Baxi vs Viessmann

About Baxi

Established in 1866, Baxi started life as the Baxendale Company, founded by Richard Baxendale in Preston, Lancashire.

With its UK headquarters in Warwick, England, Baxi is today part of BDR Thermea – one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of domestic and commercial heating systems.

Baxi markets its products under several different names across Europe, including Chappée and Ideal Standard in France, Roca in Spain, and Broetje in Germany.

Baxi’s UK product range includes gas boilers, LPG boilers and heat only boilers.

Baxi’s UK boilers are manufactured at sites in Preston, Norwich and Milton Keynes, whilst its customer services and technical helpdesk are operated from its UK headquarters in Warwick.

Baxi’s parent company, BDR Thermea Group, were founded as a result of the merger between Baxi and De Dietrich Remeha in 2009. Its global headquarters are located in

Apeldoorn, The Netherlands and from there, the group operates in more than 70 countries worldwide.

In the UK, the BDR Thermea Group also owns and operates Potterton, Main Heating, Heatrae Sadia, Megaflo, Remeha, Andrews Water Heaters, Potterton Commercial, and Packaged Plant Solutions.

About Viessmann

Viessmann is a fourth-generation family company founded in 1917 and headquartered in Allendorf, Germany.

Operating in the UK since 1989, Viessmann’s UK headquarters are located in Telford, Shropshire. To the UK market, Viessmann offers a comprehensive product range that includes gas boilers, oil boilers, air and ground source heat pumps, steam boilers, biomass boilers and combined heat and power generation.

Globally, Viessmann operates in 74 countries around the world, whilst in the UK, the company trains approximately 2,500 installers, contractors, specifiers and architects on its products each year.

With a market share that continues to grow in the UK, Viessmann is gaining increasing brand recognition, thanks in part to the entire Vitodens range being awarded Which? Best Buy status every year since 2017.

The Baxi boiler range

Baxi’s boiler range includes the following domestic boilers for purchase in the UK:

What our engineers think about the current Baxi boiler range

Brand Reputation, Quality & Performance 

Good range of flue options available

• With twin flues available, Baxi offers a good range of flue options 

Made in the UK

• UK manufactured products at sites in Preston, Norwich and Milton Keynes

Great flow rates available across the range

• There are some excellent flow rates on offer from Baxi boilers with the Baxi 624 Combi offering 10.2 l/min and the Baxi Duo-Tec 40 Combi offering a superb 16.4 l/min

Stainless steel heat exchangers used in some boilers in the range

• Boiler efficiency is increased with the use of a stainless steel heat exchanger in boilers including the Baxi Platinum Combi, Baxi 600 System, Baxi 600 Combi and the Baxi 800 Combi.  Unlike aluminium alternatives, this is more resistant to corrosion and will retain efficiency for longer. However, this is not exclusive to the Baxi range and some boilers in Baxi’s range such as the Baxi 600 Heat Only boiler have an aluminium heat exchanger. It should be noted though that there is a difference between the stainless steel used in Baxi heat exchangers and the stainless steel used in Viessmann heat exchangers, Viessmann utilises inox-radial stainless steel. This stainless steel is one grade below surgical steel and for this reason, is of a higher quality than the stainless steel that Baxi use

Overall Which? score of 54%Save

• Compared to competitors such as Worcester Bosch and Viessmann who are being awarded Which? Best Buy Status, this isn’t good and doesn’t represent great customer satisfaction

Which? Trusted Traders

• Despite not having the most favourable overall Which? score, Baxi customer service engineers have been approved by Which? Trusted Traders

Value for Money, Warranties and Efficiency 

An affordable boiler brand that offers good value for money

For the money, Baxi offers some great boilers which provide you with good flow rates and a comprehensive warranty

Comprehensive warranty

• As mentioned above, Baxi offers comprehensive warranties covering both parts and labour. However, Baxi warranties are not as straightforward as Viessmann warranties and can be confusing for customers with different terms available for different products. For instance, the Baxi 200 Combi has a 3-year parts and labour warranty, the Baxi 400 Combi has a 5-year parts and labour warranty, the Baxi 600 Combi has a 7-year parts and labour warranty, and the Baxi 800 Combi has a 10-year parts and labour warranty

Energy Saving Trust approved products

• Baxi is committed to the environment and this has been recognised with the Energy Saving Trust approving the following boilers – Duo-tec 24 Combi ERP, 124 Combi ERP and Megaflo 15 System ERP

The Viessmann boiler range

Viessmann’s boiler range includes the following domestic boilers for purchase in the UK:

Our thoughts on the current Viessmann boiler range

Brand Reputation, Quality & Performance 

All Viessmann boilers and components are manufactured in-house

• All Viessmann boilers sold in the UK and the components within them are manufactured in-house by Viessmann at their Allendorf production facility in Germany

Stainless steel heat exchangers are used in every boiler in the Viessmann range

• Viessmann is noted for the use of its patented stainless steel heat exchanger in all of its boilers. Compared to the aluminium alternatives used in some Baxi boilers and across other boiler manufacturers’ ranges, this has increased corrosion resistance at a wide range of pH levels 

Heavy investment in innovation

• Viessmann invest heavily in innovation and this is shown across its boiler range with each of the boilers featuring cutting-edge and future-proof technology

Parts widely available

• Viessmann previously let the quality of its boilers down with the availability of parts in the UK, however, this is something that they have addressed and now resolved by ensuring that parts for all of its boiler range are readily available at Plumbase stores across the UK

