Alpha E-Tec Plus NX Combi Boiler Cost with Installation

The Alpha E-Tec Plus NX is an impressive premium combination boiler. It’s offered at a highly competitive price, with high-end materials, and an incredible 10-year standard warranty, plus a possible maximum warranty of 13 years – rivalling major competitors like Viessmann. 

This model is slightly different from its more standard brother, the Alpha E-Tec NX, which offers fewer upgraded features but an equally attractive warranty and was voted our best combi boiler for price in our top 10 combi boiler rankings. The Plus is the better option for larger homes or those with more than one bathroom and higher hot water demand. If you’re on a bit of a budget, and don’t use as much hot water, then the Alpha E-Tec NX might be the way to go. 

So, if it’s a higher output or the reassurance of a longer standard warranty, or even just an LCD screen with touch buttons that you’re after, stick around here to get an idea of just what the E-Tec Plus NX has to offer! 

See the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX’s specifications below:

Alpha E-Tec Plus NX Combi Product Table
	Available outputs	28kW	33kW	38kW
	Type	Combi	Combi	Combi
	Fuel	Gas	Gas	Gas
	Condensing	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Efficiency rating (%)	94	94	94
	ErP	A	A	A
	LPG compatible	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Standard guarantee	10 years*
	Max output (kW)	28	33	38
	Flow rate (l/min)	12.1	14.1	15.4
	Mounting	Wall-mounted
	Dimensions (mm)	712 x 440 x 268
	Typical price (incl. VAT)	£950	£1,070	£1,300
	Typical installation cost (incl. VAT)	£800 – £1,400
	Total cost	£1,700 – £2,700

*Terms and conditions apply.

Alpha E-Tec Plus NX combi overview

The Alpha E-Tec Plus NX is a premium gas combi boiler designed to deliver strong hot water performance, high efficiency, and long-term reliability at a price point that undercuts many big-name competitors. 

Sitting above the standard E-Tec NX range, the Plus version offers higher outputs, upgraded internal components, and a more advanced control interface, making it particularly well-suited to homes with multiple bathrooms or higher hot water demand. 

Alpha E-Tec Plus NX Combi Range
Model output size	House size	Bathrooms	Radiators
28kW	Flats, small homes 1 to 3 bedrooms	1 & ensuite	Up to 15
33kW	Small-medium homes 3 to 4 bedrooms	1-2	Up to 20
38kW	Medium homes 3 to 5 bedrooms	2-3	Up to 20

The key to the best boiler is getting the right output for your home. If you’re a small homeowner with lower hot water demand, you don’t want to be paying for the higher price tag of a high output boiler – the 28kW model with 12.1 l/m flow rate will be a suitable performer for your home. If your house has more than one bathroom, you might find hot water is stretched with lower output models, and this is often where people find problems with their boiler so it’s important to make the right choice at checkout.

Key benefits at a glance

• ErP A-rated efficiency (94%)
• Smart control via Alpha Connect app
• Stainless steel heat exchanger
• Wide modulation range (1:6)
• Compact, cupboard-friendly design
• High hot water flow rates (up to 15.4 l/min)
• Quiet operation (48dB to 54dB) 
• Built-in frost protection
• Weather compensation compatible
• Advanced touchscreen interface, large backlit LCD with touch button controls 
• LPG compatible
• 10-year standard warranty, extendable to 13 years*

Alpha E-Tec Plus NX combi technical specifications

The Alpha E-Tec Plus NX range combines compact design with modern, efficiency-focused engineering. All models have an ErP A-rating for both heating and hot water, operating at up to 94% efficiency. 

Despite offering outputs up to 38kW, every model shares the same cupboard-friendly dimensions, making installation straightforward even in kitchens or utility spaces with limited room. 

Premium components – including a stainless steel heat exchanger, high-efficiency pump, and smart-control compatibility – are used throughout the range to support durability, personal control, and lower running costs over time.

Output and efficiency ratings

All models in the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX series are ErP A-rated for both heating and hot water, operating at an impressive 94% efficiency. This efficiency is supported by a 1:6 modulation ratio, in plain English, this allows the boiler to reduce its power output to as low as 5kW during periods of low demand to avoid unnecessary energy waste. By tuning itself to use less gas, this clever little boiler helps homeowners lower their carbon footprint and reduce monthly bills. 

The range is available in 28kW, 33kW and 38kW models, and the right choice depends on your home’s hot water demand rather than a simple “bigger is best” approach. Smaller homes or properties with a single bathroom are often well served by the lower-output models, whilst larger households or homes with two bathrooms are more likely to benefit from the higher outputs.

Dimensions 

A key design feature of the E-Tec Plus NX is its cupboard-friendly footprint. All three output models share identical dimensions, measuring 712 mm in height, 440 mm in width, and 268 mm in depth. This standardised sizing ensures that even the high-output 38kW model can fit comfortably inside a standard kitchen cupboard or utility space.

