Heating system- clueless!

Imelda

Hi all,

I have just moved into my new house and am trying to fathom the whole heating/ water system. My DH is working away at the moment (great timing!) and so lots of things are being left to me to sort out...

I called British Gas to get an idea of how much it would cost to cover our boiler- they asked me loads of questions and I could not answer many of them! So embarrassing

So, I wonder if you could help me narrow down what type of system we have? (I have previously lived in flats so had the usual economy 7 rubbish heating).

We have a gas boiler (Potterton), a hot water tank in the utility room and the survey mentioned a tank in the loft. There is a wireless thermostat in the living room and I think a receiver next to the boiler. We set times for heating and water to come on and off. There is also an immersion switch next to the hot water tank.

I'm not sure where the cold water comes from in the bathroom, I thought it would be the tank in the loft but we have a pump for the bathroom (it's a 3 storey house, hot water tank on 1st floor, bathroom on 3rd) and surely if the water was coming from above the pump for cold water wouldn't be necessary?? I used to have a pump for my shower in my old flat and I am sure it was just for the hot water in the shower... In this house we have the pump for all the bathroom taps and shower head but not the toilet cistern.

God, I am confusing myself

I have got a plumber coming out in the next couple of weeks to sort out a problem in the downstairs loo and I don't want to sound like a complete numpty.

thanks for your help, and I warn you in advance this is the first of many stupid questions to come from me over the coming weeks.....

Imelda

thanks very much, sorry for lengthy time to reply- we still have no telephone line/ internet....

we have decided against british gas and have paid a little bit more for our home insurance to have emergency cover which should do the same thing but for a lot less £££.