MCZ Musa Hydro 15kw - thoughts

cancunia

I have a Musa 15 Hydro and had an email from RHI telling me about the MCS suspension. I contacted Specflue via their helpdesk (search for 'heatweb') and have been told that there is work in progress to test a fix for the problem. They were not really clear about the cause, or fix, but while investigations are ongoing, that's probably not too surprising. There must be hundreds or even thousands of these stoves all over europe so the number of incidents must be low or something would have come to light before now. What's also unclear is how recent the installations were for the 4 (?) incidents. I suggest contacting Specflue via the helpdesk, either directly, or via an installer to get more info, if there is any kind of update to the stoves, it will come from them in the UK.

Swampy2

I also have a MCZ stove Club Hydro 22kw. Was working fine till about a week before MCS sent out the suspension notice. There was an incident where the pellets didn't ignite built up and the burst into flames. Didn't blow the glass but did damage some seals. It's been cleaned and serviced to the book. MCZ came out immediately blamed the installation on rules they now use now not at the time of install, not part j but spec flue rules. Decommissioned it Stuck stickers on it and walked away. Left me, wife and two children under 4 with no heating or hot water. My installer has also gone bust so no recourse. I made a big fuss at MCZ and MCS and eventually gave me a contact to come and put right the installation. MCZ haven't come back to me I feel like they're not going to admit any liability and keep blaming it on installers. I'd like to know how many they have condemned and what happens to MCS listing/rhi payments. If they're lost surely it's not fit for purpose and we can all get our money back. Stoves working fine now keeping a close eye on it though. Currently getting quotes thinking of replacing it with a better model.

cancunia

I had a problem with my stove last winter when the igniter started to fail, actually the igniter was fine but the stove software reported an error. After about 3 months of complaining, Specflue came out and updated the software. At that time, they also inspected the stove and sugggested some further changes on the plumbing side which my installer made. Specflue are the sole importers so carry some responsibility for getting things rsolved, they told me a fix is being tested independently of MCZ and BRE.

Swampy, was it Specflue that repaired your stove to get it working again?

Swampy2

MCZ came to assess the stove only they were very clear from the beginning they wouldn't be able to work on the installation or stove. It appeared to me they came looking for installation issues they didn't look at the stove turn it on or assess its operation. What annoyed me wasn't the condemning but the unwillingness to help me. I had to ask lots of times to get a recommended installer to come and fix it. Everyone I rang thought I was joking no one would even come and look at it for fear of being responsible for the stove. Very poor customer service especially for a house hold with children.

It was another company that came and worked on the stove.

They were also very clear to me on the phone before they came they were sure the product wasn't at fault. All the issues they'd seen were with installations.

[Deleted User]

what I am hating is that specflue are absolutely tight lipped about what could be the possible cause, so that we can all check. Saying that it is down to installation and/or lack of maintenance is a copout. My installer also went bust and was registered as being an mcz installer. The company servicing it lately seems to be thoroughly respectable and are local mcz installers. They serviced my musa 15 last august and practically dismantled the flue in order to get it thoroughly clean, they also put in a new igniter, without request, all for £122.

swampy please keep us informed re progress, a really horrible situation for you. Cancunia you too please

Swampy2

I have just spoken to Ofgem and Spec Flue. Ofgem suggested RHI payments are going to be suspended but are going to confirm the situation via email today. Spec flue today told me MCZ have proposed a fix that they have tested and are saying solves the problem. This fix is to build the units with a pressure relief valve so the glass isn't the weakest point. This is being tested independently and based on the results I presume will be removed from rhi or put back on. If it's removed existing rhi payments will also stop.

Going to phone MCS as well I think.

[Deleted User]

Thank you so much for all that detail swampy, the fix makes sense.

I was going to come on just now to say that I have found an approved installer, local to me, who stocks the 10kg verdo pellets for pick up. Cost is a small amount higher than a 1 tonne pallet but will be good for us as storage is difficult as is moving the stuff from the road to storage. Mole valley farmers and worth the phone call. I can only really handle the 10kg bags and they tuck well in when emptying so there is no dust to inhale

Swampy2

I've just spoken to MCS they had no further updates.

Thought I'd phone Spec flue again spoke to a different person who gave less information away. He said that it was still installation errors and the fix was to cover bad installs not product faults and won't be retro fitted. But wouldn't discuss what the fix may or may not be.

I think the only thing that will conclude this is time.

captainhindsight_2

I think it would be a bit much to suspend rhi payments for existing installations. As when the application was made it was a mcs approved boiler. If they loose the mcs permanently the fault is with bre for certifying them in the first place and they should cover the cost of replacing with an suitable boiler.IMO

[Deleted User]

yes, if they admitted to a product fault then mcz would be liable to fix the fault. I wonder how many of these stoves are in the uk

In the meantime, I won`t be lighting the stove while we are away or in bed.