Components included

The E-Tec Plus NX is built with premium components that are essential to long-term reliability. The stainless steel heat exchanger features a coil moulded in thermoplastic, a design that is significantly more resistant to corrosion and sludge build-up than traditional aluminium alternatives. 

For homeowners interested in smart home features, the boiler is fully OpenTherm and Alpha BUS compatible, these extras allow the boiler to work with the Alpha Connect app. The app enables remote heating adjustments, geolocation fencing to save energy when the property is empty, and holiday mode settings – all from your phone, so we highly recommend it as an add-on!

The system also includes a high-efficiency ‘Grundfos Delta T’ pump. This sounds quite technical, essentially, it varies its speed to match the system temperature, which further lowers energy consumption and, in turn, your energy bills. 

To safeguard the unit, the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX comes with built-in frost protection as well as a zinc-plated expansion vessel designed to prevent internal rust over time. Homeowners also benefit from an integrated filling loop for easy pressure top-ups and a large, backlit LCD with touch button controls for straightforward manual adjustments. That’s a lot of great features packed into one little unit!

Looking toward the future of the UK gas grid, the entire range is certified Hydrogen Ready for a 20% blend.

Prices and installation costs

The Alpha E-Tec Plus NX combi sits firmly in the mid-range of the combi boiler market, offering strong value for money when its specifications and long warranty are taken into account. 

Unit prices typically start at around £950 for the 28kW model, rising to approximately £1,300 for the highest-output 38kW version. 

These prices include the boiler unit as well as a standard horizontal flue. The flue is a critical component that safely directs combustion gases outside. A standard side-wall flue costs roughly £100, and this is the most common type of flue, but a vertical roof flue can cost up to £500 due to the increased complexity of the installation and roofing work required.

When installation is included, total costs usually fall between £2,150 and £2,500, depending on the model chosen and the complexity of the installation. 

As with all boiler replacements, prices can vary based on factors such as flue position, pipework upgrades, and whether a system flush or magnetic filter is required. 

Alpha E-Tec Plus NX Combi Costs
Output size	Unit cost (incl. flue)	Total (incl. installation)
28kW	£950	£2,150
33kW	£1,070	£2,270
38kW	£1,300	£2,500

These prices are only indicative, based on our research and actual boiler prices submitted to WhatPrice by homeowners.

To get an accurate price based on your needs, you should request quotes from at least 3 Gas Safe registered installers. They can advise you on the best boiler type for your home and give you tailored estimates to compare. 

Alternatively, you can use the WhatPrice Boiler Cost Calculator to get a guide price for your installation.

Warranty and support

One of the strongest selling points for the E-Tec Plus NX is its extensive warranty protection. It comes with an impressive 10-year standard warranty on parts and labour; homeowners can extend this to an industry-leading 13 years by installing the unit with an Alpha PremierPack Pro. Containing a Cyclone Plus magnetic filter, this removes metallic debris from the system to prevent damage to internal parts. To maintain this coverage, the boiler must be registered within 30 days of installation and receive an annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This warranty provides comprehensive protection against manufacturing defects or faulty materials, it does not cover damage caused by external factors such as hard water scale, internal system corrosion from poor water quality, or faults in the external gas and electricity supplies.

WhatPrice Tip: The 30-day registration window is strict; without registration, your 10-year protection could drop to just 12 months! To ensure you get a prompt, trustworthy professional who prioritises your registration, we recommend seeking quotes from 3 different Gas Safe registered installers.

Installation information

With combination boiler installation costs typically standing at £1,200, the next thing to understand is the requirements for installation and what to expect on the day of installation. A lot can depend on your individual home, so it’s important you have a vetted Gas Safe registered installer who will be able to give you an idea of the timeline and cost of installation depending on your specific home.  

What to expect on installation day

If additional work is required – such as upgrading pipework or relocating the boiler – your installer should explain this clearly beforehand, including any impact on cost or installation time.

Do you need a system flush or filter?

Under UK Building Regulations, it is now a mandatory requirement to fit a filter before a new boiler is installed. Whilst a flush isn’t required, it is recommended. A flush removes “sludge” (iron oxide) that has accumulated in your radiators over the years.

To keep your Alpha E-Tec Plus NX running efficiently, your installer must also fit an in-line magnetic filter, such as the Cyclone Plus. This device captures metallic debris before it can reach the boiler’s internal components and is a strict requirement to unlock the extended 13-year warranty offered with the Alpha PremierPack Pro. 

Typically, a professional system flush costs between £350 and £800, whilst a high-quality magnetic filter ranges from £65 to £300.

Finding a Gas Safe registered engineer

In the UK, gas boiler installations must legally be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This ensures the work meets safety regulations and is completed to the right standard.

Before choosing an installer, it’s a good idea to gather quotes from several Gas Safe registered engineers. This allows you to compare pricing, experience, and recommendations, helping you find the right installer.

You can also use the WhatPrice quote service to be matched with vetted, Gas Safe registered installers in your area. 

