Turning down the water temperature?

andy206uk

This might be a daft question, but we have just moved house from our new build flat to an older house from the late 70's.

The house has barely been touched since the 70's and has a crappy old boiler hidden behind a faux fireplace in the living room.

In our flat, the combi-boiler had the ability to control the water temperature via a dial on the front. Is this possible with an older boiler? The water temperature is really hot and I can't tolerate it myself.

I figure it must be costing a fortune to keep the water so hot, is it likely that I can control the water temperature on an older boiler? If so, how?

My other worry is that my son is starting to get more mobile and soon we'll be having to potty train him and that involves teaching him to wash his hands - the last thing I want is him burning himself on crazy-hot water!

Any help or advice would be really appreciated!

Thanks

Andy

MX5huggy

You are right to be concerned about the hot water, but the bath is the biggest risk, either you running it and him climbing in when your back is turned or him deciding to run it him self and unlike a tap he won't be able to get out of the heat. Quite simply horrific.

You will be able to control the temperature but might have to buy some controls. The controls might be on or near the cylinder, have a look round post some photos or more details of the boiler.

In the end you might need a professional to come and sort it for you and maybe the boiler needs a service at the same time.

cajef

Assuming as it is an old system you have a hot water cylinder in an airing cupboard to store the hot water, there should be thermostat on the cylinder so you can set the water stored to the required temperature, the boiler should switch off when the water reaches that temperature.

andy206uk

There's a thermostat on the wall downstairs (for the radiators) but nothing on the water tank itself (unless it's under the insulation jacket). I'll have a nosey around tonight and have a look. I think it'll be worth spending the money and finding out though as the water is far too hot at the moment.

ariba10

Not knowing what make or model of gas? boiler you have.

Somewhere on the front of it should be a dial with numbers on it and a mark on the casing.

Turn it down to a lower number.

It should be near to where you light the boiler, with a window to see the flame.

cajef

If there is one fitted it will be under the jacket look for a cable lower down the cylinder that disappears under it, if there is not one I would advise getting one fitted by a plumber or electrician.

cajef

ariba10 wrote: »

Somewhere on the front of it should be a dial with numbers on it and a mark on the casing.

Turn it down to a lower number.

That would turn the boiler temperature down which while lowering the hot water temperature may also result in the radiators not getting warm enough.

As they have a room thermostat they really need a cylinder thermostat so they have independent control of both systems.

ariba10

There is no mention of a cylinder control, and they say the house has been barely touched in over 40 years.

A little more information would be helpful.

derrick

cajef wrote: »

That would turn the boiler temperature down which while lowering the hot water temperature may also result in the radiators not getting warm enough.

As they have a room thermostat they really need a cylinder thermostat so they have independent control of both systems.

They would also need a 3 port valve, not always installed with a back boiler. As ours heats the cylinder by gravity, so turning down the boiler stat would, as you say result in lower radiator heat, also would/could lower the stored hot water below the 60C recommendation re Legionnaires disease ;- "Water systems - hot water storage tanks.
As with other parts of a domestic water system, the best way to manage hot water storage tanks is to make sure that temperatures remain outside the critical range, i.e. over 60°C. "


.

cajef

ariba10 wrote: »

There is no mention of a cylinder control, and they say the house has been barley touched in over 40 years.

A little more information would be helpful.

Agreed, the system may need updating with a mid position zone valve and a cylinder stat if they are not fitted, really depends on the state of the existing boiler and system, best bet would be have it checked over by a decent reputable plumber.

Edit:- derrick beat me to it.:)