About one year ago I had my old Myson combination boiler replaced with a new Potterton Performa 24.
Since installation we have had to call the Firm that supplied and installed it back on four occasions due to the noises that we are getting in the pipes and radiators.
These tend to start after the heating has been on for a while and especially if all the radiator thermostats are not full on. After starting with a low 'whirring' sound it changes firstly to a similar sound as an engine ticking over and then to a severe banging or knocking.
The only way that we are able to stop it is after making sure that all the radiator thermostats are turned up fully and if that is already the case to turn one, or more, of them back slightly.
This rectifies the problem for a while and then the noises start again and we have to reverse the procedure and this is the case until we finally get fed up and turn the heating off at the boiler.
On each visit the engineer sent inspected the boiler, then took a quick look at a couple of radiators, and advised us that it was probably ‘teething problems’ associated with a new boiler installation and further advised regular bleeding of the radiators.
Last month I contacted them again by telephone because the noises/knocking seemed worse than ever. I was put through to an Engineer who after asking me if the radiators had been bled and I confirmed that they had, asked me to check the pressure, which was ok, suggested that the boiler was in need of a service and if I would like to book it he would charge a slightly reduced rate as we were local.
Last week, after the boiler completely stopped working, I contacted them again and they sent an Engineer. Although here only a short time, he fixed the boiler. All it was that the overheat safety thermostat had shut down the boiler.
Regarding the problems with the pipes/radiators, he very quickly was able to determine that the radiator thermostats are fitted the wrong way round and suggested that we should either fit new dual flow ones or change the existing ones around. He said that he would ask somebody to contact us with a quote for the job, which would probably involve a days work (6 - 8 hours labour).
To cut a long story short, I have now been able to determine, through a pal that has had some experience in central heating and combination boilers, that the problem is due to the fact that the Engineer, who fitted the new boiler made an elementary error.
The old boiler, a Myson Midas Sfi, has the central heating return on the left and the central heating flow on the right whereas on the new Potterton Performa 24 they are the other way round.
The engineer, for some reason, did not take this into consideration and, because of this, has connected them the wrong way round, which explains all the problems.
This being the case I contacted the Firm, explained the situation, and they are sending an engineer to change the plumbing tomorrow.
The thing that I would like to know is whether this error by their engineer could have damaged the boiler, radiator thermostats or the system in any way?
What safeguards do I need to obtain?
I have been told that I should, at least, ask for a full free service of the boiler.
The problem is that, from my experiences to date with this firm, I am not exactly filled with optimism about them doing the job correctly and giving me the correct advice.
Surely, one of their engineers should have determined the problem during one of their visits and the guy that came last week, who admitedly has only been with the firm for a few weeks, must have also spotted it but instead advised us to get them to change all the thermostats round or to fit new 'dual-flow' ones. Both of these options would, no doubt, have involved a days labour and cost, at least, several hundreds of pounds.
I would add that the firm involved is very well established.
Any help or advice on this would be much appreciated!
Since installation we have had to call the Firm that supplied and installed it back on four occasions due to the noises that we are getting in the pipes and radiators.
These tend to start after the heating has been on for a while and especially if all the radiator thermostats are not full on. After starting with a low 'whirring' sound it changes firstly to a similar sound as an engine ticking over and then to a severe banging or knocking.
The only way that we are able to stop it is after making sure that all the radiator thermostats are turned up fully and if that is already the case to turn one, or more, of them back slightly.
This rectifies the problem for a while and then the noises start again and we have to reverse the procedure and this is the case until we finally get fed up and turn the heating off at the boiler.
On each visit the engineer sent inspected the boiler, then took a quick look at a couple of radiators, and advised us that it was probably ‘teething problems’ associated with a new boiler installation and further advised regular bleeding of the radiators.
Last month I contacted them again by telephone because the noises/knocking seemed worse than ever. I was put through to an Engineer who after asking me if the radiators had been bled and I confirmed that they had, asked me to check the pressure, which was ok, suggested that the boiler was in need of a service and if I would like to book it he would charge a slightly reduced rate as we were local.
Last week, after the boiler completely stopped working, I contacted them again and they sent an Engineer. Although here only a short time, he fixed the boiler. All it was that the overheat safety thermostat had shut down the boiler.
Regarding the problems with the pipes/radiators, he very quickly was able to determine that the radiator thermostats are fitted the wrong way round and suggested that we should either fit new dual flow ones or change the existing ones around. He said that he would ask somebody to contact us with a quote for the job, which would probably involve a days work (6 - 8 hours labour).
To cut a long story short, I have now been able to determine, through a pal that has had some experience in central heating and combination boilers, that the problem is due to the fact that the Engineer, who fitted the new boiler made an elementary error.
The old boiler, a Myson Midas Sfi, has the central heating return on the left and the central heating flow on the right whereas on the new Potterton Performa 24 they are the other way round.
The engineer, for some reason, did not take this into consideration and, because of this, has connected them the wrong way round, which explains all the problems.
This being the case I contacted the Firm, explained the situation, and they are sending an engineer to change the plumbing tomorrow.
The thing that I would like to know is whether this error by their engineer could have damaged the boiler, radiator thermostats or the system in any way?
What safeguards do I need to obtain?
I have been told that I should, at least, ask for a full free service of the boiler.
The problem is that, from my experiences to date with this firm, I am not exactly filled with optimism about them doing the job correctly and giving me the correct advice.
Surely, one of their engineers should have determined the problem during one of their visits and the guy that came last week, who admitedly has only been with the firm for a few weeks, must have also spotted it but instead advised us to get them to change all the thermostats round or to fit new 'dual-flow' ones. Both of these options would, no doubt, have involved a days labour and cost, at least, several hundreds of pounds.
I would add that the firm involved is very well established.
Any help or advice on this would be much appreciated!
