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Gas engineer approved installer schemes | Worcester Bosch | Vaillant | Baxi | Viessmann

26/03/2019

Jo Alsop

Heating Hero

The Heating Hub

Many manufacturers run accredited installer schemes. They are benefits for consumers, but they are not reliable indicators of competency

 

What are approved or accredited installer schemes?

A number of boiler brands run ‘Approved’ or ‘Accredited’ installer schemes, where by a gas safe engineer can undergo additional training in a particular make of boiler and become approved by the boiler manufacturer. The advantages are usually longer warranty periods for the consumer.

We explore the nature of these schemes and the pros and cons for you. It is important to note that boiler manufacturers do not currently teach correct heating system design principles as part of their training. 99% of installers have not been trained to set up a condensing gas boiler to run at its higher efficiencies. 

What is the point of Approved Installer schemes?

It is important for us as consumers to remember that gas engineers will not learn about the bespoke installation requirements of different boilers from their industry training, for this they need boiler manufacturer product training. Approved Installer schemes are primarily a way for each boiler manufacturer to improve the installation standards of their boilers by offering specific training on their boiler models to gas safe registered engineers.

Most boiler manufacturers offer free, optional training on their boilers to encourage better installation and maintenance standards. Five have gone a step further and set up ‘approved installer schemes’ or ‘accredited installer schemes’ (all the same thing) that make training a mandatory requirement of membership.

Approved installer schemes are open to any independent installer. In return for a number of member benefits such as business support, a dedicated technical hotline and extended 10 year warranties to their customers, they must attend the manufacturers’ training courses.

The benefits to manufacturers are: 1) They achieve a better take up of their boiler training courses than those that only offer free training. 2) They cultivate loyalty to their brand from their network and, in doing so, hope to sell more boilers.

We as homeowners also stand to benefit from these schemes. 1) We benefit from better installation standards by using a fitter trained in the boilers they offer. 2) We get a free extended warranty from a local, installer.

*Consumer warning*

The accreditation itself is not sign a competency, only that the installer has undertaken some training in exchange for the benefits of membership. Our research has found that 99% of installers have not been trained in condensing gas boiler set up and therefore never make the necessary changes to the boiler to achieve 90%+ boiler efficiencies. For more on the industry failings see our blog: Soaring gas prices expose the real cost of boiler inefficiency

Approved Installer Schemes by Manufacturer

The main points to note are:

  • Five manufacturers run approved installer schemes: Vaillant, Worcester Bosch, Glow Worm, Viessmann and Baxi.
  • Of those five, Vaillant, Worcester and Viessmann give extend warranties or guarantees via their network that are NOT conditional on using one of their approved installers for annual servicing.
  • Glow Worm offer a 15 year warranty on one or two of their boilers, but it is conditional on using Vaillant, who will be more expensive, to service the boiler every year.
  • Baxi run an approved installer scheme but do not make their 10 year warranties exclusive to their member network. In theory any Gas Safe registered installer can fit the boiler and get a 10 year warranty, but they may not have undergone any Baxi product training

Approved installer schemes by manufacturer

Boiler Manufacturer Worcester Bosch Vaillant Glow Worm Viessmann Baxi
Name of Installer Scheme Worcester Accredited Installer Vaillant Advanced Installer Club Energy Installer Viessmann Trained Installer Baxi Approved Installer
Requirements of Membership Worcester Product Training Vaillant Product Training Glow Worm Product Training Viessmann Product Training Baxi Product Training
Customer Benefits Free extended Boiler Guarantees of up to 10 years. Annual service is required, but this can be undertaken by any Gas Safe Registered Engineer Free extended Boiler Guarantees of up to 10 years. Annual service is required, but this can be undertaken by any Gas Safe Registered Engineer Up to 15 years of warranty on a couple of models - must be serviced annually by the Vaillant Group. Free extended Boiler Guarantees of up to 10 years. Annual service is required, but this can be undertaken by any Gas Safe Registered Engineer Some boilers automatically come with 10 years - they don't have to be fitted by an Approved Installer
Optional or Mandatory Training Require Engineers trained in specific boilers. Engineers must undergo training on their products to be a member AND to offer longer guarantees Engineers trained in specific boilers. Engineers must undergo training on their products to be a member AND to offer longer guarantees Engineers trained in specific boilers. Engineers must undergo training on their products to be a member AND to offer longer guarantees Engineers trained in specific boilers. Engineers must undergo training on their products to be a member AND to offer longer Warranties Engineers trained in specific boilers. Engineers must undergo training on their products to be a member

Advantages and disadvantages for homeowners

Advantages of using an approved installer

  • You get a free extended warranty or guarantee on your boiler from the manufacturer for up to 10 years
  • You can use a local independent company with confidence
  • You know your fitter will have undergone specific training in the boiler they are fitting and have the support of the manufacturer

Disadvantage of using an approved installer

  • Some installers will be accredited with only one or two manufacturers and will tend to promote their boilers over others
  • If you want your ‘regular heating person’ to fit, for example, a Vaillant, and he or she is not an approved installer then you will not get an extended warranty/guarantee.
  • They can create a false sense of security over the competency of the installer to set up the boiler correctly.

 

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