Valillant ecotec 418 condensing boiler - 6 months old not working!

[doitmyself]

Hi 8m, 7m, 4 external walls, 50 mm loft insulation. 10 rads & I can't remember anything else. Thanks

I can't get exactly 19.2kW, but close enough if I assume you live in Scotland and have single glazed metal windows.

Double glazed UPV windows would reduce the requirement by 2kW and increasing the loft insulation to 300mm would reduce it by another 3.5kW. Lost insulation is a no-brainer as it will pay for itself in a couple of years. Double glazing has a much longer payback time, but would be a selling point if and when you move.

You may be able to get help paying for the improvements through the Green Deal

 

[jam1979]

if hes done a powerflush I cant see it being the heat exchanger unless he did it disconnecting the flow and return pipes to the boiler I e just flushing the pipework to the rads and bypassing the boiler

 

[pipefitter]

Hi Even if the water runs dirty on his next visit and there might be possibly another leek? thanks

Yes ..the magnetic filter can be cleaned ,it will help to clean your system ,get him to fit it

 

[kitkat]

I can't get exactly 19.2kW, but close enough if I assume you live in Scotland and have single glazed metal windows.

Double glazed UPV windows would reduce the requirement by 2kW and increasing the loft insulation to 300mm would reduce it by another 3.5kW. Lost insulation is a no-brainer as it will pay for itself in a couple of years. Double glazing has a much longer payback time, but would be a selling point if and when you move.

You may be able to get help paying for the improvements through the Green Deal

Forgot the double glazing. I don't live in Scotland but I have Raynauds so I do feel the cold which is why dealing with luke warm radiators is a real problem for me. Will ask him about derating the boiler. Thanks

 

[kitkat]

if hes done a powerflush I cant see it being the heat exchanger unless he did it disconnecting the flow and return pipes to the boiler I e just flushing the pipework to the rads and bypassing the boiler

Didn't see him disconnect the pipes to boiler , will ask him.

 

[zutman]

Didn't see him disconnect the pipes to boiler , will ask him.

Sorry if you have had this adivce, make sure the by pass on the system is closed, put prog onto heating only and make sure you dont get any Hot water going through the cylinder, close all rads except 1, when and if this gets hot open 1 other rad and close the firts one and wait till this gets hot and do this with all you rads, vent all the rads, and open them all up, the magna clean is to PREVENT and catch any rust it will not clean the system if its full of crap, the magna clean can be fitted later when you know the system is clean. I have seen many systems where the flow and return pipes are linked at the last rad (DIY install) therefore if for example all the rads and the by pass were turned off the water just hammers round the flow and return pipes, this makes it very difficult to force the air out of the system, the way to test this is to close all rads except 1 close by pass if you have one turn prog onto heating only and you will hear the water blasting round the one rad you have left open if not either the by pass is open or the flow and return are linked, give it a go or ask your plumber to carry out these steps, but i bet he may have done all this because its basic stuff

 

[kitkat]

Hi Plumber now 5 hours late, supposed to be fitting magna filter today. He is not replying to phone calls. What can I do? Thanks

 

[jam1979]

I told u that would happen happens hes either very busy not got a clue that's why he isn't answering or ill like I said just keep trying

 

[kitkat]

I told u that would happen happens hes either very busy not got a clue that's why he isn't answering or ill like I said just keep trying

I am writing to him quoting the sale of Goods Act, breach of contract giving him 14 days to respond- AND register the boiler under Building regs with the council as he hasn't done it. I'm away for 2 weeks so will have to sort it when I get back.

 

[jam1979]

tell him u will take him to court if he dosent come and sort it

 

[kitkat]

Yes, I have been advised to give him one last chance as the court will expect us to do that. So we have given him a generous deadline to sort it out & if he doesn't we will find another plumber, claim damages etc and report him to Gas safe ( that won't help him get his license back). Cheers!

 

[jam1979]

why is he not gsr

 

[kitkat]

He was when he fitted the boiler, we have just found out he has lost his gsr but gas safe won't tell us why. They were the owns who told us he hadn't registered the boiler with building regs. I would not have thought to call them if he hadn't accused me of reporting him to gas safe, when I hadn't. Must have been another disatisfied customer. It is not my usual style to make trouble I would rather resolve tings amicably but if he won't respond what choice do I have?

 

[kitkat]

He has just rung to say he's been dealing with sick relative all day, will be here at 8.30 am tomorrow. Meanwhile have just bled radiators- 2 full of air, rest ok but none heating properly. Hot water now not heating either.

 

[vern]

He has just rung to say he's been dealing with sick relative all day, will be here at 8.30 am tomorrow. Meanwhile have just bled radiators- 2 full of air, rest ok but none heating properly. Hot water now not heating either.

Get someone in who HAS a clue.....and get some money returned from the original installer, he will probably glady do this to get shut of your job etc, only do this AFTER you have had a second opinion

 

[zutman]

What town are you in?

 

[kitkat]

Get someone in who HAS a clue.....and get some money returned from the original installer, he will probably glady do this to get shut of your job etc, only do this AFTER you have had a second opinion

Hi left messages with 3 plumbers yesterday, no call back yet. Would love to get in someone else

 

[kitkat]

What town are you in?

]

hi Between Fareham & Winchester

 

[jam1979]

I hope it works out for you coz its them sort of people that get the trade a bad name he might just be an installer who has got no clue about fault finding and if he cant do the job just put his hands up and say so and give u a bit back

 

[kitkat]

Hi today he turned up, 2 hours late. Fitted magna filter, air vent to cistern and a gate valve. He will arrange for a new heat exchanger to be fitted but I can't get more time off till June so it will have to be then. I discovered I can get hot water when the heating is turned off so I can manage till then. Thanks to all of you for your advice Kitkat