Finding it tough having to choose between the Glow-worm Ultimate 2 Combi and the Betacom 3 range?

Glow-worm are known for producing reliable, quality boilers that also represent fantastic value for money, but they also have quite a few different combi boiler ranges on the go at the moment.

If, like some of my customers, you’re finding it hard whittling down your choices, I’m hoping my latest series of comparison reviews should help you out.

This time, I’ve used my experience as an Edinburgh heating engineer to review and compare both the Ultimate 2 Combi and Betacom 3 range below:

Introduction

The Glow-worm Ultimate 2 Combi range has been specially designed and developed for the one-off installer market, and built exclusively for City Plumbing Supplies. And with it’s fantastic hot water outputs, it could certainly give the Betacom 3 range a run for its money!

If you have a medium-sized Edinburgh property, it’s possible you’ve been looking at both of these ranges and wondering which one is going to best suit your home – but the real clincher is really going to come down to outputs, budget and guarantee.

First, let’s take a look at the most important thing; the outputs you can expect from these boilers.

Output and flow rates

Below, I’ve put together a brief guide for working out the outputs and flow rates both of these ranges have to offer:

Glow-worm Betacom 3

• Betacom 3 24kw combi: This boiler provides an output of 24kw to your heating, and 24kw to your hot water at a rate of 10 litres per minute (35 degrees Celsius)
• Betacom 3 30kw combi: This boiler supplies an output of 30kw to your heating, and 30kw to your hot water at a rate of 12.4 litres per minute (35 degrees Celsius)

Glow-worm Ultimate2 Combi

• Ultimate 2 30C: This boiler gives you an output of 25.5kw to your heating, and 30.6kw to your hot water at a rate of 12.5 litres per minute (35 degrees Celsius)
• Ultimate 2 35C: This boiler provides an output of 25.5kw to your heating, and 35.7kw to your hot water at a rate of 14.4 litres per minute (35 degrees Celsius)

Size and special features

Just like the Procombi range, both the Ultimate 2 Combi and Betacom 3 measure in at 740mm x 418mm x 300mm, making them standard wall-hung boilers. Unfortunately, they won’t fit in an ordinary-sized kitchen cupboard or Edinburgh press.

Another bonus is that both of these boilers can also be flued vertically or horizontally, so you can have a choice when it comes to where to locate your boiler.

Guarantee

When it comes to guarantees, the Ultimate 2 Combi has a clear advantage over the Betacom 3, with an extra three years’ warranty when registered through Club Energy – that’s a full 5 years of free cover! Although, the Betacom 3’s 2-year guarantee can be extended at a price, as can the Ultimate 2’s.

Ideal for

The Glow-worm Betacom 3 boiler range is just right for a small or medium-size home with anywhere between 6 to 14 radiators and a shower (the 30kw can also easily run a bath).

However, if you’re looking for even better flow rates to your medium-sized property with around 5 – 9 radiators, the Ultimate 2 Combi may be your best choice, with an impressive 30kw or 35kw to your taps – that’s up to a flow rate of 14.4 litres per minute! Perfect for baths and high pressure showers.

ERP rating

Both the Betacom 3 and the Ultimate 2 Combi ranges are ERP A-rated. There is a miniscule 0.1% difference in energy efficiency between the two, the Ultimate 2 Combi being the highest at 89.3% – but by no means should that be a deciding factor, as you probably wouldn’t notice any difference.

Conclusion

I hope this review has been useful in helping you decide which combi boiler range is right for you – the Glow-worm Ultimate 2 Combi, or the Glow-worm Betacom 3. Both have very different offerings in terms of heating and hot water outputs, and it can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

If you’re still feeling unsure, or have any questions I can help clear up for you about either of these boiler ranges, post a comment below and I’ll be happy to get back to you.

Which of these combi boiler ranges do YOU prefer, and why?