Central Heating Problem

hansi

Just wondered if someone could give me some advice. I have a central heating/hot water system with a Glow Worm boiler and I can have hot water and ch on or off independently. Just felt one of the upstairs radiators and it was warm even though the actual central heating is off. The downstairs radiators are ok (cold) and all I did was switch the hot water on. I think it may be a problem with the valve that switches from HW/CH and vice versa. I am covered by the BG Homecare scheme., but just wondered if anyone has come across this before and how they solved it. Thanks :T

Pincher

If the upstairs warm radiator is the bathroom one I wouldn't worry about it.

They connect it in the hot water circuit so that you can dry your towel on it, especially if it was a towel radiator. This means that even if the heating is off all summer, that radiator will heat up when your water is being heated.

hansi

With respect, that isn't the point. This has not happened before, which is why I asked the question. The radiator in the bathroom is not a towel radiator. If I wanted it on, I would switch it on.

penrhyn

Have you checked the position of the actuator on your motorised valve. There is normally a small indicator arm/paddle that is either up down or at a mid position depending on whether heat, water or both heat and water are being called for.
If you can get someone to turn the water/heating or both on in sequence you should hear the motor and observe the arm move. If its stuck then you have your answer.

hansi

Thanks, I think that is the the answer. My programmer is near the valve and I noticed the lever had dust all,over it and wasn't moving. So, in the words of Arkwright, I gave it a j-j-j-jiggle and it seems to be working now. I'll have to wait till the radiators go cold again beore I try it again. Than you for your constructive answer.:beer:

penrhyn

Tidy:beer:

hansi

arf tidy too :beer:

2010

Sorry to hi-jack the thread but I have a similar problem.
The sliding lever is "dead" ,no pressure on it either way.
If I switch on my hot water and CH neither get hot.
If I switch on just HW it doesn`t work either.
BUT if I switch on my CH only, then everything works OK,hot water and radiators get hot.

I have been carrying on like this for the past six weeks because I don`t want to upset anything in the current cold snap and can`t get it fixed.
I never use the HW alone so do you think it`s OK to carry on until the thing finally goes and needs to be replaced.
I`m assuming the problem is the motorised valve,which has become stuck.

Andy_WSM

If it's already jammed then it won't get any worse. If you are happy with the heating the way it is, then leave alone, save yourself some money.

hansi

I blew some air into mine as it was very dusty outside. Have you tried that and jiggled it?

2010

Andy_WSM wrote: »

If it's already jammed then it won't get any worse. If you are happy with the heating the way it is, then leave alone, save yourself some money.

Thanks andy,my sentiments entirely.