How can I protect boilers in outhouses?

[Jock Spanners]

Evening all,

I have an interesting problem. I look after twelve alms houses that had Vaillant Ecotec combis installed about three years ago by some national company. They were installed in the old single brick wall coal houses which have no roof insulation - just slates. Being a charity, run by retired people, it's all been a shambles and their warranties weren't registered. I was asked to maintain them. So far I have replaced three gas valves and two heat exchangers. The heat exchangers cost £420 each! These are probably the best combis on the market yet they are failing and costing the charity a fortune. All I can conclude is that it's winter weather causing the damage. Yet I have plenty of combis in lofts. Has anyone got any ideas? Should we box the boilers in? Should we insulate the roofs? Do they need addiitional frost stats? I'm at a loss.

Duncan

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Don’t think it’s the winter as unless the condense has backed up can’t see how it could break gas valves boiler has a frost stat

as for the parts bill recommend a fixed price repair on major items £275 would cover the gas valve and main hex if both went at the same time

 

[Scott_D]

Buy a boiler, swap one to get the warranty and use the removed one for spares?
Do they need a Y strainer on the gas to protect the valve?
Is it dusty in there and they are sucking it in?
Insulate the pipework and maybe try and reduce draughts under doors etc and as you say its no different to a loft.

 

[gmartine]

I assume you've checked the water quality and the PH. If they were thrown up by a national were they thorough enough cleaning the systems or are they aging and difficult to clean. Consider plate separation to be sure?

 

[Jock Spanners]

Don’t think it’s the winter as unless the condense has backed up can’t see how it could break gas valves boiler has a frost stat

as for the parts bill recommend a fixed price repair on major items £275 would cover the gas valve and main hex if both went at the same time

Unfortunately we are dealing with old people here. Vaillant couldn't come out for several days when the last heat exchanger went so I had little choice but to do it.

Buy a boiler, swap one to get the warranty and use the removed one for spares?
Do they need a Y strainer on the gas to protect the valve?
Is it dusty in there and they are sucking it in?
Insulate the pipework and maybe try and reduce draughts under doors etc and as you say its no different to a loft.

It's actually very clean. It's all been whitewashed etc

 

[Scott_D]

I assume you are Scottish 😂
Did you get the recent really cold spell in you’re area? That can’t have been good for a boiler outside

 

[Jock Spanners]

I assume you are Scottish 😂
Did you get the recent really cold spell in you’re area? That can’t have been good for a boiler outside

Minus 14 at its worst