Reviews and ratings

Alpha has an impressive 4.7/5 stars on Trustpilot – for a smaller brand, that’s a sure sign of customer confidence. Let’s take a closer look at what homeowners have to say about Alpha and the E-Tec Plus NX combi:

Positive reviews

Homeowners who switched from more expensive brands like Worcester or Vaillant found the E-Tec Plus incredibly reliable. One user noted that after 10 years of annual servicing, their Alpha boiler hasn’t had a single breakdown.

On the flip side, when things do go wrong, several users praise the engineers, especially for going the extra mile (such as fixing smaller issues like loose buttons or panels whilst on-site).

Plus, reviewers feel that getting a 10-to-13-year warranty on a boiler that costs significantly less than premium competitors makes it the logical choice.

With the higher-output 38kW model, users frequently mention that it handles multiple taps running at once much better than their previous boilers, specifically praising the speed at which hot water reaches the showers.

Whilst with the lower output model, users describe the noise level as a non-issue, mentioning that they often have to check the display to see if it’s actually running because the fan is so quiet.

Negative reviews 

Whilst the fan might be quiet on the lower output model (48dB), several users complained about the physical noise of the valve. They describe a noticeable “thud” or “rushing sound” every time the boiler switches from heating the radiators to heating the tap water.

There are also a handful of reports regarding the gas valves failing or causing high emission readings shortly after installation. Users found it frustrating for a brand-new unit, but being covered under the warranty it seems to be resolved without issue. 

💡 Top Tip: So you don’t lose that long warranty, it’s worth keeping a checklist of the steps you need to take each year to keep the warranty valid under the terms and conditions and booking them into your calendar (such as being serviced annually).

A recurring frustration is the 48-hour wait time for emergency repairs. Even though the engineers are praised for their skill, some users felt that being without heat for two days in winter was unacceptable. Equally, some customers were annoyed that they couldn’t manage their service or repair bookings entirely online, finding Alpha’s phone-heavy customer service feel a bit old-fashioned.

How the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX combi compares

When you’re shopping for a new boiler, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the range of competitors and models. To make it a bit easier, we’ve compared the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX with its top competitors. 

Alpha E-Tec Plus NX Combi Comparison Table
Model	Viessman Vitodens 050-W Combi	Alpha E-Tec Plus NX Combi	Ideal Logic Max Combi2
Typical unit price	£1,150	£1,070	£1,100
Heat exchanger	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Aluminium
Max output/bathrooms	35kW 1-2 bathrooms	38kW 2-3 bathrooms	35kW 1-2 bathrooms
Standard warranty	7 years	10 years	2 years
Max warranty	10 Years	13 Years	10 Years
Built-in WiFi	Yes	Optional extra	Optional extra
App control	ViCare	Alpha Connect	Ideal Halo
Cupboard fit?	Yes (700mm high)	Yes (712mm)	Yes (700mm high)

Keep in mind that this comparison focuses on key features, but there may be other details that matter more for your home. For personalised guidance on choosing the right boiler, we recommend speaking with a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Final thoughts – is the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX combi right for you?

The Alpha E-Tec Plus NX is a strong choice for homeowners who want premium features, high hot water performance, and long warranty protection without paying top-tier brand prices.

For many buyers, hot water output is where the decision is really made. The E-Tec Plus NX range goes up to 38kW, making it a better fit for larger homes or properties with two bathrooms than the Vitodens 050-W, which is capped at 35kW and is typically better suited to smaller households. The difference is really felt at peak demand, when taps or showers are used close together higher output takes the win.

The internal build quality of the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX compares favourably with both rivals. Like Viessmann, Alpha uses a stainless steel heat exchanger, widely regarded as the more durable option over the long term. This places it ahead of the Ideal Logic Max Combi², which uses an aluminium heat exchanger. While this may not influence daily operation, it is an important consideration for longevity and long-term reliability.

Warranty is another area where Alpha makes a strong, homeowner-friendly case. The E-Tec Plus NX comes with a 10-year warranty as standard, which can be extended to 13 years when installed with Alpha’s PremierPack Pro. By contrast, the Vitodens 050-W offers a 7-year warranty, extendable to 10 years, while the Ideal Logic Max Combi² starts at just 2 years before extensions are applied. 

The Vitodens 050-W includes built-in Wi-Fi and app control as standard, which will appeal to homeowners who want immediate smart control without additional components. Alpha’s smart controls are available, but require optional add-ons. 

The Alpha E-Tec Plus NX typically comes in below the Viessmann Vitodens 050-W on upfront cost, while offering higher maximum output and longer warranty coverage. Against the Ideal Logic Max Combi², Alpha sits at a slightly higher price point, but justifies this with stronger specifications, longer warranty, and more premium internal components.

Overall, the Alpha E-Tec Plus NX is best suited to homeowners who want a future-proofed combi boiler with strong performance credentials. If you value hot water capability, long warranty protection, and solid engineering, the E-Tec Plus NX stands as one of the most compelling alternatives to both Viessmann and Ideal.

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