Are you looking for a modern Baxi boiler?
You may remember the brand as being famous for their back boilers in the 60s, 70s and 80s, but times have moved on, and so has Baxi.
Gone are the old, inefficient Bermuda fire and back boilers – but the brand is going strong, and the good news is that they’re now making modern, high efficiency boilers you can trust.
Like the idea of a new Baxi boiler, but unsure of what you need? The good news is, Baxi now makes boilers to suit just about every type of home.
Over the years, I’ve often been asked about the Baxi brand of boilers and what’s on offer nowadays, so below I’m going to talk you through your options.
Baxi back boilers: a history
Baxi’s most popular product by far was the Baxi Bermuda fire and back boiler. They used existing chimneys for the flue system, and were fitted in the lounge dining area of many homes.
On top of that, they were a firm favourite with many local councils and housing associations as they were a very reliable, long-lasting boiler – in fact, there may still be a few kicking about today. Perhaps you even have one in your own home.
However, nowadays they are pretty much redundant systems that take up quite a bit of space that could probably otherwise be put to good use – not to mention the fact that open-flued appliances are extremely inefficient to run.
In fact, because the old-fashioned back boilers are so staggeringly inefficient, there’s a good chance that if you own one, replacing it now could mean considerable savings on your heating bills.
Why choose a new Baxi boiler?
If you have an old Baxi back boiler that’s served you well throughout the years, there’s a good chance you might still look to the brand as your first port-of-call for a boiler replacement.
Baxi are still well-respected and a household name in the UK. In the past, they lost some ground to their competitors, but they’re now back at the top of their game and offering 10-year guarantees and very reliable products.
In the past, I’ve come across a number of customers looking for a new boiler, who want a reliable product and long guarantee. On doing their research, they didn’t want to pay a premium for a brand name such as Worcester or Vaillant, which is why Baxi appealed.
They particularly liked the idea of having a higher output and longer guarantee for the same price as a Worcester or Vaillant – think of it as ‘more bang for your buck’!
Another big benefit of Baxi is that all their boilers are manufactured in the UK, which has obvious appeal as it means parts are easier to source.
Your Baxi boiler options
When choosing a modern Baxi boiler, you have three options:
- A regular boiler
- A system boiler
- A combi boiler
The first two options will connect to your existing hot water tank, whereas a combi allows for you to ditch your old water tanks entirely – making it an appealing option for many.
The type of boiler you will need will really depend on various factors, such as the size of your home, how many baths, showers and radiators you have, and your current set-up.
How to choose
Like I said above, choosing a new boiler will mostly depend on some of the factors above to determine the output and type of boiler needed.
In one example, I’ve compared combi boilers vs system boilers, to give you an idea of some of the other factors to take into consideration. Or check out this blog if you a large home.
A Gas Safe registered heating engineer should be able to carry out a home visit and help you decide which option is best for you – although I’d recommend getting at least three different quotes so you can compare companies and choose one you feel most comfortable with.
This will also allow you to compare which type of boilers, outputs and guarantees are being offered. If you’re looking for a Baxi in particular, I would always recommend the Platinum or Eco Blue Advance range, as they both come with a 10-year guarantee.
TIP: Even though Baxi don’t dictate that a magnetic central heating filter should be fitted, I would highly advise you do so, as it protects the boiler from silt, sludge and debris pumping through the boiler, prolonging its life.
From a heating engineer’s perspective
When looking for a new boiler that you’re going to spend a lot of your hard-earned cash on, I always give the same advice: do your homework.
Look for a solid brand name, make sure you get a long guarantee, and check to see if the manufacturer has their own dedicated engineers – as this could save you a lot of hassle in the long-run.
Finally, don’t forget to make a note in your diary to organise your boiler’s annual service, which keeps your guarantee valid. Some engineers might have an automated system to remind you – or you could even arrange to pay monthly so setting the date is up to them.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a new Baxi boiler, you’ll be pleased to hear that the brand is still going strong and there are plenty of options available. When choosing a modern Baxi boiler, you have three options:
- A regular boiler
- A system boiler
- A combi boiler
The type of Baxi boiler you need will really depend on the type of home you have, and your existing set-up – a qualified heating engineer will be able to help you determine the type and size of boiler best suited to your home.
Remember to do your homework and research your options carefully; look at guarantees, dedicated engineers and a solid brand name (like Baxi).
I’d also recommend fitting a magnetic central heating filter to protect your new boiler from damage caused by silt and sludge.
What is it about Baxi boilers that really appeals to YOU? Let me know in the comments.
