Are you looking for new programmable controls for your boiler?
Whether you’re thinking about investing in a new boiler, or you just want to upgrade to better controls for your existing Worcester Bosch boiler, you may be consider whether to go for the Wave or the Comfort II RF.
The good thing about both of these controls with a new Worcester Bosch boiler and magnetic central heating filter is that you could get an 8 or 10-year guarantee (depending on the boiler) to cover all three for that period! Which is pretty darn great if you ask me! That, and the great reputation are the reason why Worcester Bosch boilers are still so popular.
But which controls should you fit in your home? Well, both cost around the same price, and both could potentially save you money on your energy bills, so the answer to that really depends on what you want them for.
TIP: Most people seem to go for the Wave or Comfort II RF, however, I’ve compared all of the Worcester Bosch programmable controls in a different blog!
As an experienced heating engineer, let me explain more, below.
You should fit the Comfort II RF if…
The Comfort II RF is a great, simple-to-use programmable control, and it’s completely wireless. This is perfect if you have a boiler fitted in the basement or attic – or just somewhere complicated to get to. After all, you wouldn’t want to go up to your attic every time you want to change your heating settings!
You can easily fit the Comfort II RF anywhere in your house. You may choose to have it in the hall, or lounge for instance. It allows you to control the heating and temperature in your home, as well as the hot water. You can also set all of your timed programmes, and it’ll even show you a fault code if anything is wrong with your boiler/heating.
The Comfort II RF doesn’t need internet access to work, and it’s very simple to use. It always reverts back to its programming. So, if you don’t care about fancy looking controls that allow you to access your heating settings from the bus (or anywhere), then this is definitely for you!
You should fit the Worcester Bosch Wave if…
Coming in at around the same price as the Comfort II RF, the Worcester Bosch Wave! It’s a smart control, and is very slim and aesthetically pleasing to have in your home. The controls are very intuitive, and it has a nice, clear display that you can activate just by waving in front of the screen (hence the name).
However, the main thing that puts people off the Wave is that it needs a 2-core cable to connect it to the thermostat on your boiler. This is very different from the Comfort II RF, which is completely wireless. So, wherever you fit the Wave, you need that cable going to it. Not so good if you need to run a cable under sealed oak or stone floors to get it in the right position!
The good thing about the Wave is that if you have Wifi, you can install the app onto your smartphone and control your heating that way. It works best for people who always have their smartphone by their side and use it for browsing the internet, Facebook, texting etc. as it’ll become like second nature to access Wave that way.
If you’re like many of my customers, the physical location of your Wave won’t even bother you! It’s also a great control in that it takes information from your local weather forecast, and is internet-enabled whilst still keeping your data private. It’s a big hit with my customers! Less good if you don’t have a smartphone, though.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
The price of smart controls has fallen recently, and now there’s not a lot of difference between the price of the Worcester Bosch Wave and Comfort II RF. Worcester do tend to keep the price a little bit on the higher end of the market (by around £60 – £80), but this is because you get such a great benefit of 8-10 years’ guarantee to cover your boiler, filter AND controls. It’s a fantastic deal!
The biggest thing to remember is to invest in the controls that work for YOU. Not what’s necessarily the fanciest, or the most expensive. I’ve never had anyone disappointed in the Wave, but some people have chosen the Comfort II RF simply because they like the idea of it being wireless, or because they simply don’t have smartphones to get the benefit of the Wave.
Finally, if you can, ask your installer if he can give you a deal. There’s never any harm in asking. Also, don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price!
Conclusion
I hope this blog has been helpful when you’re feeling stuck between the Worcester Bosch Wave or Comfort II RF. Don’t let an engineer sell you a set of controls just because it’s convenient for him. They should suit you and your lifestyle, and be something that you’re going to be comfortable using and getting the most out of.
Do you have any more specific questions about the Worcester Bosch Wave or Comfort II RF? Let me know in the comments. I promise to reply!
