Heating working but NO hot water

Mrs_Arcanum

The central heating is working fine (Potterton Condensing Boiler) but we have no hot water. Nor can we get hot water by switching on the immersion :eek: (too terrified of the cost to leave on for more than 20 minutes). Water heating temperature has got lower over the last few days and only managed a shallow bath by switching the diverter valve to manual.

Any help as to the possible problem and cost of repair is appreciated.

macman

So you're saying it works if you move the motorised valve manually?
If so you've already done the diagnosis-the valve is sticking/blocked or the motor is failing to open/close it fully.
Have you tried just waggling it about a few times to see if you can free it up?
Changing the head is a quick job, the whole valve is a bit more time-consuming.

macman

Totally agree. A standard 3kW immersion is only going to cost you around 30p an hour to run.

BaldPlumber

Problem is either programmer, cylinder stat, actuator or valve. Any competent heating engineer will diagnose within 5 minutes.

Cost would likely be minimum £80 maximum £250, depending on area, difficulty and faulty part.

As previously said, use the immersion heater - this is why you have one.

Mrs_Arcanum

Will be brave tomorrow & leave the immersion on for an hour to see.

Mrs_Arcanum

Well the immersion worked up to a point. Now thankfully all fixed for £60 :T:T:T the valve was stuck in the heat position.

macman

So what was the problem then?

Mrs_Arcanum

macman wrote: »

So what was the problem then?

Just edited my post

Diverter valve stuck in the heat position. :rotfl:

macman

Which was why I suggested waggling it a bit it my first post. Hopefully the plumber did more than that and changed the valve or head.

27col

You can leave the immersion heater on as long as you like. Once it has got up to temperature it will switch itself off. If the cylinder is properly insulated it will lose very little heat, and you will have hot water on tap. The cylinders with the sprayed foam insulation lose very little heat, you have only to feel the outside of the lagging to know this. The cylinders with a loose jacket will lose quite a lot more heat, so the fixed insulation is preferable.