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Last Updated on November 15, 2023

Ideal vs Viessmann Boilers

Ideal Heating and Viessmann are two established boiler manufacturers, both offering boiler ranges to the UK market. As an independent boiler installation company, we have taken a look at the current boiler ranges from the two manufacturers.

In this guide, we compare these ranges based on the following criteria:

Product range
Quality of components
Customer service
Accolades
Market share

More information:

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Viessmann vs Ideal – A Guide >

About Ideal Heating

Founded as the National Radiator Company in 1906 in Kingston upon Hull, the company is now known as Ideal Heating and is today part of the French HVAC company, Groupe Atlantic.

Ideal is noted for producing one of the first British boilers, the Ideal Cookanheat, a boiler that was revolutionary in combining an open fire, central heating boiler, cooking oven and hot cupboard all in one unit. When this unit launched in the early 1920s, the company also pioneered taking boilers from being installed in basements and instead installing them in kitchens.

From the 1920s onwards, Ideal led the way in introducing central heating into lower-priced homes in the UK and is noted for its Autocrat range in the 1950s, Elite range in the 1960s, and Concord range in the 1970s – which was one of the best selling and most award-winning models of all time due to its space-saving dimensions, advanced engineering and cutting edge controls. In more recent years, Ideal Heating has been noted for its Classic and Logic boiler ranges.

All of the boilers Ideal offer to the UK market are manufactured at its Hull manufacturing plant, where they have been since the company’s inception in 1906.

Ideal Heating has been the recipient of many recent awards including Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended products in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and Energy Saving Trust Endorsed Products.

About Viessmann

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

Viessmann entered the UK market in 1989 and has its UK head office in Telford, Shropshire. From this office, the company offers a comprehensive product range including gas boilers, oil boilers, air and ground source heat pumps, steam boilers, biomass boilers and combined heat and power generation.

In addition to the UK and Germany, Viessmann also operates in 72 countries across the world.

In the UK, Viessmann trains approximately 2,500 installers, contractors, specifiers and architects on its products each year.

All of the boilers Viessmann offer for sale to the UK market are manufactured and assembled at Viessmann’s manufacturing facility at its Allendorf headquarters.

Each year since 2017, Viessmann’s Vitodens range has been awarded Which? Best Buy status.

Viessmann has also been the recipients of global awards including the following:

Red Dot Award: Product Design
Trophée des Usines
iF product design award
Number 1 Trade Partner
Good Practice Energy Efficiency

Review and comparison of the current Ideal and Viessmann boiler ranges

Ideal boiler range 2021

Ideal’s boiler range in 2021 comprises combi boilers, system boilers and heat only boilers. Below, we have taken a look at the technical specifications of each boiler in the current range.

