Potterton prima profile boiler -any issues?

soolin

After many years (I could write a saga!) of issues our vintage boiler has finally died for good. Part of the reason for paying large repair bills for so long is that out boiler is in a funny place and we've already had long involved issues with British Gas about how to site a new one.

It appears that the only possible boiler we can have, due to size is a Potterton Prima Profile and I wondered if there is any issues around this boiler now as I know there were issues around a different Potterron boiler a while ago.

I did notice this thread, but didn't want to muddle people by asking a different question on someone else thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2759310

gas4you

Are you sure you have the name correct of the proposed new boiler?

I ask as the Prima/profile is an ancient boiler and not currently made.

The current Potterton boiler is the promax, and I would suggest avoiding this.

A very good boiler and small in size, is the Broag Avanta Plus range.

soolin

I wrote down what the plumber told me and that was the exact name. It's a bit of a farce actually and we'd already had a major run in with the gas board about 4 years ago and now it seems that today's gas man has turned off not only the central heating (due to the boiler not working after he serviced it) but also the back up immersion heater.

Phoning round everyone we can think of now to see if anyone can suggest another fitter who might give us a second opinion.

I've made a note of that other boiler and i'll ask about it. Is it as small and does it have the same regulations as the Potterton ? Only the gas board said size is an issue as although we have a huge old boiler apparently we have to have a mini one now to comply with the regulations about being too close to a window ledge (or something).

gas4you

I do seriously think that someone somewhere along the line is telling you a load of hogwash. I can only comment from your post and without seeing your property, old boiler and position cannot give you any definite answers.

The new boiler flue must be a minimum of 300mm away from any opening in the fabric of your building. It must be a minimum of 600mm from a boundary (opposite) and 300mm if it is adjacent. I can only assume that they are refering to this when they mention your window sill.

The only definite rule is that it has to be a condensing boiler. Plume management kits are available to help flue siting, but only in certain circumstances.

Most new boilers have a physical footprint of approx 700(H)x400(W)x320(D) (mm). The flue will mostly, but not always, add an extra 200mm to the top of the boiler. Most will need approx 200mm clearance below and above the boiler, but many only 5mm-30mm side clearance.

All new boilers have to comply to the same gas regulations as in force at the time of installation.

What reason did he give and write down on the warning notice that he gave you and you signed, for turning it off?

As a technical point, nobody other than a National Grid (or other gas emergency provider) can turn off a gas appliance without your permission, though if you refused and it was genuine, the RGI would then get you to sign the form and call NG and report it.

I hope this may help, but sadly the info in your posts is a bit too vague at present for me to work from.

soolin

Hi, thank you so much for your response. I'm sorry it is so vague but the boiler has been an issue for many years now and I do not have an ounce of knowledge when it comes to gas and plumbing and just repeat what the gas men tell me..

I got a new man in today, this one came highly recommended and came out as a favour. he said the immersion had been turned off so he put that back on so i have hot water. He also says the boiler is working, but it is working too hard and without stripping it down he suspects it has just got a bit old and is struggling with a furred up system and is not working efficiently. He said th eboiler is repairable, but it is probably not economically viable to do so. He also said the same as you about the potterton boiler and was surprised that anyone would recommend a boiler that was not a current one, there is also an issue (which I didn't write down) as to why it is also not suitable for the gap it will need to go in.

He said there are newer better boilers and there is no problem at all in fitting one as there is plenty of room , regulations wise. However he agreed that it needs a long vent due to its position. He is going to call this evening and suggest a boiler and can fit it next week, he is also going to do a power flush (I may have written that down wrongly) to make the system more efficient. He is a lot more epxensive that the first man, but he just seemed to know what he was doing, he measured it all up, he drew diagrams and he just seemed to know exactly what was needed.

So, it looks like I am having a brand new efficient boiler enxt week to replace the current one which is probably around 30 years old.

aboard_epsilon

soolin wrote: »

Hi, thank you so much for your response. I'm sorry it is so vague but the boiler has been an issue for many years now and I do not have an ounce of knowledge when it comes to gas and plumbing and just repeat what the gas men tell me..

I got a new man in today, this one came highly recommended and came out as a favour. he said the immersion had been turned off so he put that back on so i have hot water. He also says the boiler is working, but it is working too hard and without stripping it down he suspects it has just got a bit old and is struggling with a furred up system and is not working efficiently. He said th eboiler is repairable, but it is probably not economically viable to do so. He also said the same as you about the potterton boiler and was surprised that anyone would recommend a boiler that was not a current one, there is also an issue (which I didn't write down) as to why it is also not suitable for the gap it will need to go in.

He said there are newer better boilers and there is no problem at all in fitting one as there is plenty of room , regulations wise. However he agreed that it needs a long vent due to its position. He is going to call this evening and suggest a boiler and can fit it next week, he is also going to do a power flush (I may have written that down wrongly) to make the system more efficient. He is a lot more epxensive that the first man, but he just seemed to know what he was doing, he measured it all up, he drew diagrams and he just seemed to know exactly what was needed.

So, it looks like I am having a brand new efficient boiler enxt week to replace the current one which is probably around 30 years old.

good luck ..you'll need it ..cause what ever one you replace it with will be lucky to go 15 years .

all the best.markj

gas4you

Glad you have finally had someone who appears to know what they are talking about come round.

As well as the power flush, I would recommend having a magnaclean or similar product fitted as well.

soolin

Boiler being fitted Tuesday which is n bad thing as the system had to be drained completely as an emregency last night as there were several leaks and water was coming in kitchen ceiling.

It looks like the new pump caused a few issues when it was fitted and the leaks built up over yesterday , hence it taking several hours to come through roof as they were slow leaks.

We are now having a glow worm Flexicom.and not a moment too soon as we have no heating and no hot water now.