The Ideal Esprit Eco 2 (written Esprit Eco2 by Ideal) is a compact, entry-level gas combi boiler made in 24, 30 and 35kW versions, and for a flat or a one-bathroom home with a decent mains supply it is a simple, sensible choice. Its main limits are a shorter warranty than Ideal’s Logic Max and Vogue Max ranges, natural gas only, and the same 24.2kW heating output on every model, so if you want long manufacturer cover or have a bigger home, a higher Ideal model usually makes more sense.

Ideal Esprit Eco 2 specifications

These figures come from Ideal’s installation and servicing manual for the Esprit Eco2.

Specification	Esprit Eco2 24	Esprit Eco2 30	Esprit Eco2 35
Maximum hot water output	24.2kW	30.3kW	35.3kW
Maximum central heating output	24.2kW	24.2kW	24.2kW
Hot water flow at 35 degree rise	9.9 litres a minute	12.4 litres a minute	14.5 litres a minute
Heat exchanger	Cast aluminium	Cast aluminium	Cast aluminium
Size (height x width x depth)	700 x 395 x 285mm	700 x 395 x 285mm	700 x 395 x 285mm
Maximum horizontal flue length	Up to 9m	Up to 8m	Up to 6m
Expansion vessel	8 litres	8 litres	8 litres
Efficiency class	A	A	A
NOx class	6	6	6
Fuel	Natural gas	Natural gas	Natural gas

Two things in that table matter more than they first appear.

The heating output is the same on every model. Choosing the 35 instead of the 24 gives you more hot water, not more heat for your radiators. For most homes 24.2kW is more than enough heating, but it is worth knowing if you are tempted to size up for a large, draughty house.

The bigger models need a stronger mains supply. Ideal’s manual lists a higher minimum mains inlet pressure for the 30 and 35 than for the 24. A combi can only deliver its rated flow if the mains can supply it, so on a weak supply a 35 will not perform like a 35. If your cold taps are already disappointing, read our guide to low water pressure in the whole house before choosing a size.

If you are comparing boilers for a replacement, our boiler installation page explains how we survey, size and fit a new combi.

Controls and everyday use

The Esprit Eco2 keeps things simple. Ideal’s user guide describes:

• Two temperature dials, one for hot water (40 to 65 degrees) and one for central heating (30 to 80 degrees).
• A mode dial for winter (heating and hot water), summer (hot water only) and off.
• A digital display showing what the boiler is doing, and fault codes if something goes wrong.
• A restart button for clearing a lockout.
• A pressure gauge, which should read between 1 and 1.5 bar.
• A preheat button. With preheat on, the boiler fires briefly from time to time to keep its hot water heat exchanger warm, so hot water reaches your tap sooner. Ideal says the average gap between these firings is 90 minutes.

There is no built-in smart control, so you add a room thermostat and timer, or a smart thermostat, as you would with most combis. Frost protection is built in but, as the user guide points out, it only works while the boiler has power.

Is preheat worth leaving on? It is a trade-off. Preheat uses a little gas through the day to save you waiting for hot water. If the boiler is close to your kitchen and bathroom, or you are out all day, switching it off is a reasonable way to save a little gas.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Compact enough for most kitchen cupboards	Shorter warranty than Ideal’s Logic Max and Vogue Max ranges
Three sizes to match hot water demand	Heating output capped at 24.2kW on all models
Straightforward dial controls	Natural gas only, no LPG version listed in the manual
Preheat for faster hot water	Basic controls, no built-in smart features
ErP A rated and NOx class 6	Bigger models need good mains pressure to reach their rated flow
Long horizontal flue runs on the 24	Horizontal flue length drops on the 35

Esprit Eco2 against other Ideal combis

Model	Combi sizes	Manufacturer warranty
Ideal Esprit Eco2	24, 30, 35kW	Five years, as listed by merchants
Ideal Logic Max Combi	24, 30, 35kW	Ten years, per Ideal
Ideal Vogue Max Combi	26, 32, 40kW	Twelve years, per Ideal

Warranty length is the clearest difference. Ideal’s own warranty pages list ten years for the Logic Max combi and twelve for the Vogue Max combi. On the Esprit Eco2, merchant listings give five years. Warranty terms can change and depend on conditions, so always ask your installer to confirm the length in writing on the quote.

Ideal also says a warranty should be registered within 30 days of installation, and that cover may be limited to 12 months if it is not. The manual makes a fully completed Benchmark commissioning checklist a condition of the warranty too, and the user guide says the boiler should be serviced at least once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

For a wider comparison across brands, see our guide to the best combi boilers.

Who the Esprit Eco2 suits

A good fit if:

• You live in a flat or a house with one bathroom.
• Only one hot tap or shower tends to run at a time.
• Your mains pressure and flow are healthy.
• You want a simple boiler and are comfortable with a shorter warranty.
• The property is a rental or a home you plan to sell in the next few years.

Probably not the right choice if:

• You have two bathrooms that get used at the same time. A system boiler with a cylinder usually serves that better.
• You are off the gas grid and use LPG.
• You want the longest possible manufacturer cover.
• Your house has a large heat loss and needs more than 24.2kW of heating.

Installation matters as much as the boiler

A budget boiler fitted well will outlast a premium boiler fitted badly. Ideal’s manual calls for the system to be thoroughly cleansed and treated with inhibitor, and for the Benchmark checklist to be completed. In hard water areas like most of Hertfordshire, scale protection on the mains feed helps protect the hot water side of any combi.

We are an Ideal Max accredited installer and a Vaillant myREWARDS installer, which lets us offer manufacturer guarantees of up to 12 years on selected Ideal boilers and up to 10 years on selected Vaillant boilers. Every new boiler package we install includes a magnetic system filter, the first year’s service and removal of the old boiler. Our guide to choosing a boiler installer in Hertfordshire sets out what else to check on any quote.

How we price it

Installations are quoted as a fixed price after a free survey, so the price you agree is the price you pay. You can get your price online in a couple of minutes with our boiler quote tool, which shows options across entry-level and longer-warranty Ideal and Vaillant boilers, and we are happy to talk through whether an Esprit Eco2 or a longer-warranty model suits your home.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ideal Esprit Eco 2 a good boiler?

For its intended job, yes: a compact combi for a flat or smaller home with one bathroom and good mains pressure. It is simpler and carries a shorter warranty than Ideal’s Logic Max and Vogue Max ranges, which is the trade-off to weigh up.

What warranty does the Ideal Esprit Eco2 come with?

Merchant listings give five years. Ideal says warranties should be registered within 30 days of installation, and the manual makes a completed Benchmark checklist a condition. Annual servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer is also expected, so keep your service records.

Can the Ideal Esprit Eco2 run on LPG?

The installation manual lists natural gas only. If your home uses LPG, you will need a boiler that is approved for LPG, so ask your installer for a suitable model.

Which size Esprit Eco2 do I need?

Size a combi on hot water demand and mains supply, not on the number of radiators, because every model has the same heating output. The 24 suits a flat or small home, and the 30 or 35 suit homes that want a stronger shower, provided the mains can supply it. A survey should include a flow and pressure check.

How often does the Esprit Eco2 need servicing?

At least once a year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, as Ideal’s user guide states. Our boiler servicing page explains what a service involves.

New Ideal combi boilers in Hertfordshire

If you are weighing up an Esprit Eco2 against other Ideal or Vaillant boilers, our boiler installation page explains how we survey and fit, or you can call 01462 506374 to talk it through with the team.