Boiler Name	Fuel Type	Available in:	Efficiency	Hot water flow rate	Warranty	Price (Installed)
Logic Max Combi	Gas	24kW, 30kW, 35kW	91%	9.9 l/min (24kW), 12.4 l/min (30kW, 14.5 l/min (35kW)	10-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £1800 (inc. VAT)
Vogue Max Combi	Gas	26kW, 32kW, 40kW	91%	10.6 l/min (26kW), 13.1 l/min (32kW), 16.4 l/min (40kW)	10-year parts and labour warranty, increased to 12-years if installed and serviced by a Max accredited installer, available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £2135 (inc. VAT)
Vogue Gen2 Combi	Gas	26kW, 32kW, 40kW	91%	10.6 l/min (26kW), 13.1 l/min (32kW), 16.4 l/min (40kW)	8-year warranty as standard, 10-year parts and labour warranty when installed with an Ideal System Filter. Parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £2300 (inc. VAT)
Logic+ Combi	Gas	24kW, 30kW, 35kW	91.1%	9.9l/min (24kW), 12.4l/min (30kW), 14.5l/min (35kW)	7-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £1800 (inc. VAT)
Logic Max System	Gas	15kW, 18kW, 24kW, 30kW	91.%	N/A	10-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £1950 (inc. VAT)
Vogue Max System	Gas	15kW, 18kW, 26kW, 32kW	88.9%	N/A	10-year warranty as standard, increased to 12-years when installed and serviced by a Max accredited installer, available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £2100 (inc. VAT)
Vogue Gen2 System	Gas	15kW, 18kW, 26kW, 32kW	88.9%	N/A	8-year warranty as standard, 10-year warranty when installed with an Ideal System Filter. Parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £2250 (inc. VAT)
Logic+ System	Gas	15kW, 18kW, 24kW, 30kW	89.4%	N/A	7-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £2100 (inc. VAT)
Logic Max Heat	Gas	12kW, 15kW, 18kW, 24kW, 30kW	89.4%	N/A	10-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £1930 (inc. VAT)
Logic+ Heat	Gas	12kW, 15kW, 18kW, 24kW, 30kW	89.4%	N/A	7-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually. 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger when installed with an Ideal System Filter and registered with Ideal	From £1880 (inc. VAT)
Mexico HE	Gas	15kW, 18kW, 24kW, 30kW, 36Kw	90.4%	N/A	2-year parts and labour warranty available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually	From £2100 (inc. VAT)

Viessmann boiler range 2021

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

Boiler Name	Fuel Type	Available in:	Efficiency	Hot water flow rate	Warranty	Price (Installed)
Vitodens 050-W	Gas	29kW, 35kW	93%	12.3 l/min (29kW), 14.5 l/min (35kW)	Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer	From £2100 (inc. VAT)
Vitodens 100-W	Gas	26kW, 30kW, 35kW	94%	10 l/min (26kW), 12 l/min (30kW), 14.5 l/min (35kW)	Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer	From £2500 (inc. VAT)
Vitodens 200-W	Gas	26kW, 30kW, 35kW	98%	10.3 l/min (26kW), 12.3 l/min (30kW), 14.4 l/min (35kW)	Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer	From £3300 (inc. VAT)
Vitodens 111-W	Gas	26kW, 35kW	94%	18 l/min (26kW), 20 l/min (35kW)	Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer	From £3300 (inc. VAT)
Vitodens 222-F	Gas	19kW, 26kW, 35kW	98%	18.2 l/min (19kW), 23 l/min (26kW)	Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer	From £3600 (inc. VAT)

Comparison of a similar boiler from each manufacturer’s range

To get more granular in our comparison of the Ideal Heating and Viessmann boiler ranges, we have undertaken a side by side comparison of a similar boiler from each of the ranges. The boilers we are comparing here are the Ideal Vogue Max Combi 32kW and the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W 30kW.

Ideal Vogue Max Combi 32kW

Price (installed): From £2449 (inc. VAT)

Manufacturer	Ideal
Model	Vogue Max Combi
Condensing	Yes
Efficiency Rating	91%
Energy Efficiency Class	A-Rated
LPG Compatible	Yes
Warranty	10-year warranty, increased to 12-years if installed and serviced by a Max accredited installer, available when registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually
Central Heating Max. Output	26kW
Mounting	Wall-Mounted
Weight	33.8kg
Dimensions	740mm (Height) x 445mm (Width) x 330mm (Depth)

Ideal Vogue Max Combi 32kW Features

Suitable for homes with up to 15 radiators, one bathroom and en-suite
Utilises brass components
Easy to read pressure gauge
Compatible with Ideal smart controls
Compatible with Ideal’s weather compensation kit
3.5in full colour large backlit LCD display with plain text and graphics
Frost protection
Energy Saving Trust Endorsed Product

The Vogue Max Combi is a premium offering from Ideal. If you are familiar with older boilers from Ideal, you will see that they have had a major overhaul in terms of their boiler designs.

Beyond the aesthetics of their boilers, Ideal has also invested heavily in technology to increase the efficiency of the range. This investment has paid off with the Vogue Max Combi becoming an Energy Saving Trust Endorsed Product.

