Potterton and Vaillant have both built strong reputations for manufacturing reliable, highly efficient boilers to suit the heating and hot water demands of many different homes.
Vaillant have long been considered a leading manufacturer while Potterton deliver reliable budget-friendly. However, being part of Baxi means that Potterton also have the mentality of a leading boiler manufacturer.
So when it comes to your next boiler replacement should you turn to Potterton or Vaillant?
Potterton Assure vs Vaillant ecoTEC Plus boilers
Potterton and Vaillant both have a range of gas-fired combi, system and regular boilers. However, Potterton no longer manufacture domestic boilers – they leave that to their parent company, Baxi.
If it’s time to replace your Potterton Assure To compare the brands, we've put their leading boiler ranges head-to-head: Potterton Assure vs Vaillant ecoTEC Plus.
Combi boilers
Combi boilers have become the most popular type of boiler in the UK and are installed as standard into new build homes. They provide instant hot water on demand and all of the components are wrapped up into a single cost-effective unit, meaning there's no need for any tanks or cylinders elsewhere around the property.
Potterton and Vaillant combi boilers are available in a range of output ratings but the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus range is slightly more efficient.
Now let’s see how much these boilers might cost you:
Combi Boiler Range
Cost
Potterton Assure Combi
£620 – £1,350
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus
£875 – £1,600
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus
Comparing some of the key features of boilers can help to give you a better idea of how the boiler will fit into your day-to-day life. Key features of Potterton Assure combi boilers include:
Compact dimensions mean the units can fit in a cupboard 290mm deep
Low lift weight of 29kg makes installation easier
Front access makes service and maintenance much simpler
Quiet during operation
Compatible with Baxi uSense heating controls
LPG options available for 25 kW and 30 kW units
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus
Key features of Vaillant ecoTEC Plus combi boilers:
Precision heating helps to keep energy bills down
Able to deliver hot water within 5 seconds
Flow rate of 15.9 litres per minute
Stainless steel heat exchanger for increased efficiency and lifetime
When demand for heating isn't high ecoTEC boilers can drop to use only 16% of the maximum power
Quiet Mark accredited
Compatible with vSMART heating controls
LPG compatible units available
If you're looking for a combi boiler on a fairly tight budget then Potterton is the brand for you. Choosing to buy a Potterton Assure Combi boiler could potentially save you over £200 when compared to a similar model in the ecoTEC Plus range.
Heat-only boilers (also known as conventional and regular boilers) are the recommended heating system for larger properties that have a higher demand for heating and hot water.
Both Potterton and Vaillant offer a wide range of output ratings which will make finding the ideal system for your home much simpler.
There isn't much to split the Assure and ecoTEC Plus ranges in terms of efficiency – with only 1% between them in terms of their ErP efficiency ratings – and they both come endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust.
One big difference comes in terms of the cover you get after the installation. Warranty periods are an important consideration when looking at replacement boilers
Let’s take a look at how much you may have to spend on those boilers:
Heat-Only boiler range
Potential cost
Potterton Assure Heat
£854 – £1,350
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus
£790 – £1,500
The prices in the above table are estimates based on the prices of several retailers and don't take into account the installation.
Potterton Assure
Key features of Potterton Assure Heat boilers:
A lift weight of 19.5kg makes it one of the lightest on the market
Can be installed into a compact cupboard
Front and side access for ease of servicing
Flue options up to 12m to increase flexibility when it comes to installation
Works with Baxi uSense heating controls
Vaillant ecoTEC
Key features of Vaillant ecoTEC Plus regular boilers:
Able to reduce energy usage to 16% of maximum power
Can be installed into a kitchen cupboard
Control the heating with the vSMART app
Awarded a Which? Best Buy
In terms of price, there isn't too much separating the Assure Heat and ecoTEC Plus ranges. However, it's possible that the cheapest and most expensive units are within the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus range.
For homes with a demand for heating and hot water that's too high for a combi boiler, a system boiler could be the perfect solution. Potterton and Vaillant both have a wide range of system boilers that are all able to achieve high efficiency levels.
With 6 different models available in the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus range, compared to 4 in the Potterton Assure System range, it's likely to be easier to find a unit suited to the heating and hot water demands of your home.
Again, ecoTEC Plus units come with a longer warranty period than Assure boilers – 5 years as standard with the option to extend to 10 years.
