Glow-worm Energy and Betacom4: which suits which home

Glow-worm's current domestic line centres on the Energy, an ErP A rated boiler sold as a combi in 25kW, 30kW and 35kW, plus system and regular versions for homes running a cylinder. The Betacom4 is now a legacy combi, made in 24kW and 30kW, so you meet it on service and repair rather than fit it new. Sizing comes down to the data plate and the real demand, not the badge.

What is the Glow-worm Energy best for?

Small to medium homes, and tight cupboard installs in particular. The Energy is Glow-worm's core range, built compact at 700 by 390 by 280mm with a rear flue option so it drops into a standard kitchen cupboard. It is made as a combi, a system and a regular boiler, which means one range covers most domestic replacements. It is built in the UK at Glow-worm's Belper factory and uses an aluminium heat exchanger and a modulating pump that follows the actual heating and hot water demand.

Which Energy output suits which home?

For a combi, match the output to the hot water demand. Glow-worm sells the Energy combi in 25kW, 30kW and 35kW, with domestic hot water flow rates of roughly 12, 14 and 16 litres a minute at a 35 degree rise, so the 35kW moves noticeably more hot water than the 25kW for a busier household. A one-bathroom home with ordinary demand is usually well served by the 25kW or 30kW. Where the property has a cylinder, look at the Energy system, and for an open-vented setup the Energy regular runs from 12kW up to 30kW. Confirm the version and output on the data plate before you commit.

Where does the Glow-worm Betacom4 fit now?

It is a legacy range, so treat it as service and repair work rather than a new-fit option. Glow-worm lists the Betacom4 among its legacy products, a combi made in 24kW and 30kW. Plenty are still heating homes, so you will see them on annual services and breakdowns. When you do, work to the Betacom4 manual for the correct procedures and parts, and if the customer is weighing a replacement, the current Energy combi is the like-for-like route. Do not assume a Betacom4 part or setting carries across to the Energy, they are different appliances.

What warranty does the Energy carry?

The Energy comes with a 7 year guarantee as standard out of the box. That extends to up to 10 years only when the installation is registered through Glow-worm's myREWARDS scheme with a Glow-worm Power Filter fitted, and the 35kW combi is excluded from the extended cover. The guarantee has to be registered within 30 days of installation, or it reverts to 12 months. Set the customer's expectations against those conditions rather than the headline number, and check Glow-worm's current terms as they can change.

What to check before you quote

• The data plate: read the exact make, model and output from the appliance, not from the customer's paperwork or an old invoice.
• Combi, system or regular: the existing setup and whether there is a cylinder decides the format, not just the badge.
• Hot water demand: bathrooms and simultaneous use point you at the 25kW, 30kW or 35kW combi.
• Warranty conditions: the filter, the 30-day registration and the 35kW exclusion all change the length of cover on the Energy.
• Legacy vs current: if it is a Betacom4, work to that manual and treat a swap to the Energy as a fresh sizing exercise.

Whichever unit is on the wall, current or legacy, the paperwork is the same job every time. Manifold builds the CP12 and service record from the check on your phone, reads the make, model and GC number off the data plate with PlateScan, and keeps the property's appliance history ready for the next visit.