From Old Worcester to Vaillant ecoTEC plus 940: Why Liverpool Homeowners Are Making the Switch & Upgrading Boilers
- Chris Welford
- Sep 18
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 19
DD Wilson Gas And Heating Engineers Ltd - Gas Safe No: 583586
Listen, if your boiler sounds like a freight train at 3 am, you're not alone. We've all been there, wrapped in blankets, wondering if today's the day the old Worcester finally gives up the ghost.
George Allsop from Liverpool knows precisely what we're talking about. He'd been putting off replacing his ancient Worcester for ages. With kids in the house, who wants the hassle? But here's what happened when he finally took the plunge with DD Wilson Gas And Heating Engineers:
"Just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and all the team at DD Wilson Gas and Heating Engineers for switching out our boiler for us a couple of weeks back. And just to say, the process was really seamless. We had been putting it off for ages because we have a lot of kids living with us, and we were worried about the destruction it would cause. The lads came in and did the job in and out within a day. Mrs. was dead pleased because there's no tidy-up to be done after he covered all the floors so well; it was a really tidy job. And got the hot water back on for us the same day before he left. Can't recommend it highly enough. As I say, we've been putting off something, but it turned out to be a brilliant service. Got it all done straight away. I'm really happy with the price bit. Thank you."
George Allsop - 5 Star Google Review
Why That Old Worcester Has Got to Go
Let's talk straight. Those floor-standing Worcester boilers with hot water cylinders? They're dinosaurs. Built like tanks, sure, but about as efficient as heating your house with the oven door open.
The Real Problems Nobody Talks About
You know that constant hum from the airing cupboard? That's your boiler heating water you're not even using. All day. Every day. Even at 2 am, when everyone's asleep.
Here's the kicker, these old systems lose heat constantly. The cylinder sits there, slowly cooling down, then fires up again just to maintain temperature. It's like leaving your car running in the driveway 24/7 just in case you need to pop to the shops.
And space? Don't get me started. Between the boiler taking up half your utility room and the cylinder hogging the airing cupboard, you've effectively given British Gas two closets.
What George Discovered
George had the same setup. Big Worcester boiler. Separate cylinder. Kids running around. The thought of ripping it all out? Nightmare fuel.
But here's the thing – keeping that old system was costing him more than just space. Every month, those energy bills kept climbing. The boiler kept getting louder. And that nagging worry about it packing up in January? Always there.
Enter the Vaillant ecoTEC plus 940 / Upgrading Boilers In Liverpool & Wirral.
Now, we need to talk about this bit of kit because it's not your average boiler upgrade.
What Actually Is a Combi Boiler?
Forget everything you know about hot water cylinders. A combination boiler heats water instantly when you turn the tap. No storage. No waiting. No running out halfway through your teenager's forty-minute shower.
The Vaillant ecoTEC plus 940 mounts on the wall. That's it. One compact unit instead of a boiler here, cylinder there, tanks in the loft situation. George got his entire airing cupboard back. His wife's already planning what to do with the space.
The Smart Bit That Actually Matters
Here's where it gets interesting. This boiler talks to your phone. Seriously.
Stuck in traffic? Turn the heating on in your car. Going away for the weekend? Switch everything off at the airport. Notice the kids left the heating blazing while they're at school? Sort it from your desk.
But it's cleverer than that. The Vaillant learns your routine. It knows you get up at 6:30 on weekdays but have a lie-in on Sundays. It checks the weather forecast and adjusts itself. Cold snap coming? It'll compensate. Mild spell? It backs off.
IoniDETECT - The Feature Nobody Explains Properly
Right, this is actually brilliant, but nobody explains it in plain English.
Gas quality varies. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's rubbish. Your old boiler doesn't care – it burns the same amount regardless. Wasteful.
The Vaillant ecoTEC plus 940 has IoniDETECT technology. It constantly checks what's coming through your gas pipe and adjusts how it burns it. Poor quality gas? It compensates. Premium stuff? It takes advantage.
Think of it like a modern car that adjusts to different fuel grades automatically. Except this is your boiler, and it's doing it every second.
Built in Derbyshire, Not Some Random Factory
These boilers are hand-assembled in Belper, Derbyshire and not mass-produced in a warehouse somewhere. Actual people building them, testing them, making sure they're right.
It matters. When something's built properly, it lasts. When it's built locally, you can actually get parts and service.
The Hydrogen Thing
Look, nobody knows precisely when, but hydrogen's coming to the gas network. The government's committed to it. The problem is that most boilers will need replacing when they happen.