Available in 26kW, 32kW and 40kW outputs, the Vogue Max Combi we are looking at here is the 32kW.

This version of the boiler offers a great hot water flow rate of 13.1 l/min when tested at 35℃. This flow rate and the higher output of the boiler makes it an ideal solution for larger family homes such as a 3-bedroom semi-detached home with one bathroom, en-suite and up to 15 radiators.

The reason this boiler is classed as a premium offering as it utilises brass components, whilst other Ideal boilers utilise plastic components. The problem being plastic components are not as durable and are more likely to fail. Ideal describes these brass components as the best components available.

The main premium component utilised in this boiler is the heat exchanger. Unlike other boilers in the Ideal range, the Vogue Max Combi is fitted with a stainless steel exchanger. This is a marked improvement as stainless steel massively outperforms aluminium, with aluminium heat exchangers being prone to corrosion, which over time has a massive impact on the efficiency of a boiler. For this reason, we are pleased to see that a stainless steel heat exchanger is being used.

Measuring 740mm (height) x 445mm (width) x 330mm (depth), the Vogue Max Combi is a larger boiler and for this reason is only suitable for installation in an area with ample space such as a larger airing cupboard, utility room or a kitchen. Due to the size, it won’t fit in a kitchen cupboard as some other combi boilers do.

To increase the efficiency of this boiler, it is compatible with Ideal’s weather compensation kit. This intelligent addition to the heating system allows the boiler to measure the temperature outside and adjust the inside temperature accordingly.

In addition to this, the Vogue Max Combi is compatible with Ideal’s RF Electronic Thermostat, allowing for wireless communication with the boiler and allowing you to further increase the efficiency of your heating system.

In terms of warranty, the warranty on the Vogue Max Combi is excellent, coming with a 10-year warranty as standard, extendable to 12 years. However, to extend this warranty, the installation of the boiler is subject to certain specific terms and conditions, namely the boiler having to be installed and serviced by a Max Accredited installer, registered within 30 days of installation and serviced annually.

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Viessmann Vitodens 100-W 30kW

Price (installed): From £2526 (inc. VAT)

Manufacturer	Viessmann
Model	Vitodens 100-W Gas Boiler
Condensing	Yes
Efficiency Rating	94%
Energy Efficiency Class	A-Rated
LPG Compatible	Yes
Warranty	Up to 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer
Central Heating Max. Output	30kW
Mounting	Wall-mounted
Weight	38kg
Dimensions	700mm (Height) x 400mm (Width) x 350mm (Depth)

Viessmann Vitodens 100-W Features

Suitable for homes with up to 15 radiators, one bathroom and en-suite
Ideal for installing in living areas due to an operating volume of just 35dB
Combined PRV (Pressure Release Valve) and condensate connection
Built-in Shock Arrestors for quiet operation, and to avoid water hammer problems
User-friendly control via backlit LCD touchscreen
Compatible with smart thermostats
Straightforward access from the front, so no need to leave space at the side for maintenance
Very easy to site and install for the engineer
Awarded Which? Best Buy status every year since 2017

The Viessmann Vitodens 100-W has surged in popularity since first being awarded Which? Best Buy status in 2017, it has since gone on to be awarded this status every year since.

Like the Vogue Max Combi, the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W is available in multiple outputs, these are 26kW, 30kW and 35kW. Viessmann does not offer a 32kW output on the Vitodens 100-W as Ideal does with the Vogue Max Combi, so we are looking at the 30kW, the nearest comparable product.

This version of the boiler offers a great hot water flow rate of 12 l/min when tested at 35℃. So a little less than the Vogue Max Combi 32kW. However, this boiler is still suitable for similar properties than the Vogue Max Combi 32kW, i.e homes such as a 3-bedroom semi-detached home with one bathroom, en-suite and up to 15 radiators.

