Are you trying to find a good value combi boiler for your small Edinburgh flat?
If you’re in the market for a decent boiler to see you through, you’ve probably already take a look at the market leader, Worcester Bosch, and their 25i Greenstar combi. But like a lot of homeowners these days, you’re probably considering all your options, which is where the Ideal Logic+ C24 comes in.
Both combis come from well-established manufacturers, with long guarantees. Hmmm, sound like a toughie?
Well, in that case, this blog is for you. I’m going to use my 20+ years of experience as an engineer to tell you the main differences between these two boilers, and how to decide which is right for you.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
Introduction
The Ideal Logic+ C24 combi is a well-made, award-winning boiler. These days Ideal are back on top of their game, with great value for money products and fantastic customer service. This makes the C24 a good buy. In fact, these are just some of the reasons that Ideal – along with Baxi – have gained quite a bit of market share in the past year.
They’re actually offering slightly more bang for your buck than premium brands such as Worcester Bosch, whilst coming in around £200 – £300 cheaper on average. However, Worcester Bosch is the current market leader and Which ‘Best Buy’. They’re proven to stand the test of time, and can typically last you around 18 – 20 years. It can also be paired with Worcester Bosch’s own smart control system, the Wave.
Still feeling torn? Then let’s investigate further!
Output and flow rates
Looking at the central heating outputs of these two boilers, you’ll find both deliver 24kW to your radiators. And with identical outputs, both are best-suited to a small home or apartment with 2 – 3 bedrooms.
As for the hot water outputs, the Worcester Bosch comes out a bit of a winner, with 25kW to your taps compared to the Ideal’s 24kW. This translates to 10.2 litres per vs 9.9 from the Ideal. To be honest, it’s not a huge difference, and both are more suited to a shower than a bath – the latter of which would be quite slow to fill.
Size and special features
Measuring in at 395mm x 700mm x 278mm, the Ideal Logic+ C24 is a compact boiler. This makes it a great choice if you’re low on space, as this combi will happily fit into a standard-sized kitchen cupboard.
On the other hand, the Worcester Bosch 25i is a standard sized wall-hung boiler, and measures 400mm x 700mm x 330mm. Unfortunately this makes it too big for your kitchen cupboards! It will fit into a larger storage cupboard, or look at home on your kitchen wall.
Guarantee
When it comes to guarantees, it’s again good news for the Ideal Logic+ C24. This boiler comes with up to a 10-year guarantee, when fitted with the right accredited installer (who can offer you this special deal). This is a no-quibble guarantee, and there’s no need to fit the brand’s own filter and controls – so no catches!
The Worcester Bosch 25i, on the other hand, offers up to an 8-year guarantee when fitted with a Worcester Magnetic central heating filter and installed by an accredited installer.
TIP: Your guarantee will only stay valid if you get your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer!
The takeaway here? If you’re looking for value for money, it could be the Ideal Logic+ C24 seems to be the winner here! Especially with that extra two years on the guarantee!
At a glance
Right, time to really break it down here, with an ‘at a glance’ summary.
Let’s start with the Ideal Logic+ C24:
- Heating output: 24.2kW
- Hot water output: 24kW, 9.9 litres per minute at 35 degrees Celsius
- Ideal for: A small home or apartment with 2 – 3 bedrooms and a shower
- Guarantee: 10 years (with some accredited installers*)
- Size: 700mm x 395mm x 278mm
- ERP rating: A
*Always check with your chosen accredited installer about whether they’ll be able to offer this deal.
Now, here’s a brief summary of the technical specifications you can enjoy with a Worcester Bosch 25i:
- Heating output: 24kw
- Hot water output: 25kw (10.2 litres per minute at 35 degrees Celsius)
- Ideal for: A small home or apartment with 2 – 3 bedrooms and a shower
- Guarantee: 8 years when fitted by an accredited installer, with Worcester Bosch’s own magnetic central heating filter
- Size: 400mm x 700mm x 330mm
- ERP rating: A
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
If you’re looking for peace of mind with long-term, proven reliability, my advice is still to go with the Worcester Bosch 25i. It’s £200 – £300 more expensive, but it’s tried and tested to last 18 – 20 years. However, if value for money is important, or you need a compact boiler, there’s nothing wrong with choosing the Ideal Logic+ C24.
I’ve seen this argument from both sides. I recently had a landlord who was looking into a Worcester Bosch, as he wanted to let the flat out and just forget about it. On the other hand, in the same week, I also saw a landlord who wanted to save £200 and get an extra 2 years on the guarantee. So, as I’ve stated in other blogs, this is a very close call.
After all, opting for an Ideal will mean you’ll have the extra cash to spend on things like smart controls! And with such a great guarantee, there’s no reason not to.
Conclusion
I hope this blog has been of some help when deciding between the Ideal Logic+ C24 and the Worcester Bosch 25i. Both of these boilers are well-made, from great, long-established manufacturers. However, there are a few differences to help you decide.
The main deciding factors here are value for money, guarantee and size, with Ideal winning out in these categories. However, if you’re looking for a tried and tested boiler that’s sure to last the distance, the Worcester Bosch might be your best bet.
Got any more questions about these two boilers? Feel free to hit me up in the comments – I promise to reply!
