Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler review

The Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler is regarded as easy to install and small enough to fit in a kitchen cupboard. (Image credit: Ideal Heating)

The Ideal Logic C30 is a highly efficient condensing gas combi boiler with an ERP A rating for heating and hot water and a 94% efficiency rating that can help you cut down your energy bill.

Ideal Logic C30 combi boilers come with a 10-year warranty, which indicates that the company is confident that they will last a long time. They are simple to control and maintain, with a pressure gauge that is easy to read, a hard-wearing, scratch-resistant case and a large digital display with simple controls and a built-in service indicator that makes maintenance a breeze.

Installers rave about how simple these boilers are to install (Wolseley calls it “an installer’s dream“). Easy installation generally means that a boiler is simple to maintain and that you can get your new boiler up and running very quickly and easily. It’s hydrogen-ready, which makes it suitable for new builds. 

As a combi boiler, the Ideal Logic C30 doesn’t require a hot water cylinder, so it can be easily hidden away in a cupboard, even in a small kitchen. The 24kW unit can easily meet the demands of a flat or house with 10 radiators and one bathroom without breaking the bank. With simple installation and sundries like the filter, flue and accessories, you can expect to pay between £1,826–£2,326.

The Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler is an A-rated, highly efficient combination boiler that is compact enough to fit in a standard kitchen cupboard. It has a range of flueing options and is compatible with OpenTherm (a common HVAC, thermostat and heating system language) and other smart controls. Choose between an output of 24, 30 or 35kW and enjoy quick and hassle-free installation thanks to low lift weight, concealed connections, built-in automatic bypass and an integral filling loop. The translucent condensate siphon makes it easy to spot any debris quickly and efficiently, while a large, clear front display enables you to keep an eye on the performance of your boiler at a glance. 

• Guarantee options: 10-year warranty on parts and labour if fitted by an approved installer and serviced regularly
• Price range: £1,826–£2,326
• Efficiency rating: A
• Output rating: 24kW–30kW

• Highlights:  A large digital display, easy-to-use controls, built-in frost protection and low lift weight and simple design make this boiler easy to maintain and install. 
• Key benefit: Low lift weight, compact design, and pre-wired mains make this highly efficient boiler easy to install, while simple controls and a large, easy-to-read display enable you to keep an eye on the performance of your boiler at all times. 
• Fuel: Gas, 20% hydrogen mix
• Flow Rate: 12.4 l/per minute (30kW unit)

A new boiler is always a significant investment for a homeowner. Choosing the wrong output or boiler type can mean suffering through years of lukewarm showers and poor water pressure, so always weigh up the pros and cons before making a final decision. Our research has found the following points regarding the Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler:

The pros: 

• Warranty: The Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler comes with a 10-year guarantee if fitted by an approved installer, giving you peace of mind. 
• Easy operation: The boiler is easy to operate with a simple, large and clear display with service indicators so that you can ensure your boiler stays in tip-top shape. 
• Simple installation: The Ideal Logic C30 boiler comes with pre-formed copper tails and a pre-wired mains lead, and because it is lightweight and compact, it’s easy to install.
• Compact: The Ideal Logic C30 boiler is small enough to fit in a kitchen cupboard (700mm (h) x 395mm (w) x 278mm (d). 
• Frost protection: The Ideal Logic boiler range is fitted with frost protection features. If the boiler senses that the temperature has dropped below 8 °C, the pump circulates water to keep the condensate pipe from freezing. 

The cons:

• Can’t meet high water demands: The Ideal Logic C30 boiler draws its water supply from the mains, so it will battle to meet a high demand for hot water, eg several hot water taps running in different rooms at the same time.
• Malfunctions cut off heating and hot water: If your combi boiler breaks down, you may lose both your central heating and hot water at the same time as the combi boiler powers both.

The Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler is designed to work with a hydrogen blend if the UK switches to this fuel source. (Image credit: Ideal Heating)

A combi boiler takes water directly from the mains and heats it on demand. When you turn on a hot water tap, the boiler will start burning gas in the combustion chamber. These hot gases rise and move through a series of pipes into the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger chamber heats the surrounding cold water.

The Ideal Logic C30 is a simple, affordable combi boiler. However, there are many other comparable boilers on the market in a similar price range to consider. 

The Baxi 600 holds an ErP A-rating as well (and 93% efficiency) and is as compact and easy to install as the Ideal Logic C30. It provides a maximum heating output of 36kW and can integrate with Baxi’s uSense smart thermostat so you can control it from your smartphone, from anywhere in the world. The warranty isn’t as good as Ideal’s (there’s a seven-year warranty on parts and labour), but you can save a few hundred pounds on the unit itself, with a price range of about £1,589–£2,089 with installation and sundries included. 

You may also want to look at the Worcester Bosch Greenstar 2000 combi boiler. Worcester Bosch is one of the most trusted names in the boiler industry. They offer a 10-year guarantee on their heat exchanger, a five-year guarantee as standard, and a six-year guarantee if installed with their Systems Filter. Available as either a 25kW or 30kW unit, this boiler is a good solution for landlords or even caravans, static homes and holiday parks. At about £1,690–£2,190, it’s one of the brand’s most affordable boilers. 

