Ideal boilers - a term mostly Googled by people who already have a broken one, looking for reviews to find out just how bad of a boiler the previous homeowners opted for.
Overview
Ideal boilers are all over the UK like a rash. They’ve often been the favoured boiler of local engineers due to some clever incentivisation tactics from the big wigs at Ideal HQ. Accrued points for Ideal installations can be exchanged for processed meat, and rash cream.
But does their huge presence in UK households mean they’re an asset?
The short answer is no. With some premium exceptions, you’re more than likely getting a bang average boiler just itching to break down after your warranty expires and your now rashless installer has ridden off into a meat riddled horizon.
Review criteria
To review the Ideal boiler brand, we have considered:
Installation experience (Heatable previously installed this product)
Consumer reviews for Ideal (from sources like Trust Pilot)
Our own video review for the most common, Ideal Logic boiler.
Ideal Boilers Prices
According to Heatable’s statistics, the average price of a new boiler installation in the UK as of July 2024 stands at £2,900 but the average price of an Ideal boiler is just £2,400.
The difference is substantial and a possible saving of £500 – that’s like someone giving you £1 every day for a year £134 on New Year’s. Or, with today’s prices, nearly enough to buy you three cartons of eggs.
But, just as it’s healthy to question the motives of a stranger tracking you down daily to bestow coinage upon you, it’s equally wise to examine the reasons why a new boiler installation might be 20% cheaper than most and what is or isn’t included for that price.
Ideal Boiler Warranty length
The warranty of a new boiler is often reflected in the price, and vice-versa. Cheap boilers will very often have short warranties, capping out at 2 years. The worst boilers have a warranty that doesn’t even outlast the flavour of your gum.
Once that’s up, you’ll have no choice but to seek boiler repair at your own cost. If that becomes a regular occurrence, your combi boiler might start feeling like the world’s most boring slot machine. And you can never beat the bandit.
Ideal is a popular boiler brand, not just because of the competitive price but because they’re often matching market leaders in terms of technical details, but compared to Worcester-Bosch their warranty length offered by installers is lacking.
The average standard warranty of an Ideal combi boiler is a reasonable 7 years – That’ll allow you to break a mirror and maintain total confidence that at the very least, your boiler is going to be alright.
But 4-7 a year warranty range doesn't quite match Worcester's 10-year guarantee (when purchased via Heatable).
Hold on… Does a warranty give me total boiler cover?
The warranty of a boiler is essentially a promise from the boiler manufacturer that they will send an engineer to fix any issues with the boiler itself or any of its components.
They will also replace the boiler if it cannot be repaired and the fault lies with the manufacturer - using a sledgehammer usually doesn’t get you an engineer.
Boiler manufacturers generally have a good reputation for upholding their warranties – they’re legally obliged after all.
Unfortunately, though, there can be disputes between the manufacturer and the installer over where the fault blame lies.
Manufacturers can be notoriously adamant not to provide any assistance if they believe there were absolutely any errors at the installation stage and of course, installers are likely to argue it was not their installation – but the boiler itself.
All installers on Heatable are Gas Safe Registered, checked and vetted - compare new boiler quotes here
Issues like this are uncommon though and to reduce the likelihood of it, you should not only opt for a new boiler with a minimum 5-year warranty but also look for a Gas Safe installer offering at least a 12-month workmanship guarantee.
If you’re worried about being caught by unexpected repair bills, you should consider comparing quotes for a boiler cover plan, ensuring your boiler is regardless of the problem.
Join Thousands of Satisfied Customers:
We’re proud to be Which? Trusted Traders with over 10,000 glowing reviews on Trustpilot. Check out our Reviews and Testimonials page and watch Adrian’s video testimonial below to see why so many trust us for their heating needs.
Weather compensation devices
A nifty device designed to automatically save you energy and thus money by altering the boiler water flow temperature in accordance with what its external thermometer is reading outside.
