Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i review

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i boiler review

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i was a hugely popular boiler from this highly respected heating manufacturer.

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Sadly, this is a model that’s been retired by the manufacturer. But, the great news is that it’s been replaced by a fantastic new boiler, the Worcester Bosch 4000, which provides a great alternative solution.

That all said, it’s still really likely that you could move into a home where the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i is fitted so. you’re probably curious as to what features this boiler offers.

In this boiler review, we’re going to start off with a look at the key facts and figures. Then we’ll take a look at what type of home the 30i boiler replacement is a great fit for along with a closer look at its main features.

Key facts and figures for the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i

Boiler type: Available as a best combi boiler and a best system boiler

Efficiency rating: A+ ErP rating

Warranty: Up to 12 years when purchased through Boiler Central

Heating output: 24kW

Hot water output: 30W

Flow rate: 12.3 l/m

Dimensions: Height -690mm, width – 390mm depth -280mm

Seasonal efficiency: 89.6%

Suitability: Medium-sized homes with up to three bedrooms and one bathroom

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Who is Worcester Bosch?

This is a company that consistently comes out on top when consumers are asked about trusted and best boiler brands in the heating market. But it’s not only the general public that thinks they’re a trustworthy brand, and that’s because the royal family have also given their seal of approval.

Worcester Bosch holds a Royal Warrant having supplied and installed heating products for Her Majesty The Queen.

We reckon that’s a pretty good recommendation! But it’s not only the Royal Family in England who rate them.

This is a company that are frequent recipient of the Best Buy award and they top the Which? annual boiler survey, not to mention the fantastic feedback they get on boiler review websites.

Worcester Bosch was originally set up in Worcester in England, where they still have manufacturing and a head office. This makes them a great option for UK homes

Are combi boilers the best option?

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i is available as both a combi boiler and a system boiler. So that might make you wonder whether a combi is the best option for you.

Well, the answer is, that it could be. That’s because either the combi or system Greenstar 30i could be the right one for you depending on your heating and hot water requirements.

So, before we leap into looking at all the features of the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i, we’re going to take a quick look at the best situation, for each of these types of boilers along with their pros and cons.

Combi boiler

A combi boiler heats water as and when you need it. So that means that you don’t need a hot water cylinder or a water tank. That makes them perfect for smaller homes and a great solution for flats and apartments. And with so many models available, there are now combi boilers packed with features and available at a great price.

Combi boilers are incredibly efficient. With no storage of preheated hot water, there’s no opportunity for the loss of heat. But, the combi boiler can struggle if hot water is needed from more than one outlet at the same time. That said, there are more powerful combis coming onto the market along with some models that do incorporate a hot water storage tank.

System boiler

A system boiler also takes its water supply directly from the mains so that then means that you don’t need a cold water tank.

Once it’s heated the water, it’s then stored in a hot water cylinder, usually in an airing cupboard, until you need it. With that pre-heated supply, a system boiler can happily deal with hot water demands coming from two bathrooms at exactly the same time.

System boilers are also compatible with Worcester Bosch’s Greenskies solar panels, a great way to push those energy efficiency levels even higher!

On the downside, system boilers may suffer from heat loss when the cylinder isn’t properly insulated. Then if you do use up all the stored hot water, you’re going to have to wait a while until there’s a fresh supply.

Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i functionality

Simple controls

Many boiler manufacturers have gone down the route of more being better when it comes to boiler displays. However, sometimes the key to success comes from keeping everything nice and simple. And that’s exactly what Worcester Bosch has decided to do with the Greenstar 30i controls.

The Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i makes it incredibly simple to make adjustments to the boiler and to quickly see any error codes should there be a problem.

Fits in a standard kitchen cupboard

So many of us are struggling for space in our homes and when you have a growing family then the pressure can really be on. And that’s not just for bedrooms it’s also for storage in the kitchen and utility rooms.

The compact size of the Bosch Greenstar 30i combi means that it fits into standard wall-mounted kitchen cupboards. That makes it incredibly easy for installation and means that you could hide the boiler away by simply adding the cupboard door.

Condensate discharge resilient to freezing up to -15’C

One of the most common issues with boilers during colder months is the freezing up of condensate pipes.

When this happens the condensate discharge that comes from a boiler freeze as it’s discharged to an outside drain. That then means that the boiler can no longer function safely and so it shuts down until the problem can be fixed.

And let’s face it, the last thing you want when it’s freezing outside, is to be without hot water and heating. That’s why the Worcester Bosch 30i has been designed so that the condensate liquid keeps on flowing right down to temperatures right down to -15’C.

Low energy pump

We think that we can probably all agree that the best boiler is one that uses the minimum amount of energy to keep us warm in our homes.

After all, that’s going to reduce not only gas use but also reduce electrical usage (yes all boilers use a little electricity!) When we do that then prices keep low and our impact on the environment is minimised.

