Warm Air Boiler Questions

westv

I added this question to a warm air thread in the "LPG and Heating" forum but I'm not sure if I should instead have created a new thread and posted it here seeing as my system isn't LPG. Apologies if I'm wrong.

I've just bought a flat with a J&S IT19-25mk2 heater - yes, I know it's ancient.

When I bought the place the previous owner indicated that the unit hadn't been serviced in the 2 years he was there (although he was only there for around 5 days each month) and he couldn't supply any documents. However, there's a sticker on the unit from a J&S approved company that mentions the unit needs servicing again in March 2012. Was there ever a time when it was considered these units didn't need an annual service - could the sticker be quite old??
I've just checked the air filter and that's clean - apart from a dead spider!

I've also downloaded the user guide from the J&S website and it mentions on there that sometimes the pilot light will need to be relit (such as when the electric supply is switched off I think). This seems to be behind the front panel but I can't seem to be able to open it - it seems stuck at the bottom but I don't see a catch.

C_Mababejive

westv wrote: »

I added this question to a warm air thread in the "LPG and Heating" forum but I'm not sure if I should instead have created a new thread and posted it here seeing as my system isn't LPG. Apologies if I'm wrong.

I've just bought a flat with a J&S IT19-25mk2 heater - yes, I know it's ancient.

When I bought the place the previous owner indicated that the unit hadn't been serviced in the 2 years he was there (although he was only there for around 5 days each month) and he couldn't supply any documents. However, there's a sticker on the unit from a J&S approved company that mentions the unit needs servicing again in March 2012. Was there ever a time when it was considered these units didn't need an annual service - could the sticker be quite old??
I've just checked the air filter and that's clean - apart from a dead spider!

I've also downloaded the user guide from the J&S website and it mentions on there that sometimes the pilot light will need to be relit (such as when the electric supply is switched off I think). This seems to be behind the front panel but I can't seem to be able to open it - it seems stuck at the bottom but I don't see a catch.

OK its a few years old but it isnt exactly prehistoric..!

Are you lucky enough to have the Janus water heater also fitted inside on the right hand side?

As far as i can recall,the front cover will just pull off from the top. I think it has grippy roller catches?

These units give very good service and there is nothing at all wrong with them.

Points to note..!

1) This heater is an openflued appliance. It is therefore vital that you do not block any ventilation outlets or intakes.

2)It is IMPERATIVE that the return air duct is secure and in place. This is the ducting that comes off the top and may go sideways into a wall vent,maybe out into the hallway.


3) I was strongly suggest that you get a CO alarm and fit it as per the instructions. Do not put it in the same cupboard as the heater and do not put it too close to the heater or other appliances.

Other than that,get it serviced annually.

westv

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Are you lucky enough to have the Janus water heater also fitted inside on the right hand side?

No, unfortunately.

Also just realised that the first two letters of the model are JT not IT!

westv

C_Mababejive wrote: »

As far as i can recall,the front cover will just pull off from the top. I think it has grippy roller catches?

Tried pulling it up and also tried pulling it outwards but without success.

C_Mababejive

Hmmm..what does it say in the user guide? Presumably you have a multipoint instantaneous water heater for hot water?

The inbuilt Janus circulator is a great piece of kit and produces oodles of hot water very economically. Of course it needs a hot water tank.

moonrakerz

westv wrote: »

Tried pulling it up and also tried pulling it outwards but without success.

It can be quite hard to get the bottom cover off. Get all your fingers behind the lip on the top of the cover and give it a good hard pull. The mechanism that holds it in place tends to exert a pull backwards until you overcome that force.

I would get it serviced initially by a J & S specialist - ring J & S and they will tell you your local one. After that I would get it serviced only every 2 or 3 years by any registered gas fitter. The "burner" parts of the unit are just basic open gas units and are easy to clean/service. The electronic control system is quite tricky - that is why I would suggest you get someone in who knows the equipment to make sure that everything is working properly to start with.

One more important point - don't believe any of the rubbish that you may hear/read about warm air heating ! It is extremely efficient - often more so than a "wet" system.

All the negative comments come from people who have "heard" this (or are trying to sell you a wet system) - they have never actually had a warm air system themselves !


It doesn't spread germs/smells round the house either.

(I have the Janus water heater inside mine as well - wouldn't change either !!)

C_Mababejive

I dont have one of these units but im familiar with them. Unfortunately many perfectly good units have been ripped out and binned due to misinformation and lack of knowledge. There have been a few unfortunate incidents in the past with open flued warm air units and people have died. The vast majority of these incidents involved incompetent installation and servicing or lack of servicing.

wallbash

I am another fan of the warm air system , endorsing all that has been posted .
Mine is a larger house, detached and with four large bedrooms ( so problem might not be so apparent to a new user in a flat)
Its balancing of the temp . throughout the house. There is always one part too cold ( or to hot)
Been in the house for eight years and still 'play' with the grills to find that perfect temp.

westv

Managed to get the front panel off. It was held by a connector at the top.
No water heater. Just a note in there telling me where it would go if I had one.
It doesn't seem to have a pilot light switch so I guess I better sort out some matches in case it fails during the winter - I don't have a gas hob.
So if I don't need to get it serviced except every 2 or 3 years perhaps that explains the "next service March 2012" when the previous owner had no knowledge of a service - it could have been done just before he bought it.

westv

C_Mababejive wrote: »

There have been a few unfortunate incidents in the past with open flued warm air units and people have died. The vast majority of these incidents involved incompetent installation and servicing or lack of servicing.

I've looked at all the door vents/loft hatch vent and they all look clear. I assume with that and getting a CM detector I should be safe?

westv

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Hmmm..what does it say in the user guide? .

Rather helpfully it makes no mention of how to actually remove the front panel!