Central heating
 

My heating and hot water have stopped working. :-(
The thermostat in the hall clicks when I turn it past about 13-14 degrees.
The boiler has it's little light going.
I've reset the switch in the airing cupboard (with the reset button).

I'm assuming it's either the central heating pump, or the thermostat in the boiler, would that be a safe assumption?
There is some little switch in the airing cupboard that has a little lever thing - auto or manual - that was replaced 7-8 years ago because I had no hot water, but this time I have neither (and I don't have an immersion heater).

Anyone got any suggestions, or failing that, any recommendations for someone who can help in the Reading area?

Thanks! :-)

Re: Central heating
 

Have you checked the pressure? if it has dropped below 1 bar top it up to about 1.5.

Re: Central heating
 

Have you still got cold water?
"13-14 degrees" means that is what your house temp is so it is turning off when it reaches that point
What light is on the boiler - led or is it a flame?
Have you turned boiler off and then on again?

You seem to imply you can hear the pump running?
If its the thermostat boiler would fire quickly then go off

You need to contact a compnay that specialises in boilers eg British Gas as some boilers are not worth repairing

All this may of be no use to you as my other half who tells me what to type is in Manchester and not Reading!!!!!!
Goodluck on your repairs
xx

Re: Central heating
 

Homeserve is a company I have used for many years. I take out an annual policy that covers me for any such mishaps. See if they are worth for your case as well.

Re: Central heating
 

What boiler is it?

Re: Central heating
 

Ah, I might have mislead you into thinking I knew what I was talking about... I've no idea how to tell the pressure of my system, or indeed how to cram more in there if that was required! :-)
I think it's a (probably simple) job for a pro.

Thanks LP (+ other half).
Still got cold water. I can see the flame in the boiler ok. I've turned it off and on again (I'm in IT so it seemed like the first thing to try!). I can feel the pump running when I use the timer to get the CH running, if I put my hand on the pump.

Cool, thanks for the tip. I'm happy to pay for the work, but it's just pot luck if I go to the yellow pages and pick a random advert. Through desperation (I'm a southerner so feel the cold! :-) ) I phoned 3 adverts and was told that they were not working at the minute, and a big place that said they were open 24x7x365 but I got no answer! :-(
I'll pick some other places tomorrow and see how I get on.

The boiler is a Potterton F40 - been in the house since I bought it (new) about 13 years ago. I *think* (guess) that the boiler is ok (feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong), as the flame is on that and it seems to be functioning; I think it must be a valve or something that's not switching as it should and passing hot water around the system.
Near the pump is a little square box that has a lever on it - "Auto" or "Manual open". I seem to remember that this little box of tricks died about 10 years ago - I seem to remember that I lost my CH then (but I still had hot water, or it may have been the other way around). Is it possible that this thing has gone wrong again? Is there a specific name for it? And roughly how much should it cost to have it replaced? (just so I don't sound like a complete idiot and get ripped off!)

Many thanks for all your input - I'll try a lot of things, but I think this is beyond the limits of my knowledge!

Rgds

Re: Central heating
 

the valve with the lever on it is the two/ three port valve , it may have died may just need a new motor putting in it, see if you can manually open the valve, push the lever all the way open allow it to close a little and hook it into the latch, this keeps the valve open, you should then have heating, but maybe only for the times when the boiler is heating up the hot water. i doupt your system will be pressurised, if it is you will have a gauge somewhere that registers the pressure, if not you will have a small tank possibly in the loft to fill up the heating system with water. hth.

Re: Central heating
 

same system here... those 3 way valves are the weak point in the system.....

if you can hear the boiler fire up when you move the room stat and can hear the pump running it will be the valve...

isolate the mains to the valve take the silver top cover off
restore the power - you now have 240v live there - be careful!!
move the room stat from 0 to say 30 and observe the movement of the valve

it takes a couple of seconds for it to open/close if nuttin happens replace the valve.... you can replace the electrical bit first as the unit is in two bits and its usually electrics that get goosed...

if no go the valve mechanism needs replacing (spanners and water will be involved !!!)

these valves usually last 12-15 years
about 45 sobs (complete) from B&Q if your stuck
30 from plumbers merchant

Re: Central heating
 

Thanks guys - it sounds like it's this valve that has gone (I don't need to use any force to move the lever, and I don't need to hook it on to the little thing that looks as if it would stop it from moving back to the "Auto" setting). I'll get someone to replace it - it's out of my league - the last time I did anything "interesting" with real electricity, I short-circuited Texas Homecare for a few hours (don't ask - it involved a step ladder, a Stanley knife, a (large) live cable and resulted in some pliers being welded to said cable!).
Thanks for all the info - really appreciate it - I've learned something, and have reached the levels of my knowledge - time to get an expert involved.

rgds

Re: Central heating
 

I know this might not help but, have a read of this Forum.