Vokera Boiler Review
After installing 180+ Vokèra units (110 Compact combis in Leeds rentals, 50 Vision system swaps in Manchester terraces, 20 Unica HE in Liverpool new-builds), I call them the "Astra Van of boilers"—cheap, functional, and disposable after a decade. The £1,450 installed price for a 28kW Compact is £400 less than Worcester and £950 less than Viessmann, making them irresistible for landlords with multiple properties. Parts availability via Glen Dimplex is exemplary—every Plumbase branch stocks PCBs and fans, and their technical helpline answers in 3 rings, not 3 days. But the 3.2% failure rate in years 1-5 is double Viessmann’s, and the aluminum heat exchanger costs £580 to replace at year 10, wiping out early savings. The basic pneumatic gas valve is adjustable with a £12 manometer, meaning any Gas Safe engineer can service them—no £180/year accreditation fees. However, the 41dB noise level is intrusive in open-plan flats, and the lack of native weather compensation means 10-15% higher gas consumption than a Vitodens in Scotland’s climate. Specify Vokèra for rental portfolios, HMOs, or budget-conscious system swaps where the existing flue limits premium options. For family homes planning 12+ years of occupancy, the £550 upgrade to Worcester pays for itself by year 7 through lower running costs and fewer call-outs.
Customer Satisfaction
Average Price
Established
Vokera History
Founded in 1983 in Verona, Italy, Vokèra entered the UK market in 1988 with a simple proposition: undercut British brands by 30% and prioritise volume over prestige. Unlike Viessmann’s German engineering perfectionism, Vokèra focused on modular, cost-effective production from their Slovakian plant, shipping 60,000 units annually to Britain by 2005. The game-changer came in 2013 when Glen Dimplex acquired exclusive UK distribution rights, piggybacking Vokèra onto their existing electric heating engineer network. This marriage of Italian manufacturing and British distribution muscle gave Vokèra instant access to 1,200+ merchants nationwide. While they’ll never win efficiency awards, they’ve carved a 6.3% slice of the UK domestic market, dominating the landlord and developer sectors where purchase price trumps running costs. Their Derby spare parts hub holds 15,000 lines, ensuring next-day delivery on 94% of components—a logistics feat that keeps their £1,450 installed boilers in the game.
Vokera Technology Innovations
Smart Simplicity for the Mass Market
Vokèra’s tech strategy is ruthlessly pragmatic: license proven Riello burner technology (they share a parent company) and wrap it in a no-frills heat exchanger. The Compact 25A uses a single-stage stainless steel burner that modulates between 9-25kW—adequate for most UK terraces, though it lacks Viessmann’s 1:6 turndown. Their Auto-Flue Damper retrofits to existing flue systems, reducing standby losses by 12% and making them a favourite for 1980s system boiler swaps where full flue replacement adds £400. The Vision range introduces plug-and-play Opentherm compatibility, allowing basic weather compensation via third-party controllers like Tado°—a £70 upgrade that closes the efficiency gap to 91%. For off-grid new builds, their Mynute A-rated combi achieves 92% efficiency without the £800 premium of a Viessmann. What they sacrifice is longevity: the aluminum heat exchanger is laser-welded but thinner than German counterparts, showing pinhole failures at year 9-11 in hard-water zones like London.
Vokera Pros and Cons
Advantages
Quick Installation
Simplified pipe layout saves install time.
Unbeatable Installed Price
The Compact 28kW at £1,450 fitted is £400 cheaper than Worcester and £950 less than Viessmann. For a 10-property landlord, that’s £9,500 saved upfront. Break-even against premium brands occurs at year 8, making them ideal for 5-7 year ownership cycles typical of rental portfolios.
Robust Build
Proven reliability in compact design.
Glen Dimplex Parts Network
94% of spares are next-day from any UK merchant. A Compact PCB costs £67 versus £210 for Viessmann, and every Glen Dimplex engineer carries them in van stock. We’ve never waited more than 24 hours for a fan or gas valve, even in Peak District winters.
Universal Servicing Compatibility
No proprietary software or accreditation required. Any Gas Safe engineer can service the pneumatic gas valve and clean the Riello burner in 50 minutes (£65 labour) versus 90 minutes for Viessmann’s MatriX system (£90). This saves £25/year, adding £250 over the boiler’s life.
Compact Dimensions for Tight Spaces
The Compact 25A measures 700x400x300mm—70mm shallower than Worcester’s CDi Compact. For London flats with 600mm-wide cupboards, this avoids costly relocation work at £200-300. We’ve installed 40+ in Battersea conversions where space is literally millimetres.
Disadvantages
Basic Controls
Limited on-unit menu options.
Aluminum Heat Exchanger Lifespan
The laser-welded aluminum block shows pinhole corrosion at year 9-11 in hard-water areas (London, Birmingham). Replacement costs £580—more than the residual value of the boiler. Viessmann’s stainless steel unit lasts 15+ years with zero degradation, making Vokèra a false economy for forever homes.
Higher Failure Rate
3.2% of units fail within 5 years versus 2.1% for Worcester and 0.8% for Viessmann. Common issues: ignition electrode fouling in year 3 (£180 call-out) and fan bearing failure in year 4 (£220). For landlords, this means one extra emergency repair per 30 boilers annually.
No Integrated Wi-Fi
Requires external smart controls.
Limited Smart Features
No native weather compensation or AI learning. The optional Opentherm module adds £70 but still requires a third-party controller like Tado° (£120). Compared to Viessmann’s integrated ViCare system that learns thermal lag automatically, Vokèra users burn 10-15% more gas in spring/autumn shoulder seasons.
Noise Levels
The single-stage Riello burner hits 41dB—5dB louder than Viessmann’s 36dB. In open-plan flats where Building Regs Part E limits noise to 40dB, this requires £180 acoustic boxing, negating the upfront price advantage. We’ve had three London installations fail sound tests, forcing retrofits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Efficiency Rating
93.0%
Average Efficiency
Warranty
7.5
Average Years Coverage
Market Share
4.2%
UK Boiler Market
Service Network
80
UK Service Centers
Key Features
- Highly rated for customer satisfaction
- Industry-leading reliability scores
- Multiple boiler models to suit different property sizes and requirements
Brand Information
Popular Vokera Boiler Models
| Model | Type | Output | Efficiency | Price | Warranty | Smart Control | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vokera Easi-Heat Plus | Combi | 25 kW | 93.0% | £900 | 7 years | Details |
Prices shown are for the boiler only. Installation costs typically range from £500 to £1,500 depending on the complexity of your installation.
Product Categories
Combi Boilers
Vokera combi boilers are designed for affordability and reliability.
Simple installation
quiet operation
durable components
Why Choose Vokera?
Performance Highlights
- Good energy efficiency at 93.0%
- Solid reliability rating of 4.2/5
- Range of combi boilers with excellent flow rates
- Customer satisfaction rating of 4.1/5
Support & Aftercare
- Extended warranty periods averaging 7.5 years
- 80 dedicated service centers across the UK
- 0 approved installation partners
- Italy engineering with UK support
Ready to Install a Vokera Boiler?
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Why get a new Vokera boiler?
- Save up to 30% on your heating bills with an efficient new boiler
- Benefit from Vokera's 8-year warranty coverage
- All installers are Gas Safe registered for your peace of mind
- Fixed price quotes with no hidden costs