Are you curious about the pros and cons of an ATAG boiler?
If you’re starting to research this boiler brand as a potential for your home (and you know an engineer that sells them), you probably want to know more before you invest. And, with prices higher than premium brand Worcester Bosch, it’s probably wise that you do!
ATAG are a bit of a dark horse. They’ve been around a long time (70+ years) and have introduced some great new features with their boilers. Plus, they’ve really upped their game with their guarantees recently. However, there are some downsides when going for this brand, too.
As an experienced engineer, I’m going to talk you through everything you need to know when considering an ATAG boiler for your home.
The pros of an ATAG boiler
Let’s start by looking at the positives you can expect from an ATAG boiler. There are a few, to be fair.
1. They’re very energy efficient
One of the best things ATAG has going for themselves right now is that their offering some amazing energy efficient features. These include a built-in passive flue gas heat recovery device, which squeezes even more energy that’s normally lost out through your flue. Other manufacturers are starting to offer this now, but this one’s actually built into the boiler.
Their combis also come as standard with an outside weather compensator. So, technically these boilers contain more energy efficient features than the likes of Worcester Bosch, for example – which might explain why they’re marketing their boilers as a premium brand.
2. They sell compact combis
Compact ranges are always a popular thing for boiler brands to offer. It means that you can make the most of space in your home. You can even fit your combi into a standard kitchen cupboard, if the mood takes you! This is a really great, space-saving option.
3. They’re good value for money
Okay, so ATAG may be charging more than Worcester Bosch, but the energy efficient features above – along with the guarantee they come with – still mean they’re overall good value for money.
TIP: Pssst! However, you can now get a 12-year guarantee from Ideal for significantly cheaper – so if value is important to you, you might want to consider all your options!
4. They’re experienced in the commercial market
ATAG do sell domestic boilers, but they made their name in the commercial market. It explains why most homeowners haven’t heard of them, in comparison to the likes of Worcester Bosch, Baxi and Ideal. Even Ariston!
However, they do have 70 years of experience under their belts, and they have what I believe is a good product.
5. Their boilers come with a 10-year guarantee
Up until recently, the longest guarantee ATAG were selling was two years. So, this is a huge step forward – in the right direction. You can now be fairly confident that if you did invest in one of these boilers, and had it serviced annually, you’d at least be covered for 10 years in terms of parts and labour.
The cons of an ATAG boiler
Now, let’s take a look at some of the biggest cons of buying an ATAG boiler, shall we? Brace yourselves.
1. They’re not well-known in the domestic market
The most striking thing that stands out to me about ATAG boilers is that they’re so low-key. Despite having been trading for 70+ years, hardly anyone’s heard of them. At least when it comes to homeowners. When we look at it in terms of market share, ATAG barely register.
This sets off alarm bells for me, as I like to recommend something I know is good. And I just haven’t heard anything positive or negative about this brand… yet.
2. No dedicated engineers for call-outs
This may not necessarily sound like a big problem. However, a boiler brand having its own dedicated, trustworthy engineers who know their boilers inside-out is always something that’s incredibly important. If, like ATAG, they just use agents, you could end up getting an engineer who’s not particularly experienced with your model of boiler.
Combine that with the fact that ATAG boilers aren’t sold very widely in the UK? It doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. I mean, good on them for finally providing a 10-year guarantee, but they need the backup and goes along with it.
3. More expensive than Worcester Bosch
Okay, ATAG; I know you want to market yourselves as a premium boiler brand, but COME ON! Worcester Bosch is the market leader, and people are happy to pay that premium price tag because they know they’re getting a Which ‘Best Buy’ and a household name.
As an engineer, it’s cheaper for me to pick up one of their boilers than it is for me to pick up a Worcester Bosch. Yet, they still want to price it as more expensive… something doesn’t add up.
4. They only sell direct to heating engineers
In other words, you can’t just pick up an ATAG boiler at one of your local merchants. Which is a bit of a shame, really. You can only buy through an engineer – which, to be fair, maybe doesn’t impact on homeowners that much. You’d need an engineer anyway.
However, there’s something about not being able to just pick up an ATAG boiler, knowing it’s readily available at a merchants if you need it. The same for parts.
5. No compact system or regular boilers
There are a lot of homeowners looking to save some space when buying a new system boiler and unvented cylinder, or even just a new regular boiler. Many in the process of getting a new kitchen fitted, with a specific place in mind for their boiler. Having boilers that fit in kitchen cupboards is a huge upside.
However, that’s only something ATAG can offer with a combi. If you’re looking for a compact system or regular boiler, you’d be better off going for Worcester Bosch. You’d save money, too!
Advice from an experienced engineer
As I’m writing this, in the here and now (September 2018), I wouldn’t personally recommend ATAG boilers to people. Not necessarily because there’s anything wrong with them, but due to the fact that I can’t recommend something I’m not confident enough in myself.
I will say, however, that this is a brand I’ll be keeping my eye on. Over the next 2 – 3 years, a lot could change, and I want to see how they develop. Their guarantees have already came on in leaps and bounds in the past two years. If they get their own dedicated engineers, and plenty of great feedback, I’d even look into stocking them myself.
I like to be open-minded and not write anything off without giving them a chance. After all, they’re not noisy or selling a faulty product. Thing is, I just haven’t really heard anything at all. We’re all a bit scared of the unknown, and I like to stick to boilers that are tried, tested and proven by people I know and trust myself.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading. Hopefully this blog has given you a better idea of the pros and cons of an ATAG boiler. And they do have a few advantages! However, I’m afraid it’s just not quite enough to have me singing their praises just yet. Give it time!
Have you had an experience with an ATAG boiler? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear about some first-hand experiences with this brand. Or if you have a question, I’ll be happy to help!
