I can answer my own question. I asked it of Worcester Bosch and they replied to say Opentherm is not compatible with their boiler. They have their own system.Originally Posted by G4RHL
The app for the Worcester Bosch control system which does more or less the same as Evohome is miles and miles ahead of the Evohome app for appearance and usability. It is like comparing a BBC Master computer with floppy discs to a present day desktop.
As an addendum to the post the Worcester Bosch installer who has quoted for the work, including adding my Evohome system to a new boiler, tells me Opentherm does work on a Worcester Bosch boiler! Who to believe? My understanding has been it does work but an interface is needed to make it so at a cost of about £34. I am sure somebody here will know the answer to this. Probably better than Worcester Bosch do!
Thanks, I was certain I had seen something about this somewhere.
Reading various threads and reviews, I wonder if 'forcing' a Worcester-Bosch boiler to use Opentherm is worthwhile?
I am inclined to agree. One would expect a manufacturer’s purpose designed system a better route to take than an add on converter to make it compatible with Opentherm. But then Evohome is good and works! Two other aspects are the WB system works in HomeKit, my wife likes the idea of asking Siri to change temperatures rather than using an app, and an approved WB installer is close at hand if things went wrong and she is in her own the Grim Reaper having taken me.
Since I started this post my replacement boiler decision has been made and I have elected for an Intergas combi as there is now one of their approved installers 10 miles away from me. I have read so much good about Intergas, here and elsewhere, it seemed it was becoming a no brainer. Will place the order for the boiler tomorrow plus the OpenTherm relay to replace my BDR91. It looks easy to install the OpenTherm wired into the designated points in the Intergas boiler it being configured for OpenTherm.
I have spent an age considering an electric, dry, system but affordability both with respect to capital cost and running cost ruled it out. Then it was boilers and my choice came down to Worcester Bosch and Intergas. The WB 8000 Life 35kW combi or initially the Intergas Xtreme 36kW combi. The Intergas boilers are cheaper than WB’s. Further digging sent me toward the Intergas Xclusive 36kW for the only differences between that and the Xtreme appear to be the price, the Xclusive is cheaper, and the Xtreme has a pre-heater of sorts for DMH. With WB I contacted them and they advised OpenTherm does not work with their boiler (I believe that is not correct but it does need an interface) plus they push their own smart system and if I went that route it’s another £600 approx to replace a perfectly good Evohome system.
The Intergas range in a way seems to be made with something like Evohome in mind. But as said I could not ignore the accolades Intergas has had for some years now. Even with a professional independent firm who advise on systems to install, but do not supply or install themselves, Intergas was one of only three boilers they would recommend. WB was not one of the other two. I believe the same firm has put the Intergas combi as top dog for 2021. But as said you can’t simply ignore what others have said in these pages! The installer I am using really enthused about Intergas having visited their factory with cynical mind 5 years ago, coming away convinced and impressed such that he installs them and prefers them to WB.
Let’s hope I am right!
I will have a redundant BDR91! Three in fact. The one that controls the CH at present, the DHW one and a spare that came with my T87RF thermostat some years ago and not needed. I should also have a better heated house. May keep she who must be obeyed happy!
Will be interested to hear how you get on. I’m still struggling to find anyone with experience of Evohome/Opentherm/Intergas and who also bothers to reply to emails... considering other brands now which is a shame because it does sound like evohome and Intergas are the perfect combination for someone who knows what they’re doing.
My researches tell me that with OpenTherm the three work together but it is early days and also early days for the software upgrade Honeywell/Resideomare effecting to our Control Panels. However, even without OpenTherm my choice would have been Intergas.
Looking at the instructions adding the OpenTherm Bridge for the Intergas boiler seems to be no more than replacing the existing BDR91. Time will tell. I ought to learn from experiences that I should leave it all alone once installed and set up but often the temptation to play is great!
Last edited by G4RHL; 2nd February 2021 at 09:55 AM.
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