Another good option (and at a good price) is the Alpha E-tec. These boilers are available in 28kW or 33kW outputs, are A-rated for efficiency and cost £1,545–£2,045  with installation and other sundries included.

Bear in mind that the price of your boiler and installation can vary dramatically. It’s a good idea to compare different sites and to keep an eye out for special offers (especially in summer). However, according to online estimates, here is what you can expect to pay for your Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler:

The Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler is easy to maintain. The system pressure gauge on the far left of the boiler indicates the pressure level of your central heating system. If it falls below one to two bars, this is usually an indication of a water leak. 

You can repressurise your boiler by manually topping up the system, as shown on page four of the user manual. If this doesn’t work, get in touch with a Gas Safe registered engineer. 

It’s a good idea to have your boiler serviced annually – you’ll need to do this to keep your warranty valid.

“An installer’s dream, the Ideal Logic Combi C30 boiler arrives complete with preformed copper tails, a pre-wired mains lead, and, thanks to low lift weight and compact design, can be cupboard-fit without difficulty, so it’s fast and easy to fit while taking up the minimum amount of space in smaller homes. This 30kW combi features a simple diverter valve and inbuilt filling loop alongside a backlit display for uncomplicated daily use and low-pressure maintenance. An ERP A rating helps to keep fuel bills to a minimum and reduces waste.”

• Wolseley

“Founded in 1906, Ideal is a UK-based boiler brand (who also ranked #4 in our top 10 boiler manufacturers) that has built a reputation for offering competitively priced, reliable boilers and, in recent years – becoming the mascot of West Bromwich Albion F.C. (a.k.a Boiler Man). The Ideal Logic Combi 30 is one of Ideal’s bestselling combi boilers from their entry-level Logic range, offering a balance of all the essential features, reliability, and a very reasonable price point.”

• Heatable

“Great Value for a 30Kw Boiler. It comes with an Ideal filter and PRV kit, which both bumps up the price of an install, so I was very happy that these were both included with the Boiler. However, after Installing the boiler today, which was one of the easiest boilers I have installed, when coming to commission the Boiler, the gas valve was making a horrendous noise on the ignition, and the boiler failed the C.O. test at the end of commissioning. Ideal has responded and will be out to replace the gas valve on the Boiler on Wednesday, but this should not be happening on a brand new Boiler, especially on a brand as big as Ideal.”

• HeatlinePlumbing,  Reviewed on Screwfix.com

“Purchased my Ideal Logic + Combo c30 boiler in 2018 when we refurbished the house. I am delighted with my purchase and have found my boiler efficient and easily adjustable. When I had my boiler serviced I found the engineer most polite and helpful. Precautions were also taken to prevent transmission of the coronavirus. I can recommend Ideal boilers with my experience of their product.”

• Judith Dixon, Trustpilot

“Had the Logic 30 fitted 15 months ago. No problems at all. I must admit we do have a good Corgi registered engineer and I think that could be the problem for some people. We live in a two bed house,the house is roasting and the water is boiling.”

• Walteru315, Review Centre

“I had a brand new Ideal boiler (C30 model) installed on 7/03/22. The boiler was not working, so I had no hot water, central heating or cooker. On 10/03/22, an Ideal engineer came who said there was nothing wrong with the boiler, and the boiler seemed to work. On 11/03/22, the boiler was commissioned and seemed to work until I went for a shower 2 hours later and found I had no hot water or central heating. I’ve had two installers come and state that there is nothing wrong with the installation and there is a fault with the boiler. I would expect manufacturers to have strong checks and testing in place to ensure that their products work at the point of installation, especially considering the importance of having a working boiler, In Particular when you have a family and during cold weather. As of 14/03/22, I still don’t have hot water or heating, and this is partly due to the faulty boiler and processes and communication between the installer and Ideal. I wouldn’t get an Ideal boiler in the future, and I’m looking to get it replaced with a different brand.”

• Ana Marulanda, Trustpilot

The Ideal combi boiler ticks all the boxes you would want from a boiler of this size and price. It’s energy efficient, simple to maintain and install, with a few other interesting features and is generally favourably reviewed by customers (and professional installers) alike. 

That being said, it doesn’t come with many bells and whistles. It’s a great solution for small homes and flats with one or two bathrooms and a small central heating system and a solid choice for the private rental market. 

The Ideal Logic C30 doesn’t have a hot water tank or many additional external parts and will fit easily in a small space, e.g. a kitchen cupboard. The long warranty makes it an attractive option for homeowners and landlords alike, and its energy efficiencies can shave hundreds of pounds off your heating bill every year.

To compile this review, we consulted hundreds of customer reviews (Reviews.io, Trustpilot, Google), professional reviews, media articles and technical documentation. We compiled a 100-point scoring point to rate the Ideal Logic C30 combi boiler against, which included:

• The warranty period offered by the brand, for a total of 10 points;
• The overall reputation of the brand is based on professional online reviews, for a total of 15 points;
• Trust pilot reviews for a total of 5 points;
• Awards and accolades (e.g. Which? Best Buy Awards) for a total of 5 points;
• Customer service performance, for a total of 10 points;
• The price range, for a total of 15 points;
• Efficiency ratings, for a total of 15 points; 
• Installation and maintenance network and reviews, for a total of 15 points; and 
• Overall performance (temperature, maximum flow) for a total of 10 points.