Opinions on VAILLANT ECOTEC PLUS 831

[Ziad]

Hi guys.....boiler engineer has recommended this particular model. Just looking for experienced feedback on this model from users/engineers etc.....any common problems/issue with this model?

thanks!

 

[Ray Stafford]

Hi Ziad.

As with any question asked on the internet, ask ten people, and you will get 11 opinions.

But thats a good product with a decent track record from a very reputable manufacturer.

Whether its appropriate for your property is another question. If you have a one bed flat with an electric shower - the 831 is overkill. On the other hand, if you have a 10 bed mansion, all rooms ensuite, then its way underpowered.

But in a moment, people will be along to howl me down, and recommend Ideal/Baxi/Intergas or (insert your choice here).

 

[Ziad]

Hi Ray ....thanks for the feedback.

Defo want to stick to Vaillant as its a brand that has given me (and other members of the family) good reliable service over the years. Just wanted to know if there was any common issues with this particular model as no manufacturer is perfect.

Also....what do you think of Salus TRVs.......if not good.....can you recommend a good mid priced TRV.

Thanks

 

[ninpoboy]

Good boiler you wont have any probs, I fit about 1 a week, would just get the Vaillant 350 VRf controller though, stick it in front of the boiler press a couple of buttons and away you go. Takes about 5 minutes to set up timings and stuff. Job done.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Also....what do you think of Salus TRVs.......if not good.....can you recommend a good mid priced TRV.

Thanks

Salus are considered a budget brand in the UK - quite unreasonably in some cases, but thats the way market perceptions work. I don't have enough experience of their TRV to comment, but if you can afford the 831, you can probably afford Honeywell/Drayton/Pegler/Danfoss TRVs.

 

[Leo21]

I fitted hundreds of Vaillants. On the whole very reliable, if you do have an issue the back is second to none.
i always fit them with lifestyle lp111 programmers or the vaillant built in clock. I find the vaillant programmers to much of a faf.
As far as trv, s go I use Honeywell, salus is a budget/nasty brand. Do not whatever you do have Salus controls.

 

[AWheating]

vaillant controls are ok if your a nasa engineer, if your confused by your tv remote fit another make.

 

[Leo21]

vaillant controls are ok if your a nasa engineer, if your confused by your tv remote fit another make.

Its not just me then.

 

[woodsy]

vaillant controls are ok if your a nasa engineer, if your confused by your tv remote fit another make.

Totally agree, integral controls very easy to fit but an absolute nightmare regarding programming / working them. Launching the space shuttle would be easy by comparison !

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Yip, fitted a couple this year, good boiler and support available 🙂.

 

[Rabbitman]

Dam good boiler and a joy to work on, but the back service up is not what it once was............

 

[LPC]

If installed correctly, on a VERY clean system (aka powerflushed w/system filter) with the extended warranty, then in my opinion it's probably the best boiler on the market.

I'd stay away from anything Salus; fairly cheap tat. Inta do some nice mid-range TRVs, good quality and well priced.

 

[Ziad]

cheers for every ones advice and feedback......will be going for the following brands:

Vaillant ectotec plus 831
Basi rads
Danfoss RAS C2 TRVs
Drayton Lifestyle clock/programmer
Magnaclean Professional 2

That just leaves the scale reducer/water softner on the incoming cold mains to choose. Which low maintenance product would you guys recommend?

 

[Leo21]

I don't fit them, the plate heat excahnger (the only part of the apliance that has fresh water running through it) is stainless steel, and nothing sticks to that.

 

[dancinplumba]

What about room thermostat ?

 

[gassafe]

I don't fit them, the plate heat excahnger (the only part of the apliance that has fresh water running through it) is stainless steel, and nothing sticks to that.

Plate heats are always stainless steel & can scale up I would put an inline scale inhibitor just to be on the safe side.

 

[billybob150811]

I fit 2 831,s a week (govt scheme) and they are a good boiler but vaillant back up is the opposite and in warrantee problems they only listen to their engineer without a scale inhibiter on the incoming main a completely unrelated problem becomes not to mi It says in the benchmark about hard water areas and scale reduction

 

[lame plumber]

so vailant controls are a nightmare to use and the backup is getting poor, whats to like?

 

[billybob150811]

I think the boiler is great the diagnostics are fantastic I had an issue with a gas valve looked thru the screens d044 something like that tell you no flame recognition when the engineer came out he didn't have a gas valve so he said the system needed cleaning there no argueing with them you have to wait till they get the part and then tell the them system has been cleaned and the job gets done but you have to say what they want to hear

 

[Leo21]

Plate heats are always stainless steel & can scale up I would put an inline scale inhibitor just to be on the safe side.

Ive never seen a plate hex scale up in nearly thirty years of being in the trade, and I live in an area with a lot of scale. It's always the heating side.

 

[stevetheplumber]

Ive never seen a plate hex scale up in nearly thirty years of being in the trade, and I live in an area with a lot of scale. It's always the heating side.

i totally agree with leo im yet to see one scaled up and london has hard water, blocked on the heating side ive seen dozens

 

[Aquazone]

Its always the sludge/ heating debris that blocks the plate. Think the scale is a common myth. It's hardly in there long enough to form any scale residue.

I have, however heard the Vaillant backup has gone the way some previous people have said and they are very picky and pig headed with the system cleanliness etc. If your having a full system, probably fitting an inline scale inhibitor will satisfy them.

A filter is a must with these boilers as they are very sensitive to dirt in the system.