Hi, firstly apologies if this has been answered already, I have had a search of the forum and couldnt find an answer..
I have a Vokera 20-80 R.S. flowmatic boiler.
During the summer (now!), even tho the CH is switched off (switch is in 'summer' position), when we turn on the Dhw, the boiler seems to bring on the CH. This will obviously be very expensive to our gas bill if left much longer, and it is also very uncomfortable to have an over-warm house. For the minute, we have made-do with turning all the radiator valves right down, so that if the CH comes on the cost will at least be less.
This has been going on for a few months now. We would have paid for a repair before now, but unfortunately the boiler decided to pick up this fault the very week my company went bust and I became unemployed, hence we are flat broke and need repairs as cheaply as possible.
My wife seems to have found an amusing temporary solution. When she hears the boiler is operating, despite knowing that no-one in the house is using hot water, she slaps the side of the boiler. It shuts off!!
We called one chap last month (who is qualified to do corgi gas checks, etc, but he told me he didnt like vokera boilers and wouldnt even come and look at it - although he stated that such problems are commonly a fault of a 'three way valve'.
This week, we called another guy over. He said that he would cure the 'banging/tapping' of the radiator valves (which happens in the winter when we ARE using the central heating), plus the above mentioned problem, buy re-fitting radiator valves in the opposing flow direction, and fitting a new combi boiler, for £1600. This may or may not be a good price, but I don't have that cash handy. He told my wife that the boiler is also 'kettling'. To me, that sounds like a scaling problem? He also said that because this boiler is 10yrs old now, if we bought a new boiler we would save cash in the long run, as 'technology has moved on and boilers are now more efficient' But what would realistically be the savings (payback time) to such a claim?
Having read in the forums, and around on the internet, I have heard that this boiler is actually a decent bit of kit, and is worth saving if at all possible. Ive also read that the 'hammering' of the radiator valves might actually be caused by boiler issues rather than wrongly-installed radiator temperature valves.
Ive managed to download both the users guide and installation/service guide for the boiler from Vokera's website, and I am tempted to have a go at the problem myself. However I expect a LOT of boiler-engineer types will be saying NO WAY DONT DO IT!! at this idea. I was thinking of figuring out how to drain / clean the system (purchase chemicals), replace the 3-way valve kit, and then re-fill the system.
Is this something that a reasonably competent DIYer can do?
PLEASE ADVISE! (Thanks in advance!)
I have a Vokera 20-80 R.S. flowmatic boiler.
During the summer (now!), even tho the CH is switched off (switch is in 'summer' position), when we turn on the Dhw, the boiler seems to bring on the CH. This will obviously be very expensive to our gas bill if left much longer, and it is also very uncomfortable to have an over-warm house. For the minute, we have made-do with turning all the radiator valves right down, so that if the CH comes on the cost will at least be less.
This has been going on for a few months now. We would have paid for a repair before now, but unfortunately the boiler decided to pick up this fault the very week my company went bust and I became unemployed, hence we are flat broke and need repairs as cheaply as possible.
My wife seems to have found an amusing temporary solution. When she hears the boiler is operating, despite knowing that no-one in the house is using hot water, she slaps the side of the boiler. It shuts off!!
We called one chap last month (who is qualified to do corgi gas checks, etc, but he told me he didnt like vokera boilers and wouldnt even come and look at it - although he stated that such problems are commonly a fault of a 'three way valve'.
This week, we called another guy over. He said that he would cure the 'banging/tapping' of the radiator valves (which happens in the winter when we ARE using the central heating), plus the above mentioned problem, buy re-fitting radiator valves in the opposing flow direction, and fitting a new combi boiler, for £1600. This may or may not be a good price, but I don't have that cash handy. He told my wife that the boiler is also 'kettling'. To me, that sounds like a scaling problem? He also said that because this boiler is 10yrs old now, if we bought a new boiler we would save cash in the long run, as 'technology has moved on and boilers are now more efficient' But what would realistically be the savings (payback time) to such a claim?
Having read in the forums, and around on the internet, I have heard that this boiler is actually a decent bit of kit, and is worth saving if at all possible. Ive also read that the 'hammering' of the radiator valves might actually be caused by boiler issues rather than wrongly-installed radiator temperature valves.
Ive managed to download both the users guide and installation/service guide for the boiler from Vokera's website, and I am tempted to have a go at the problem myself. However I expect a LOT of boiler-engineer types will be saying NO WAY DONT DO IT!! at this idea. I was thinking of figuring out how to drain / clean the system (purchase chemicals), replace the 3-way valve kit, and then re-fill the system.
Is this something that a reasonably competent DIYer can do?
PLEASE ADVISE! (Thanks in advance!)