So, when the Bosch Greenstar 30i combi boiler was launched with their low energy pump, it provided yet another reason why it got fantastic feedback on boiler review sites and quickly became one of their most popular boilers.

A+ ErP rating

To get an ErP rating, boilers and other energy products have to pass a series of rigorous tests. The Worcester Bosch 30i has achieved the top rating of A+ meaning that it has excellent outputs and flow rates with the highest levels of efficiency.

So that means that even before the installation takes place, you know that you’re going to be able to heat your home and hot water in the most economical way.

Compatible with the Worcester Bosch EasyControl system

The Worcester Bosch EasyControl system is an internet-connected smart thermostat that controls both the central heating output and the hot water.

This means that you can decide what time you’d like the heating to come on and switch off along with which rooms you’d like to heat, all from an app on a smart device.

But sometimes, the ‘expert’ has a better idea of what we really need. And that’s where this system really comes in. That’s because EasyControl can anticipate your needs, your routines and even when you are home. In return, that means lower electrical usage and lower energy bills.

While there are now several different smart thermostats, EasyControl has been specially designed specifically for their own range of new boiler replacement quote options including the Worcester Bosch 30i combi boiler.

Boiler Plus legislation

When you install Bosch EasyControl with any of the Worcester Bosch combi boilers, they then become compliant with the new Boiler Plus legislation. Implemented in April 2018 the aim of Boiler Plus is to improve the efficiency of home heating systems by regulating and improving the way in which they use energy.

This has meant that a new boiler that’s fitted since the implementation date must have a minimum ErP (energy-related products) efficiency of 92%. They also need to have controls for both temperature and timing for hot water and central heating.

If you have a combi boiler installation, then they also have to meet one of four additional requirements.

1. Load compensation – functionality to modulate the boiler flow temperature based on the temperature of the room.
2. Weather compensation – to be able to modulate the flow temperature from the boiler based on the outside air temperature.
3. Smart control – to provide automation and optimisation such as the EasyControl system fitted on the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i combi boiler
4. PFGHRD (Passive Flue Gas Heat Recovery Device)

Warranty details

When you have a warranty on your heating system, you can relax knowing that if there should be a problem, then you simply call out the engineers. On the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30i, there are ways in which you can extend the warranty period, providing you with an extended period of cover.

Five years warranty cover

This is the standard warranty offered on a Worcester combi boiler

Seven years warranty cover

When you have a Greenstar System Filter installed alongside your boiler it protects the heating system from contamination. This then extends the warranty up to 7 years.

Ten years warranty cover

When your boiler installation is undertaken by a Worcester Bosch Accredited Installer and you have a Worcester Bosch Greenstar system filter fitted, then the warranty goes up to 10 years.

Twelve years warranty cover

Fancy twelve years of worry-free central heating and hot water? We’re currently offering an amazing twelve years of cover on Worcester Bosch boilers!

We’ve provided a detailed article on Worcester Bosch boiler prices to help you with your research for the best boiler at a great price. But we recommend getting a fixed price and a personalised new boiler quote. That way you’ll get excellent advice and could have your new boiler installed within days!

Why do I need a Worcester accredited installer for my new boiler?

For an engineer to become an accredited installer with Worcester Bosch is not an easy process. There are three key elements:

Be a gas safe registered engineer.

Both the installation and then having your boiler serviced annually, can only be undertaken by a gas safe registered engineer. You can also check the cost of boiler service beforehand to be sure you know how much you may be paying and what for.

This legal requirement ensures that only those engineers who have been through in-depth training and accreditation can carry out a gas safe installation of a new boiler or an annual service.

Be registered with OFTEC

OFTEC stands for the Oil Firing Technical Association. Although not a legal requirement it recognises installers who are approved to install and maintain solid fuel, oil and renewable energy heating equipment.

Attend training with Worcester Bosch

Then, the engineer needs to attend product training at the Worcester Bosch headquarters. This ensures that they are competent to fit your new boiler whether that’s a Bosch Greenstar 30i combi boiler or one of the new models in the range.

Alternatives to the Greenstar 30i

Now that you cannot get the Worcester Bosch 30i anymore, you’ll probably want to know about the best alternatives that you can get instead. Well, as we already mentioned at the start, the Worcester Bosch 4000 is the perfect option to get instead, as it is reliable, efficient and technologically advanced.

If you’re not swayed by Worcester Bosch and its boilers, there are also other top manufacturers that produce boilers to suit your needs. If that is the case, then perhaps the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W is a good alternative to get, but just available as a combi boiler. This boiler is energy efficient, long-lasting and has great warranty, making it an excellent choice.

Next steps

As we mentioned at the start of this guide, the Worcester Bosch 30i combi boiler is no longer available for new installations. So, that then means that you’re still on the hunt for the perfect heating system for your home.

That makes right now a brilliant time to get a fixed price new boiler quote. We’ll select a range of boilers that meet all your requirements and you can even have next day installation!