Could a simple fix to our Magnetic filter really have transformed our Central heating?

[sololite]

Could a simple fix to our Magnetic filter really have transformed our Central heating?

British Gas put our boiler and associated bits and pieces in about ten years ago. For 10 years we've been disappointed with general warmth in the house during the cold months but just put up with it thinking that our old 30's house just wasnt able to retain the heat.

Since I retired I've taken a lot more interest and noticed that the boiler rarely runs continuously. Instead it runs for a bit then shuts down before restarting. I once mentioned it to a gas engineer on a service visit who said it's normal and the boiler was 'modulating'.

Then this week on our annual service the engineer found he couldnt shut off the isolation valves on the magnetic filter in order to clean it and so replaced them both.

Here's the AMAZING bit, our central heating system is now running continuously, all the rads are piping hot and the house is toasty. The boiler no longer 'modulates'.

Could it really have been as simple as a faulty isolating valve, restricting flow? Could the engineer have set something inside the boiler during the service to make it run differently?

I appreciate your views on this and by the way I ain't complaining !!

 

[terryplumb]

Restriction at the filter could cause the symptoms you describe,but the valve/s would need to be virtually closed ,when in the open position. I can't say I have ever seen isolation valves on a filter failing in this manner ,or if indeed they can.

 

[durhamplumber]

Instead it runs for a bit then shuts down before restarting. I

That is not correct.Modulating is burning at a lower,constant rate.Not on/off/on..Sounds like something has been causing problems since day 1.Could have been debris partially blocking a valve since day 1 and the filter has never been cleaned to high light it.

 

[dilalio]

Sounds like you had an engineer who did a "proper" service... How long did he take?

 

[sololite]

The first subcontractor just checked the boiler and was gone in a flash after he booked someone to change the isolation valves. The second guy was British Gas and spent a couple of hours replacing the valves. All a bit of a mystery then.

 

[BoilerBob]

Mag was blocked seen this on loads of British Gas installs they flush the system but don’t clean it properly which leaves loose sludge that’s the prob. Bob

 

[ScottishGasMan]

Is it a Magnaclean Filter? had a few of them with dodgey isolating valves where the handle position doesnt tie in with the actual position of inside of the valve, so when they look open there actaully partially or fully shut. Of course if that was the case it "would" have been picked up when the installer checked and commissioned the system, and then again any service afterwards.