8 year old Powemax 155x boiler - property purchase with this is in it

[Bettyboo]

Hi All
I am interested in buying a 2 bed flat that is has a Powermax 155x boiler. It's the original since the flats were built by Barratt in 2004.
The vendor said they had an annual insurance policy and I think she said they "just call the provider" when it malfunctions. - not very reassuring!
Does anyone have any experience of these boilers? When I looked at it there was plenty of warmth coming from the boiler cupboard but I noticed the pressure was almost 0.
Please can you tell me what your thought are on having a boiler of this age, is it likely to last much longer and would it be easy to replace with a more conventional one or will the heating pipework also need to be altered?
I am trying to negotiate a deal so your thoughts would be most welcome
Betty

 

[JAH HEATING]

Powermaz, these the floor standing boilers ?

 

[diamondgas]

Powermaz, these the floor standing boilers ?

look more like a fridge!! LOL

 

[southcoastboile]

They are not to bad reliability wise, difficult to fault find on and dont expect Baxi to know anything about them when you need advice.
Last one I worked on needed new baffels which were a nightmare to change and get hold of. Was condemed untill replaced which took 2 days to arrive, then as it was cold leaks started to apear everywere.

This had been serviced every year, obviously no one had ever removed the burner. Cost around £400 total repair.

To sum up they are good when working, most people will not have seen many of them, it should last you a few years provided it has been serviced correctly and you shouldnt have to many problems, my advice would be to have it serviced and ask engineer what he thinks as its hard to say, pressure needs looking at. Make sure you ask him to order a burner gasket before service, note model number and tell him, this should be good enough info to order the correct gasket (2 diff types) Hope this helps

 

[nysk2008]

I have seen a number of these and due to way you can run the flue you will normally find that they have been placed in a void. Do you know the flue route and can you see the full lenghth?

 

[diamondgas]

If you're on a big estate then the local guy's will be familiar with them! They have their issues as do all appliances!

Replacement depends on it's positipn in the house?

Also what you're/the property requirements are?

If it's been well maintained and looks in good nick it could well carry on for another 5-10 years or so! Get yourself an independent evaluation from a local GSR guy IMO ... could cost you 50 to 100 but possibly worth it 🙂

 

[jtsplumbing]

Floor standing storage combi, boiler on top, hot water store below he has the bigger one 155 lts

 

[Bettyboo]

Didn't see the flue route but did notice a 1.5 inch pipe jutting out onto balcony. Looked like all the balaconies had them. It is in an airing type cupboard and there was a cream/white large circular thing above the boiler

 

[Millsy 82]

They are good boilers when they work (Like all boilers) great hot water and heating comes on really fast but the main problem is finding people to work on them I know several engineers who refuse to touch them and the ones that do dont realise they have to be stripped down and gaskets changed every 2 years. If you can get insurance then great but I would double check as an estate I do alot of work on cannot get cover for them.

Is this a potterton powermax or a range powermax

 

[Bettyboo]

I think because of the age its a potterton? as weren't the Range's an earlier version

 

[mfgs]

Not the best boilers in the world, by a long way. Pain in the bum to work on. Can be hard to find a suitable replacement usually due to them being located in a silly position.

 

[Mickyplumb]

Hi AllI am interested in buying a 2 bed flat that is has a Powermax 155x boiler. It's the original since the flats were built by Barratt in 2004.The vendor said they had an annual insurance policy and I think she said they "just call the provider" when it malfunctions. - not very reassuring!Does anyone have any experience of these boilers? When I looked at it there was plenty of warmth coming from the boiler cupboard but I noticed the pressure was almost 0.Please can you tell me what your thought are on having a boiler of this age, is it likely to last much longer and would it be easy to replace with a more conventional one or will the heating pipework also need to be altered?I am trying to negotiate a deal so your thoughts would be most welcomeBetty

If you're into removing the outer casing, on the top towards the back there is a little copper vessel that supports the auto air vent. It also supports the pressure line and the PRV ( from memory ). If there's scale anywhere around this, it'll be the AAV almost certainly. This'll possibly be the reason the pressure is low.

