Our Boiler Still Broken

fallen121

Posted a thread last month which can't seem to find anymore where I explained that our Propane boiler won't light.

We didn't want BG to come out because they keep cancelling and even when they do turn up, invariably they haven't read the job sheet and aren't propane qualified. Also they never have the parts. The last time we tried to get a visit we had to take 4 days off and only on the 4th attempt did they send someone who 1) turned up without cancelling and 2) was propane qualified

Even then we needed new injectors and waited a week for those and then the injectors they sent were the wrong ones (mains gas) so another wasted visit. So we ended up cancelling our contract because it was costing us money in lost days off!!

Anyhow, we have now been without heating for a MONTH. Not a problem as we have electric oil fired radiators and it hasn't been that cold. But hot water is costing us a fortune with the immersion on all the time.

Someone on here made a really good suggestion about getting a Gas Safe plumber to come and have a look. So far we have phoned every plumber in the book and also got a couple of recommendations from the people who supply our Propane but always it is an answer machine or voicemail and we leave messages but no-one ever calls back.

We tried ratepeople.com - no-one registered with them in our area. We tried the gas safe helpline; but they just direct you back to British Gas.

Can't believe that no-one needs the work, think it's the location and the fact that it is propane but we are looking at a £500 bill next month for electricity and we will basically pay anyone - but no-one will call us back!!!

Hate this bloody country sometimes. :mad:

jcorbygas

Whereabouts in the country are you?

fallen121

East Fife.

A propane qualified gas safe person finally called back this morning after much pleading. He can't come for 3 weeks.

Last night discovered that having the immersion on for 6 hours does NOT generate enough hot water for 3 people to have showers even if they're quick. Had to use a kettle to warm enough water to wash my daughter's hair and she had to stand shivering in the shower with soapy hair whilst I did it.

People with Mains Gas have no idea how the other half live!

DGJaibee

Not sure if there is something wrong with your immersion as well. 1/2 an hour gives us plenty of hot water for two showers. If I leave it on for an hour then there is enough left over for washing up too.

macman

That would depend of course on the size of the hot tank. But an immersion should heat a full tank (whatever size that tank is) in a couple of hours, let alone 6.
Are you possibly using a dual element immersion with only the small 'boost' element operating? This will only heat the top part of the tank for a quick top up, not the whole tank. After the 6 hours, is the whole tank hot? Is the tank properly lagged?

muckybutt

Op's original thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4200719=

fallen121

It's a big tank, not sure what size but I think it is unvented. It has a metal casing and not sure what is between that and the tank as can't see but some kind of polystyrene insulation. Fitted 2006 or 2007. Don't think it's very efficient. It's hot after about 1.5 or 2 hours but probably only the top part. If we are only using the "boost" element then not sure how we change this this is as there is only one switch to operate and we just leave it on longer. The guy who fitted it has since died. Not sure how to find out more without getting someone to take it apart. I could ask the boiler guy if he could tell just by looking at it I suppose. We've never really taken any notice as when your boiler is working you don't really use the immersion.