Potterton Assure
Key features of Potterton Assure System boilers:
Installation lift weight of only 28kg
Can be installed in a kitchen cupboard
Optional outdoor weather sensor available which adjusts heating based on temperature outside
Can be installed alongside the Megaflo Eco SystemReady
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus
Key features of Vaillant ecoTEC Plus system boilers:
A stainless steel heat exchanger
Precision heating will help to reduce energy usage and keep bills down
Use the vSMART app to control your heating from anywhere
Quiet Mark awarded
As with the heat-only boilers, the Vaillant ecoTEC Plus range has the widest ranging potential cost, meaning that it's possible to find the cheapest and most expensive unit within that range.
System Boiler Range
Potential Cost
Potterton Assure System
£790 – £1,000
Vaillant ecoTEC Plus
£590 – £1,500
The potential costs in the above table are estimates based on the prices charged by several retailers and don't take into account the installation.
As we mentioned earlier, all of the boilers in this comparison article, whether manufactured by Potteron or Vaillant, are highly efficient and will help to keep your energy bills down to a minimum.
Heating controls
Thanks to being part of Baxi, Potterton Assure boilers are compatible with the Baxi uSense smart control. The Baxi uSense is a smart room thermostat that has many features to help you get the most out of your heating system:
Simple dial to turn the heating up or down
Holiday periods allow you to manage the central heating while you're away
Antifrost protects your boiler from freezing during cold temperatures
Monitor the amount of energy being used by the system
Can be controlled using the Baxi uSense App
Vaillant ecoTEC boilers are compatible with the vSMART app which allows you to take control of your heating from anywhere using a smart device. The vSMART app is available on Android and iOS and is a highly intelligent way of controlling your heating:
Monitors weather conditions to set an appropriate indoor temperature
Set your home to be your preferred temperature as soon as you walk through the door
When you're on holiday it will make automatic adjustments to save you money and provide frost protection during cold weather
If you have an ecoTEC PLus boiler in more than 1 property, you can control them all from a single app
Price
By offering 5-6 output options in their combi, system and regular ecoTEC Plus ranges, Vaillant are able to offer budget-friendly systems as well as more premium higher-end models.
If you're on the search for a combi boiler that won't break the bank though, we recommend the Potterton Assure range.
Installation
Considering the price of the unit itself is only the first part of purchasing a new boiler, you'll also need to add on the cost of installation.
Depending on the type of boiler being installed, how simple the installation is and the rates charged by the installer, the installation could cost anywhere between £500 and £1,000.
At Boiler Guide, our aim is to make sure you're not being charged too much for a boiler installation. And the best way to find the most competitive price is by comparing multiple quotes.
By completing our enquiry form, which should only take a few moments, we'll be able to match you with up to 3 Gas Safe registered engineers based near you. You'll get a free no-obligation quote from each installer and then be in a position to compare them.
Warranty
Once installed, it's great to have the peace of mind that you're covered by a warranty in the event of an issue. Depending on the manufacturer and boiler model, the length of the warranty as well as what's covered can vary greatly.
Potterton offer a 2 year warranty as standard, providing all parts and labour free of charge in the event of an issue caused by the manufacturing process.
A more extensive warranty is available on the Vaillant ecoTEC range with 5 years available as standard. You have the option to extend the warranty to 7 years when the unit is installed by a Vaillant Advance Installer and to an even lengthier 10 years when a Vaillant Advance Installer also fits a Boiler Protection Kit.
During the warranty period, Vaillant will see that you're covered in the event of a component failure. However, should the fault be the result of contaminated water, you will be charged.
With both manufacturers, you will need to register the warranty within 30 days of the installation and arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a boiler service once a year to keep the warranty valid. Without an annual gas boiler service, your warranty period will come to an end early.
Which brand wins?
Depending on your needs both Potterton and Vaillant could have something to offer.
For smaller properties looking to have a combi boiler installed, Potterton offer budget-friendly units that are reliable, efficient and available in a range of outputs. However, if your budget can stretch beyond the lowest potential price of a Potterton boiler then going with Vaillant will see that you're covered by a lengthy warranty period of 5-10 years – a valuable benefit when it comes to peace of mind.
Vaillant are also able to offer a wider range of outputs when it comes to all 3 boiler types, which will make finding the most suitable model for your home much easier.
Whether you decide to have a Potterton or Vaillant boiler installed, you can get free quotes for the installation from up to 3 local Gas Safe registered engineers using Boiler Guide.
Nick has a wide range of experience writing about conventional and renewable heating solutions, and is always increasing his knowledge by researching any new heating technologies on the horizon.
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