Not this one. The Vaillant ecoTEC plus 940 is hydrogen-ready. When they start mixing hydrogen into the gas supply (up to 20%), this boiler won't miss a beat. Your neighbour with the bargain boiler? They'll be calling the installer again.
How the Actual Installation Works
George was worried about the disruption. Kids everywhere, work from home, the usual chaos. Here's what actually happened:
Day Before
DD Wilson's team came round—quick survey. I checked the gas pressure, looked at the pipework, and took measurements. No sales pitch, just facts. They quoted on the spot.
Installation Day - The Reality
8 am: Van arrives. First thing? Plastic sheets everywhere. Floors, walls, and even the stairs were covered. George's wife was already impressed.
Morning: Old boiler drained and disconnected. The ancient Worcester came out in pieces (it was too heavy to move whole). Cylinder disconnected and removed. All the old pipework was stripped out.
By lunch, you wouldn't know there'd ever been a boiler there.
Afternoon: New Vaillant goes up on the wall. Pipework modified and connected. Here's the significant bit – they power-flushed the whole system. Got rid of 20 years of sludge and rust and added a magnetic filter to catch future crud.
4:30 pm: System filled, tested, and commissioned. Smart controls connected to WiFi. George showed how to use the app.
5 pm: Hot water running, heating working, house warm. Van gone.
One day. That's it. George couldn't believe it. His wife couldn't think of anything to clean up.
The Legal Stuff That Actually Matters
Let's be clear. Gas work isn't DIY territory. It's illegal unless you're Gas Safe registered. DD Wilson Gas And Heating Engineers Ltd? Fully registered - number 583586. Check it yourself on the Gas Safe website.
They provided:
Gas Safe certificate
Building regs compliance
Vaillant warranty registration (10 years if you service annually)
Benchmark logbook
Everything legal, everything above board.
What Happens After
The Bills
George says his first gas bill after installation was noticeably lower. Makes sense. The old Worcester was probably running at 65-70% efficiency. The Vaillant? Over 90%.
That's not marketing speak. That's less gas burned for the same heat—real money saved.
Living With It
Two weeks in, George's family noticed:
No more running out of hot water
No more 3 am boiler rumbles
Heating comes on before they wake up (smart controls learned their routine)
The app actually works (unlike his smart doorbell, apparently)
The Space
Remember that airing cupboard? George's wife has already claimed it. Shelving is going in next week. Twenty years of having a hot water cylinder, and now they've got actual storage.
Why DD Wilson?
Look, there are plenty of installers out there. Some are cheaper, some are more expensive. Here's what matters;
They're local Unit 8, Redwood Point, Woodward Road, L33 7UZ. Not a call centre in Birmingham pretending to be local.
They're established Company Registration Number 14258693. FCA registered (1017595). This isn't some guy with a van. They're genuine reviews.
With over 3,000 five-star reviews across Google, Trustatrader and other platforms. They're award-winning
Multi Award-Winning and one of the longest-running companies on Trustatrader in the UK, boasting over 7 years of service and the most reviews. They're accessible 0151 739 8945—email info@ddwilson.com. Actual humans answer.
Payment options They accept cards, bank transfers, and even cash if you're old school. No "cash only" cowboys here.
The Bottom Line
George spent years worrying about replacing his boiler. One day with DD Wilson, and it was done: no mess, no fuss, no week without heating.
The Vaillant ecoTEC plus 940 isn't cheap. But neither is wasting money on an inefficient boiler, or paying for repairs on a 20-year-old Worcester, or losing half your house to hot water cylinders.
If you're sitting there with an old boiler, thinking about upgrading but putting it off – maybe stop putting it off. George wished he'd done it years ago. His wife definitely wishes he had.
Winter's coming. That old boiler knows it, too. DD Wilson Gas And Heating Engineers have been installing boilers, Upgrading Boilers Liverpool and Wirral of over 20 years Want to Know More?
DD Wilson Gas And Heating Engineers Ltd
Unit 8, Redwood Point, Woodward Road, L33 7UZ
Call: 0151 739 8945
Email: info@ddwilson.com
Website: ddwilson.com
Gas Safe No: 583586
DD Wilson is a trading name of DD Wilson Gas and Heating Engineers Ltd (No: 14258693). FCA No: 1017595. Introducer Appointed Representative of Switcha Limited.
Boiler efficiency varies by home and usage—hydrogen readiness based on manufacturer specifications for up to a 20% blend. Always get multiple quotes for significant work.