Some of the quietest boilers available to purchase in the UK

• With an operating volume of just 36dB, the Viessmann Vitodens 200-W is one of the quietest boilers available to purchase in the UK. To put this in perspective, 36dB is barely more than a whisper and quieter than an A-rated refrigerator. This isn’t just exclusive to the 200-W though, all of the boilers across the range has been engineered for quiet operation

Some of the most efficient boilers available to purchase in the UK

• Viessmann has some of the most efficient boilers available on the market in the UK with the Vitodens 200-W and the Vitodens 222-F both having efficiency ratings of 98%. Excellent efficiency isn’t exclusive to these boilers though, no boiler in the Viessmann range has an efficiency rating lower than 93%

• All of the boilers in Viessmann’s Vitodens range are equipped with weather compensation technology. Utilising an outdoor sensor, this works with the boiler to regulate the temperature based on the temperature dropping or rising outside. This will assist in achieving energy bill savings

Value for Money, Warranties and Efficiency 

More expensive than Baxi boilers

• Though at a higher price point, the components used within Viessmann boilers are 

of a superior quality and are all manufactured in-house by Viessmann to work together effectively 

Comprehensive parts and labour warranty

• Viessmann offers a standard 5-year parts and labour warranty across its entire range, however, this is extendable to 10 years if installed by a Viessmann trained installer

Baxi vs Viessmann Boilers – Reputation in the UK

Baxi 

Baxi’s UK accolades include:

• Operating in the UK since 1866
• Baxi Customer Service Engineers are approved by Which? Trusted Traders
• Baxi’s parent company, BDR Thermea Group reported a turnover of €1.8 billion in 2018
• Baxi is number 52 in the list of biggest private companies in the UK
• Britain’s largest employee-owned manufacturing company
• Former owner and sponsors of Preston North End, former sponsors of Aldershot Town, Smiths Racing BMW in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and professional light heavyweight boxer, Lyndon “King” Arthur

Viessmann

Viessmann’s UK accolades include:

• Operating in the UK since 1989
• Viessmann’s Vitodens domestic boiler range has been awarded Which? Best Buy status every year since 2017
• Sponsors of Glamorgan Cricket, Huddersfield Town and the Jaguar Racing Team in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship

Verdict: Baxi has greater brand recognition in the UK, having operated in this market for over a century longer than Viessmann

Baxi vs Viessmann Boiler Review and Comparison

Baxi has been operational for over 150 years.  For years, Baxi was known for the highly successful Baxi Bermuda back boiler. However, this has now been discontinued. 

Throughout its history, Baxi has gained vast experience and has developed a loyal following in the UK. The company employs around 6,400 people throughout Europe and using its brand name and other brand names of the BDR Thermea Group, it is expanding across Europe.

Viessmann has been operational since 1917, and now have over 12,000 employees across the world.  They are present in 12 countries with 23 production divisions, subsidiaries and representations in 74 countries, and 120 sales offices around the world.  

Viessmann is one of the biggest companies worldwide in the commercial heating space. Viessmann has less brand recognition in the UK due to entering the market in 1989, much later than its competitors. However, in a short period of time, with innovative solutions, high-quality internal components and long-term warranties, Viessmann has made quite an impact on the UK market.

Below, we have picked out two similar boilers from both manufacturers, and have compared them head to head.

Baxi 600 Combi vs Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35 KW)

Our team of heating engineers have compared the Baxi and Viessmann boiler ranges, and believe the Baxi 636 Combi and the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35kW) to be comparable products.

Baxi 636 Combi (36kW)

Price: From £2100 (inc. VAT)

Efficiency: 89%

Hot water flow rate: 15.0 l/min

LPG compatible: No

Operation volume: 49 dB

Dimensions: 700mm (height) x 390mm (width) x 285mm (depth)

Weight: 29.2kg

Warranty: 7-year parts and labour warranty

Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35 KW)

Price: From £2596 (inc. VAT)

Efficiency: 93%

Hot water flow rate: 14.5 l/min

LPG compatible: Yes

Operation volume: 48 dB

Dimensions: 707mm (height)  x 400mm (width)  x 350mm (depth)

Weight: 36kg

Warranty: Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer

About the Baxi 636 Combi and the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35kW)

Both of these boilers are suitable for small to medium-sized properties with up to 20 radiators and 2 bathrooms. They are of a similar size and are both suitable for installation into properties with limited space, both of them being able to fit into a cupboard. 

However, if you are looking to install a boiler into a living area or even a bedroom, the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35kW) will be a much better option due to being slightly quieter at 48 dB when being used.

Whilst the Baxi 636 Combi is cheaper than the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35kW), with the Viessmann you are paying for the quality of the components. Whilst both boilers feature a stainless steel heat exchanger, Viessmann utilises this in conjunction with parts that are all made in-house, we find that this allows for smoother operation and a lessened likelihood of something going wrong. 

On the subject of something going wrong, there is an additional win for Viessmann here, as the Vitodens 050-W (35kW) is available with up to 10 years parts and labour warranty, whilst the Baxi 636 Combi only has a 7-year parts and labour warranty. This isn’t just exclusive to the 050-W though, the entire Viessmann boiler range is available with up to 10 years parts and labour warranty.

When it comes to hot water flow rate, the Baxi 636 Combi has a slightly better flow rate at 15.0 l/min, whilst the 050-W (35kW) has a flow rate of 14.5 l/min. 

Efficiency is a big win for the 050-W (35kW) with a SEDBUK rating of 93%, whilst the Baxi 636 Combi has a rating of 89%.

Winner: Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35kW)

Due to the quality of the components and the technology employed within the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W (35kW), we believe it to be a superior boiler. This is further supported by Viessmann’s longer warranty which will provide a longer service life and the boiler’s efficiency rating which will see consumers saving on their energy bills in the long term.