ATAG iC versus ATAG iC Economiser Plus…
What is it with boiler manufacturers that they must pick such similar names for their boilers? Usually involving a weird combination of numbers and letters – particularly the letter ‘i’?!
If you’re looking for a new boiler; but you’re getting your Green iQs mixed up with your iCs and iRs; we’re not surprised – but don’t worry, we’re here to help!
We often get asked about the differences between the similar sounding ATAG iC and the ATAG iC Economiser. So in today’s blog we’ll walk you through the key differences between the two.
Who is ATAG?
First off, let’s start with the manufacturer.
We’re proud to be ATAG Selected Partners. Because although they’re perhaps not as well known amongst consumers as Worcester Bosch; ATAG is a manufacturer that you can trust.
ATAG has been designing and manufacturing boilers for almost 70 years in many countries around the world.
They’ve combined the strict engineering standards of different countries; to develop their ‘i’ range of ATAG boilers – which we’re looking at today.
This range is touted as being the most energy efficient boilers in Europe; with the lowest NOx emissions meaning that they’re better for the planet (and your wallet!)
ATAG boilers are renowned for their outstanding engineering, reliability, and energy efficiency. They use the highest quality stainless steel and brass components – and boy, do they stand the test of time!
Their revolutionary iCon heat exchanger maintains 98% of its original efficiency levels throughout its lifetime. And comes with a lifetime guarantee.
ATAG have such faith in their boilers; that they come with the longest warranties on the market, of up to fourteen years.
All of this means that if you choose an ATAG boiler; you can be pretty sure that you’ll still have a reliable boiler in over a decade’s time.
You should check out our related blog: Why choose an ATAG boiler?
Is an ATAG combi boiler right for you?
Both the iC and the iC Economiser are combi boilers.
So, before we dive into the differences between the two, you should double check that it’s a combi you’re after.
And regardless of what type of boiler you have now, you should consider all of the options. Because chances are the boiler that came with your house; or the one you chose ten years or so ago; no longer suits!
The three types of boilers
We won’t go into detail about the differences between the three types of boiler here; we’ve got other blogs for that.
But briefly… the three types of boiler are:
- Heat-only or ‘conventional’ boilers;
- System boilers; and
- Combination or ‘combi boilers.
As the name suggests; a ‘conventional’ or heat-only boiler is often thought of as the traditional way of heating a home.
Heat-only boilers provide both heating and hot-water with the use of an additional cold-water tank and hot-water cylinder.
They can supply hot water to multiple outlets at the same time. And are a good choice for homes with multiple bathrooms.
System boilers are also a good choice for larger families with a greater demand for hot water. Because similarly to the heat-only boiler, they store hot water in a cylinder. Unlike the heat-only though, they don’t have an additional cold-water tank.
You can read about the pros and cons of heat only boilers and system boilers here.
Combi boilers
Combi boilers are the most popular type of boiler currently sold in the UK.
They’re a much more compact option than the other two types of boiler. Everything they need to heat your home and hot water is ‘combined’ (hence the name) in one single unit.
They don’t need additional water tanks or cylinders.
Instead, combis heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a hot tap. The fact that they heat water instantaneously on demand means that you’ll never run out of hot water.
Read about their pros and cons here.
ATAG iC Combi boiler
So, what does the ATAG iC combi boiler have to offer then? Let’s look at the key features:
The ATAG iC is available in four sizes
The ATAG iC is available in four different power outputs: 24kW, 28kW, 36kW and 40kW.
This means that there will be an option to suit your home and lifestyle.
But don’t worry about knowing what size you need; we’ll work that out for you after conducting a whole house heat loss calculation during your free survey.
The ATAG iC is energy efficient
The ATAG iC is A-rated for energy efficiency.
Adding an ATAG ONE or TADO V3+ internet-connected Smart controller can further boost your heating system efficiency; to an impressive 98% (also known as A+).
According to The Energy Saving Trust; if you were to replace an old G rated boiler with an A rated one (like the iC); you could save up to £320 on your gas bills each year.
The ATAG iC has built-in weather compensation
The iC has a built-in weather compensator.
