Advice Re Boiler and Location

[Georgie73]

Originally, I had baxi go out to fix the boiler on a repair and protect contract. They came out and said the fault was the pump, it was leaking and it isn't covered. So I sent in my own plumber and he replaced the pump. Baxi are due out again tomorrow.

Obviously, I need another opinion but how on earth do I find a person who isn't just going to try and sell me a combination boiler when I may not even need one. The annoying thing is that I am 230 miles away now!

 

[Hot&Cold]

The drayton valve looks like it has been leaking water,is that why there is a 'system drained notice' on the cylinder ?.

 

[Hot&Cold]

Is the property on the end of terrace

 

[Georgie73]

Yes it is.

I think I will have to drive down tomorrow and arrange for a couple of local engineers to come out and give their opinion if baxi can't fix it tomorrow. If the fault is nothing to do with the boiler, Baxi won't touch anything on the system. At the moment, I honestly don't think I've been given a truthful opinion about the boiler. I just can't understand why an engineer would try getting me to have a 30kw boiler installed in such a small house. To me it doesn't make sense.

 

[Mottie]

I think from what I’ve read on here, to get a decent constant hot water flow from a combi you need a much bigger output boiler compared to a heat only boiler and storage tank. The 30kw rating is for the hot water, not so much the heating.

 

[picasso]

I would think the engineer is trying to sell you a decent sized combi boiler, 30 kws for instant hot water is not massive, combi boilers are a good compromise for small houses as it frees up cupboard space.

 

[Hot&Cold]

So you have baxi already booked for tomorrow,see what they say.

or a combi upstairs with copper pipe running up the wall.

one of your neighbours has done that already. If you need a new boiler,find a local installer. Most reputably boiler companies have a list of installers.

Good luck,

 

[FiremanT]

What is actually wrong with the boiler?
As the head has been removed. it suggests that there is a problem with that, which could, indeed, effect the operation.
Why is he suggesting a combi? Did he notice the faulty valve? The faulty valve notwithstanding, If it was my property, I would be fitting a new conventional boiler. It should be cheaper, for a start. Also, as has been suggested, you could fit an immersion heater as a back up.

Also, f your shower is ran fro the heating, it may bot be suitable for a high pressure application, such as a combi.

I suspect the outside flue kit will be a plume displacement kit. This is not necessarily necessary. A photo of the wall and neighbouring border would be useful

 

[Georgie73]

What is actually wrong with the boiler?
As the head has been removed. it suggests that there is a problem with that, which could, indeed, effect the operation.
Why is he suggesting a combi? Did he notice the faulty valve? The faulty valve notwithstanding, If it was my property, I would be fitting a new conventional boiler. It should be cheaper, for a start. Also, as has been suggested, you could fit an immersion heater as a back up.

Also, f your shower is ran fro the heating, it may bot be suitable for a high pressure application, such as a combi.

I suspect the outside flue kit will be a plume displacement kit. This is not necessarily necessary. A photo of the wall and neighbouring border would be useful

OK, I didn't know the head had been removed. I'm sure if this is the case, BAXI won't even look at the boiler. I have no idea who took the head off.

My plumber said there was a faulty valve and the circuit board is faulty. I believe he said that I should change it for a combi because of the age of the existing boiler and the fact that there is a faulty valve.

I would much rather not put in a combi if it means running external pipes and condensors etc.

Here is the link to show the external wall of the house. It's the house with the wooden white front door and it is near some garages.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...e60f425ffab804eb!8m2!3d51.2379614!4d0.5580698

 

[Georgie73]

What exactly do you mean when you say the 'head has been removed'?

The current boiler is a baxi solo 2.

What is a like for like boiler to replace this - they don't seem to do these now. There are boilers called 'system boilers' (made by baxi) - am I looking at the correct products?

https://www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/...btu)-40000-to-59999-boiler-type-system-boiler

 

[FiremanT]

What exactly do you mean when you say the 'head has been removed'?

The current boiler is a baxi solo 2.

What is a like for like boiler to replace this - they don't seem to do these now. There are boilers called 'system boilers' (made by baxi) - am I looking at the correct products?

https://www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/boilers/boilers-by-brand/baxi-boiler-ch-output-range-(btu)-40000-to-59999-boiler-type-system-boiler

The head of the motorised valve.

A conventional boiler s a heat only boiler Baxi EcoBlue Advance Heat boiler, 7 year warranty, read customer reviews | Baxi (as is the BS2). A "system" boiler is for a pressurised system, and includes the pump (and expansion vessel) within the case. You could use a "heat only" boiler, but possibly pressurise the system with the addition of an external expansion vessel, subject to the radiators and pipework being capable of withstanding the increased pressure (that comment actually applies to a combi as well). A system boiler would actually be my preference, although a combi may be beneficial in terms of space saving

 

[Georgie73]

The head of the motorised valve.

A conventional boiler s a heat only boiler Baxi EcoBlue Advance Heat boiler, 7 year warranty, read customer reviews | Baxi (as is the BS2). A "system" boiler is for a pressurised system, and includes the pump (and expansion vessel) within the case. You could use a "heat only" boiler, but possibly pressurise the system with the addition of an external expansion vessel, subject to the radiators and pipework being capable of withstanding the increased pressure (that comment actually applies to a combi as well). A system boiler would actually be my preference, although a combi may be beneficial in terms of space saving

Thank you.

I guess I will be replacing the boiler, if the head is off the motorised valve, I assume that means it's not going to work?

I don't want external pipes as it is an end of terrace house and the kitchen where the boiler is housed is at the front. Fingers crossed Baxi will tell me what the problem is tomorrow.

Thank you everyone for all your input. Night

 

[JohnD]

if you have some kind of fault, which triggered you to think about buying a new boiler, I think you should start by finding out what the fault is, and fixing it.

The head has been taken off the 3-port valve. Somebody might have done this because the valve is faulty, or perhaps because there is a wiring or control defect, especially if somebody has recently changed a thermostat or programmer (incorrectly).

You haven't got a Hive, have you?

 

[Georgie73]

This is the latest update:

Baxi have been out and repaired the boiler. They have fitted a new pcb board and said the boiler is working. However, they have had to shut it off because, my own plumber drained down the system and left it drained down.

I believe that my own plumber told me to fit a new boiler as the Baxi is 18 years old and he is of the opinion, once they start going wrong, they become money pits. I don't have tons of money and the last thing I want is my tenants to be inconvenienced by breakdowns of boiler.

I have messaged my own engineer and I've not had a reply - he doesn't work on Saturdays.

I need the system refilled now and I don't know why the head has been taken off the valve. I don't have a Hive. The tenants told me the thermostat in the living room has not been working. Would this thermostat be connected to the head / 3 port valve?

 

[Dan Robinson]

thermostat in the living room has not been working. Would this thermostat be connected to the head / 3 port valve?

Yes.

I think we've already established your existing engineer is an idiot. Get a new one.