[2024 update/caveat]
Weather compensation devices are great, but require substantial changes in user expectation. They’ll essentially tell you whether you’re cold or not and you can’t disagree. Like whacking the heating up when you’re cold? Think again.
For this reason, despite being a great device - we no longer fit them at Heatable due to not having the resources to remove them again at customer requests.
Without having to manually adjust your boiler's temperature settings, the Ideal weather compensation device will compare the heat outside with the ambient temperature inside your house and make a decision for itself on how hard it should be working. In simple terms, if it's hot outside - it's going to turn your heating right down before you've even remembered to check.
The addition of a weather compensation also makes the heating system Boiler Plus compliant - a recent Government initiative designed to make sure homeowners are getting top quality, highly efficient boiler installations that help them to reduce their energy bills as well as reduce their carbon footprint.
Ideal Boiler Reviews
The Ideal Logic+ boiler
The Logic is Ideal’s flagship range and rightly so. The basic warranty is a sturdy 7 years when installed by an approved engineer. It’s also small in size, so you won’t need to build an extension on the side of your house to accommodate it and it, of course, is rated A for both hot water and heating efficiency.
Look no further than the Ideal Logic for quality, peace of mind and genuine value for money. The Idea Logic+ is available in three power outputs; 24kW, 30kW & 35kW.
Note: Read our full Ideal Logic Combi Review here.
Key features of the Ideal Logic+
Easy to read pressure gauge
Large backlit display with user friendly controls
Low component count which maximises reliability
Energy Saving Trust endorsed
7-Year warranty widely available
Quiet Mark awarded
Frost protection
Small unit size allowing for installation in most standard cupboards
Manufactured in the UK
Compatibility with smart thermostats
Ideal Vogue
At Heatable, we like our articles to be a diverse blend of useful information and deranged nonsense which is why we’ll be recommending the Ideal Vogue for the more superficial boiler shoppers amongst you.
Because it is one seriously handsome boiler.
This Adonis of a heating machine looks like a groomed wild boar, purring with unshakeable self-certainty but at the same time, exuding the divine grace of a gliding swan. Some of the UK’s oldest ducks cower in shame at the ease with which water rolls off this machine back.
As rogue as it is in vogue, this boiler is a maverick, a bohemian. He does not conform. He is installed when he wants to be installed. He is all-powerful, and immovable. A god of boilers, utterly disenchanted with the lowly mortals he’s forced to share this earth with.
Having made the cover of Vogue no less than 73 times with 68 of those being fully nude pieces, if you’re basing your next combi boiler upgrade on sheer aesthetics then look no further than the Ideal Vogue.
Read our Ideal Vogue Max review.
Key features of the Ideal Vogue
Staggering good looks aside, it must be said there is more to Ideal's premium combi boiler than just haunting beauty and silent charm. The White Knight has plenty to offer.
10-year warranty*
Backlit 3.5" LCD full-colour display. Wow.
Mutli function buttons for ease of use.
Energy Saving Trust endorsed.
UK made.
Built using only premium components.
Compact.
Good Housekeeping' award in both 2013 & 2017.
Frost protection.
A rating for hot water efficiency.
A rating for heating efficiency.
We have also reviewed and compared many other popular UK boiler brands, including the following:
Get A New Boiler Quote Today
If you’re aiming to get the best deal on a new boiler, consider getting a quote from us, here’s why:
Gas Safe installation within 24 hours.
Thousands of satisfied customers with an average score of 4.9 on Trustpilot, surpassing the market leader.
Which? Trusted Trader: Heatable is proudly recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.
Price match guarantee: We will match any like-for-like cheaper quote.
Flexible payment options, including interest-free finance*.
Up to 12-year guarantee on selected boilers.
Fixed price guarantee: No hidden costs.
Save your quote and decide later.
Get an instant fixed price on a new boiler, here.
To learn more about boilers, visit our advice section, check out our YouTube channel, or read customer testimonials here.
Heat Happy.
*finance is subject to status and affordability. Terms and conditions apply. Minimum payment terms apply.