Weather compensation is an energy efficiency device that monitors both the temperature inside your home; and the temperature outside; and adjusts your boiler’s operation accordingly.
Weather compensation is one of the four energy saving options for combi boilers under the Boiler Plus regulations.
This allows your boiler to reduce water temperatures, which increases efficiency without compromising your comfort.
The ATAG iC is compact
The iC combi is a compact, high performance, intelligent boiler. It measures: h700 x w440 x d366 (mm).
It is also available in a 275 mm (deep) model; in case you want to place it inside a kitchen cupboard. So, it could be a good option if you’re short on space.
The ATAG iC is quiet
When in operation, the iC is one of the quietest boilers you can buy thanks to its bottom-up modulation.
The ATAG iC is user friendly
With simple to use controls, including a separate hot water thermostat for added safety, the iC is extremely user friendly. It features an LCD display which shows detailed fault codes; so should anything go wrong, you’ll be able to see what the issue is quickly.
The ATAG iC is compatible with smart controls
The ATAG iC range is fully compatible with third party controls such as Nest and Honeywell. In addition to the ATAG ONE Zone or Tado V3+ Smart controller.
Smart controls can often connect to the internet and can be controlled remotely through your tablet or smartphone.
This means that you’ll have much greater control over your heating, from wherever you are, at any time of day.
There are a huge variety of options available with smart controls, such as zoning, geo-fencing and intelligent learning systems.
This gives you smarter control of your heating; remote access; and the promise from manufacturers of energy savings of between 20-30%.
Another brilliant thing about opting for an ATAG boiler, is that unlike most other brands, ATAG boilers have opentherm technology.
This means that ATAG boilers can communicate more efficiently with third party controls. And can further increase the efficiency of your heating system.
The ATAG iC comes with a guarantee of up to 14 years
Since The Heating People are ATAG Selected Partners; we can offer a guarantee of up to 14 years on this boiler, including all parts and labour.
And as we mentioned earlier, the iCon heat exchanger comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Remember that you’ll need to have your boiler serviced annually by a Gas Safe engineer to maintain its guarantee.
How is the iC different to the iC Economiser Plus?
The iC Economiser Plus is described as ‘the future of combi boilers’ by ATAG and it’s their most popular boiler.
This is perhaps unsurprising because it has all the great features of the iC and then some!
The Economiser is one of our favourite combi boilers because it has an in-built flue gas heat recovery system (FGHRS).
This makes the boiler more efficient. Because it captures and recycles the heat that you usually lose through the flue to preheat your incoming mains water.
And the amount saved is not to be sniffed at either.
Independent tests presented to the Government concluded that if half a million FGHRS were installed in homes; 56,209,150m3 of gas would be saved and 114,734,118kg of carbon dioxide emissions saved!
So having built-in FGHRS will cost you less to run, as well as helping the planet. But not only that, it makes the Economiser automatically compliant with the Boiler Plus legislation.
You won’t need to add an additional energy saving device, because it comes with one!
And just like the iC, the Economiser also comes with built-in weather compensation. ATAG really is at the forefront when it comes to energy efficiency.
The Economiser is available in three sizes (rather than the four available in the iC range): The iC Economiser 27 Plus; iC Economiser 35 Plus; and the iC Economiser 39 Plus.
It’s just as compact as the iC, and is also available in a 275 mm (deep) model, in case you want to put it in a kitchen cupboard.
How much do these ATAG boilers cost?
The iC range of boilers start from approximately £1950. The iC Economiser is ATAG’s premium boiler due to its increased efficiency and built-in FGHRS. It costs approximately £2,200.
Final thoughts?
Both the iC and the iC Economiser Plus are great combi boilers that feature unrivalled engineering; excellent energy efficiency; and reliability.
Both boilers come with a hefty guarantee for your peace of mind.
The only real differences between the two are that the iC is available in a slightly smaller model than the Economiser. 24kW as opposed to 27kW and doesn’t have FGHRS.
For us, the Economiser is the better choice, but of course a premium boiler comes with a premium price-tag. So it may well be price that’s the deciding factor between these two.
For tailored advice on your options, call us today to book your free survey.
