store
- Heating output: 30kw
- Hot water output: 35..7kw, 19.7 litres per minute flow rate at 35 degrees Celsius
- Ideal for: Large homes with 10 – 16 radiators and multiple showers and baths
- Guarantee: 5 years (when registered through Club Energy)
- ERP rating: A
The Worcester Bosch 440CDi Highflow
- Heating output: 29.2kw
- Hot water output: 29.5kw, 20 litres per minute at a flow rate of 35 degrees Celsius
- Ideal for: Large homes with 10– 16 radiators with multiple showers and baths
- ERP rating: A, 93% efficiency
- Guarantee: 10 years (when installed with the brand’s own filter and controls from an accredited installer)
ERP rating
Both of these boilers are ERP rated A, so you can be rest assured you’re getting optimum energy efficiency – if replacing a much older model, you could even see a significant difference in your energy bills!
Conclusion
I hope this blog has helped you narrow down your decision when comparing the Glow-worm Energy 35 Store to the Worcester Bosch 440CDi Highflow combi boiler – both are ideal for larger homes, but the deciding factor may be wall hung boiler or floor standingboiler. 5 year or 10 year guarantee. Difference of around £400-£450 between them.
Don’t forget, always get an engineer to check your incoming water pressure to ensure you’ll definitely benefit from fantastic flow rates these boilers can offer you.
Which of these boilers is right for your home, and why? Let me in the comments section!