 

[Bettyboo]

I've got a strong feeling this boiler is destined for the skip. Would it be straight forward to change to a condensing boiler (even though I have heard they also aren't great)

 

[jtsplumbing]

Flue will become the problem, as it going onto a balcony , new one's make alot of steam and can cause a nuisance

 

[dancinplumba]

you could extend it past the balcony

 

[jtsplumbing]

She may be lucky and be on top floor ! Just pointing out possable down side of replacement .

 

[Nostrum]

Weighty copper cylinder in them if I remember 🙂 (unless its the newer type with stainless steel 🙁

 

[GrahamM]

There are a few in my neck of woods in the 8-10 year old range.
They are not most efficient and are a pig to work on and I avoid them every chance I get.

If it is running well and looks good inside (many don't) you may get another 3, 4 or 5 years. (who knows)

It is important you have someone who works on these take a look as they are not your normal boiler.

 

[GrahamM]

I've got a strong feeling this boiler is destined for the skip. Would it be straight forward to change to a condensing boiler (even though I have heard they also aren't great)

There is nothing wrong with a new condensing boiler. Most issues you may have heard of stem from poor fitting.
Get a decent engineer to fit a decent boiler and you should not have much trouble.
As with anything it is always better to go with someone by recommendation and get a few quotes.

Have the powermax looked at first. It may not be too bad and give you a few years to get cash together.
The low pressure may be something, may be nothing. May just not have been topped up in last 12 months or so.

 

[Bettyboo]

UPDATE well my offer has been accepted so it likes like the Powermax is mine!
Any Powermax specialist plumbers in Kent please?

 

[Mike Jackson]

Whereabouts in Kent, it's a large county?

 

[stevetheplumber]

the problem with these is theres few blokes will touch them they have to be set up different depending on flue resistance i avoid them like the clap
developers loved them all in one box and would fit almost anywhere usually flue through ceiling with no inspection hatches
if you cant see the flue you need to spend money to put hatches in so probably better to use that money on a new bouler

 

[nysk2008]

not ashford by any chance? I do a few landlord certs in ashford and the all have powermax's

 

[Bettyboo]

Bromley Town, Bromley,Kent

 

[Boilerbud]

I would really reccomend you get a breakdown & service contract with Heateam. The Range Powermax is not a bad boiler but if yours has an external plate heat exchanger these are now obsolete and like mentioned before you will have to install inspection panels along whole route of your flue which is most likley in a ceiling void (read on www.[B]gassaferegistser.co.uk about flues in voids). Most other parts for this boiler is still available.[/B]

 

[mfgs]

Bromley Town, Bromley,Kent

Not too far from me. I know an ex potterton engineer based near Bromley, I havnt seen him in about 3 years though. He may well have retired by now, I will see if he is interested and if he is I will pm you his number.

 

[southcoastboile]

I would really reccomend you get a breakdown & service contract with Heateam. The Range Powermax is not a bad boiler but if yours has an external plate heat exchanger these are now obsolete and like mentioned before you will have to install inspection panels along whole route of your flue which is most likley in a ceiling void (read on www.gassaferegistser.co.uk about flues in voids). Most other parts for this boiler is still available.

What is the reason they need an external plate heat exchanger on this boiler? They have stored hot water but also a plate to plate and a flow switch? is it to ensure hot water goes to the tap quicker, kindov like a preheat?

 

[GrahamM]

I would really reccomend you get a breakdown & service contract with Heateam. The Range Powermax is not a bad boiler but if yours has an external plate heat exchanger these are now obsolete and like mentioned before you will have to install inspection panels along whole route of your flue which is most likley in a ceiling void (read on www.gassaferegistser.co.uk about flues in voids). Most other parts for this boiler is still available.

The plate H/E still readily available from multiple outlets last time I looked.

What is the reason they need an external plate heat exchanger on this boiler? They have stored hot water but also a plate to plate and a flow switch? is it to ensure hot water goes to the tap quicker, kindov like a preheat?

The later models progressed to a plate H/E to heat DHW due to bad scaling up of the earlier models internal coil I believe.


To the OP Bettybo:
Don't be alarmed by all the comments.
These are perfectly functional and safe appliances as long as they are fully checked and maintained by an Engineer who is experienced in their workings. (as I mentioned before they are a bit of specialist system and many Engineers would not have experience of them)
They are getting a bit long in the tooth now and would not be the most efficient appliance, but if yours is in fair enough condition there is no reason why you cannot get another few years to get cash together for new system.