Whilst with a 94% efficiency rating, this boiler is one of the highest efficiency condensing gas boilers available to purchase in the UK currently. A marked difference from the 91% offered by the Vogue Max Combi 32kW, even without using efficiency-boosting technology such as smart thermostats.

As with all Viessmann boilers in the range and like the Vogue Max Combi, the Viessmann Vitodens 100-W is equipped with a stainless steel heat exchanger. Viessmann is renowned for the quality of their heat exchangers, as they are constructed from Inox – the highest grade of stainless steel available. This greatly contributes to the efficiency of the Vitodens 100-W and ensures safe operation and long service life. It is no surprise that Viessmann offers a 10-year guarantee against leaks resulting from corrosion on the stainless steel heat exchanger.

As the internal components are built to last, we expect you to be able to enjoy trouble-free winters for the next decade at the very minimum if choosing the Vitodens 110-W.

In terms of warranty, the Vitodens 100-W comes with an excellent 10-year comprehensive warranty when installed by a Viessmann trained installer.

To find out our more detailed thoughts on this boiler, see our Viessmann Vitodens 100-W review.

After-Sales Service

With Ideal being a UK headquartered company and having a history spanning more than a century in this country, you may expect its after-sales service to be of a higher standard than what Viessmann offers. However, in our experience, this is not the case.

Whilst a bigger company in Europe and with its global headquarters in Germany, Viessmann does have a strong presence in the UK since opening its UK head office and distribution centre in Telford in 1989. From here, all UK customer service operations are provided.

From its own admission though, Viessmann did initially have issues with the availability of parts for its boilers in the UK. However, this is something that the company has worked hard to remedy.

Viessmann parts are now stocked all over the UK at every Plumbase branch, and their network of engineers are widespread across the UK. This means if your boiler runs into any problems, parts are readily available and a Viessmann engineer can be at your doorstep within 24 – 48 hours.

As you would expect, we have never encountered any issues with the availability of parts for Ideal boilers – with these again being available at Plumbase branches, whilst also being available from Ideal themselves and Wolseley branches across the UK. However, whilst the availability of parts is good, we have come across several complaints of poor customer service which is a cause for concern.

Our Verdict

Both Ideal Heating and Viessmann offer excellent boiler options. However, it should be noted that Ideal do have some more affordable boiler options which as a premium brand Viessmann do not offer comparable products for. Despite this, like the Vogue Max Combi and the Vitodens 100-W reviewed above, the two brands do have several boiler options which can be benchmarked against one another.

In terms of choosing one brand over another, we are more in favour of the Viessmann brand. This comes down to several factors, these are:

Efficiency

Viessmann offers much greater levels of efficiency across models in its 2021 boiler range

Quality of components

This is a close one as Ideal has invested heavily in the quality of components in several of its boilers such as the Vogue Max Combi. However, whilst this boiler features a stainless steel heat exchanger and brass components not plastic components, these high-quality components aren’t found in all Ideal boilers. Whilst in the case of Viessmann, all boilers bearing the Viessmann brand feature the same high-quality brass components and importantly, all feature the same stainless steel Inox-Radial heat exchanger

All components manufactured by Viessmann

In addition to the quality of the components utilised by Viessmann, all of the components in Viessmann boilers are produced by Viessmann in the same manufacturing facility in Allendorf, Germany. Ideal, on the other hand, utilises parts from third-party suppliers in many of its boilers. This means they are not engineered to optimally work together as the components in Viessmann boilers are

Investment in innovation

Over the past few years, Viessmann has invested heavily in innovation. This shows with the futureproof technologies available in the current boiler range such as integration with renewable energy sources, weather compensation technology and integration with smart thermostat products

Engineered for ease of servicing

Viessmann’s investment in innovation has seen excellent improvements in the configuration of its boilers, making them easier to service than Ideal boilers. Whilst this will only affect the engineer whilst the boiler is in warranty, as soon as the boiler is out of warranty, it will result in higher labour costs should an Ideal boiler develop a fault out of the warranty period

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