New house - what is my boiler?

emmie8765

Hi All,

I've just bought my first house and I have been given no information regarding the heating, what it is/how it works etc. Any information would be much appreciated.

This is what I do know:
The house is 5 years old and the heating was installed when built.
There is an oil tank.
In the cupboard under the stairs I have a unit that says "Gah Thermecon" There is a power switch here that turns the unit and control panel on/off
In a cupboard upstairs I have a large tank type thing that says "Ariston ITI 210" on it. There is an unmarked power switch here.

I have managed to get hot water by switching on the Gah Termecon power switch. I have not turned on the power switch at the Ariston unit.

Any information on these items is much appreciated.

Many thanks
Emma

warmhands.coldheart

Unit in Upstairs cupboard will be your hot water tank. Unit under stairs is probably your boiler.

Very hard to give advice on the info you have posted as so many other questions come to mind. . type of system, type of oil boiler, timers, thermostats, etc. etc. etc Maybe get a friend who knows a wee bit about heating or a fiendly plumber round to advise you. they should be able to give you some advice by looking at what's there. .....

emmie8765

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

Very hard to give advice on the info you have posted as so many other questions come to mind. . type of system, type of oil boiler, timers, thermostats, etc. etc. etc .....

I am sorry I haven't given much information, this is becauase I don't know what the system is, or the type of boiler etc. All I can do is describe what I can see. I have tried researching on the internet and downloading the manuals, but I can't find any useful information describing what type of system it is and how it works.

Thank you for your suggestions regarding asking a plumber.

alleycat`

I assume it is one of these?

http://www.gah.co.uk/heating/thermeco/

Is it wall or floor mounted?

The hot water cylinder (the ariston) could be on either a system boiler or an open vent system.

If "open vent" you'd have a header tank in the loft (looks like a little plastic box with usually, horrific looking water inside).

If it is a system boiler you won't have the header tank in the loft.

The destructions for the boiler are on the website above, under either floor or wall mounted.

The switch for the water tank will probably be an immersion (electrical backup) heating element for the hot water in case your boiler breaks down.

It shouldn't usually be needed.

Getting a plumber in to give it a service and generally walk you through it probably isn't a bad idea (the manual says they need servicing annually anyway).

warmhands.coldheart

plumber would be best route as even if it cost a few quid for a call out, at least (you'd hope) they would be able to show you what everything is and how it works. Or would you know anyone with a bit of heating/plumbing knowledge who could have a look at it?
Alternatively are you in a development with other houses next door of similar age/type? Ask a neighbour if they could offer any advice if theirs is potentially the same system, good way of meeting your new neighbours!

GlynD

If you really don't know I would also recommend asking someone to come round or asking a neighbour. If it's an oil fired system it wouldn't be unusual for the boiler to be outside, perhaps in a housing against the back wall?

emmie8765

Thank you so much everyone for your comments.

When I am back at the house this evening I will look to see if the boiler is wall mounted, but I think it is on the ground. I will also check the loft to see if there is a header tank.

If the switch at the water tank is for the immersion, is it ok to be left switched off? I presume I would turn it on if it was required due to the boiler breaking down.

Once I bump into a neighbour I will ask them if they can help with the boiler/heating.

warmhands.coldheart

emmie8765 wrote: »

Once I bump into a neighbour I will ask them if they can help with the boiler/heating.

Just make sure they don't get the wrong impression :rotfl::rotfl:

alleycat`

emmie8765 wrote: »

Thank you so much everyone for your comments.

When I am back at the house this evening I will look to see if the boiler is wall mounted, but I think it is on the ground. I will also check the loft to see if there is a header tank.

If the switch at the water tank is for the immersion, is it ok to be left switched off? I presume I would turn it on if it was required due to the boiler breaking down.

Once I bump into a neighbour I will ask them if they can help with the boiler/heating.

If you have hot water when the boiler is working then leave the immersion switched off.

It is really a backup solution only as the immersion is an expensive way of heating the water (it acts, somewhat, like a kettle).

Getting the neighbours to give you a run through of how they operate the boiler and hot water should save you having to rummage about in the loft :-)

macman

So how is the heating system described in the particulars of the property as adverttised by the EA?
I find it a little strange (in fact, very strange) that you would buy a property with no idea of how it is heated and hot watered, or what it is likely to cost?
If there is an oil tank connected, then presumably you have an oil-fired CH system with a back up immersion heater. Oil is extremely expensive per kWh, but is probably the best option if the house is not on mains gas.
You may need a tank of oil PDQ, as I doubt if the vendor has left you a free tank of oil!

warmhands.coldheart

alleycat` wrote: »

.............Getting the neighbours to give you a [STRIKE] run through of how they operate the boiler and hot water should save you having to [/STRIKE] rummage about in the loft :-)

Ohhhhhhhhh I say !!:rotfl: