House Move - No Heating (Brrrrr!!)

ibz75

Hi all, can somebody please advise on this problem.

I have just moved in to a house I bought. The property has been vacant for about 12 months but all supplies are still connected and working.

The heating system consists of a Baxi Solo boiler and a hot water cylinder, and seperate controls for water/heating, and a thermostat on the landing. The problem is that when I turn on the hot water (24hr setting) the boiler fires up for about a minute, then shuts down with the 'Overheat' light switched on. It will only fire up if I use the hot water setting - nothing happens if a switch on the heating (thermostat has been set to max).

Any advice greatly appreciated.

P.S. are any of the 'fixed price' services offered by the likes of BG worth it? or are there hidden extra's?

Canucklehead

ibz75 wrote: »

Hi all, can somebody please advise on this problem.

I have just moved in to a house I bought. The property has been vacant for about 12 months but all supplies are still connected and working.

The heating system consists of a Baxi Solo boiler and a hot water cylinder, and seperate controls for water/heating, and a thermostat on the landing. The problem is that when I turn on the hot water (24hr setting) the boiler fires up for about a minute, then shuts down with the 'Overheat' light switched on. It will only fire up if I use the hot water setting - nothing happens if a switch on the heating (thermostat has been set to max).

Any advice greatly appreciated.

P.S. are any of the 'fixed price' services offered by the likes of BG worth it? or are there hidden extra's?

Good morning: as the property has been vacant it is possible that the system has been drained down i.e. has no water in it.More advice here.

HTH

Canucklehead

ibz75

Thanks for that. I can get hot water by using the emmersion heater on the cylinder, or is that a seperate water supply?. Where would you refill the system? The water pump gets very hot - does this operate when you use the emmersion heater?

ormus

is it a conventional CH system?
do you have the normal two tanks in the loft?

Canucklehead

ibz75 wrote: »

Thanks for that. I can get hot water by using the emmersion heater on the cylinder, or is that a seperate water supply?. Where would you refill the system?

Hi...I'm referring to the central heating system being empty....very common for the water to be drained from a central heating system if a house will be vacant for an extended period of time eg. a repossession or estate sale. I can't tell what set up you have from here;)...a RGI would be able to determine the exact nature of the problem after conducting a site survey. Take another look at the link in my previous post for lots of info/advice but be prepared to provide detailed info if you post on the P+H forum and answer the questions asked.

HTH

Canucklehead

ibz75

ormus wrote: »

is it a conventional CH system?
do you have the normal two tanks in the loft?

I believe the boiler is 12 years old. The system in the airing cupboard consists of boiler, cylinder, pump, and a small orange cylinder with a pressure gauge? on top. I have not seen any tanks (haven't been in the loft - access awkward).

Sorry but I am hopeless at DIY. I am in the Leeds (Beeston) area, so can anybody recommend an honest and reliable engineer?

ibz75

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi...I'm referring to the central heating system being empty....very common for the water to be drained from a central heating system if a house will be vacant for an extended period of time eg. a repossession or estate sale. I can't tell what set up you have from here;)...a RGI would be able to determine the exact nature of the problem after conducting a site survey. Take another look at the link in my previous post for lots of info/advice but be prepared to provide detailed info if you post on the P+H forum and answer the questions asked.

HTH

Canucklehead

How would I know if the system has been drained? Are there any tests I can do?

Canucklehead

ibz75 wrote: »

I believe the boiler is 12 years old. The system in the airing cupboard consists of boiler, cylinder, pump, and a small orange cylinder with a pressure gauge? on top. I have not seen any tanks (haven't been in the loft - access awkward).

Sorry but I am hopeless at DIY. I am in the Leeds (Beeston) area, so can anybody recommend an honest and reliable engineer?

Hi...try the CIPHE website...no need to be sorry as lots of folks don't have the inclination or time for DIY.

HTH

Canucklehead

keith969

ibz75 wrote: »

How would I know if the system has been drained? Are there any tests I can do?

Try bleeding a downstairs radiator. If no water comes out (make sure the rad valves are open), then the system has been drained.