Advise please - replace Boilermate 2000?

lesley_rod

Hi,

Hoping for a bit of advise, I moved into a then new build Wimpey home 8 years ago which has a Boilermate 2000 to control the heating/hot water.
It started having a problem after a couple of years with the hot water running hot/cold/hot intermittently, a common problem with them.
I've had plumbers replace lots of different parts over the years but it only ever solves the problem for, at best, a couple of weeks. The parts have varied in price but, on the whole, the plumbers have done their best.

We've got so used to it that diving in/out shower to avoid the cold feels pretty normal but I'm getting frustrated again, rather than trying again to fix wondering if replacing is a better option.

Could anyone advise what I could replace it with?
Thanks, Lesley

Johnandabby

I replaced ours with a unvented mains pressurised cylinder from Vaillant and replaced the boiler at the same time. You might need to get your plumber to check your boiler size - the Boilermate meant that you could install a smaller boiler.

It was a simple bit of replumbing in the cylinder cupboard to repipe the heating and hot water systems, and convert it back to a standard system.

Lots of different type of unvented cylinders - best known is probably the Megaflo

macman

http://www.boilermate-repairs.co.uk/boilermate-2k.htmll

Mr_Ted

Have you ever spoken to the manufacturers, Gledhills, they may be able to solve any problems, after all they should be the experts?
I have always found them extremely helpful, probably because they are an old fashioned type family business still!
They also have option available if you decide to change?
The other thing is has it been properly maintained, and could the problem actually be scale build up?
Any heat transfer system to water usually deteriotates with scale build up and this is often forgotten?
It is often that Megaflo's are used as a replacement, but, even with these maintenance is often forgotten, and is also required to validate warranties, and scale can still be a problem with these over time!

lesley_rod

Thanks for the replies.

Mr Ted: Each replacement part has been made with the advise of Glenhill - it's just never worked. I wouldn't want to buy anything else from them though as this has cost so much money. I'm in soft water area so scaling isn't an issue however as it's been 'fixed' so often I would hope that means it's been serviced. I'm no expert so could be wrong but the plumbers have said they did, on advise, and I had no reason to question them.

Macman: Thanks, I have seen that site, and forum, and it's a great source of information. Didn't think of posting there this time as think I want out but cost of replacing could rule that out!

JohnandAbbey: Having to replace the boiler too was a concern, I think it sounds like I will need to so the cost of replacing might be a lot higher than I can afford.

Sounds like I need keep the shower dance going for another few years while I save!
Thanks again, Lesley

Johnandabby

lesley_rod wrote: »

Having to replace the boiler too was a concern, I think it sounds like I will need to so the cost of replacing might be a lot higher than I can afford.

it's not a guarantee that you would need to replace the boiler, so worth looking into it. If its 18kW or over you should be ok. We paid £2,500 for a new Vaillant boiler, large 300l cylinder with extra coil for solar panels, and all installation.

Lovely hot showers since!

lesley_rod

Johnandabby wrote: »

it's not a guarantee that you would need to replace the boiler, so worth looking into it. If its 18kW or over you should be ok. We paid £2,500 for a new Vaillant boiler, large 300l cylinder with extra coil for solar panels, and all installation.

Lovely hot showers since!

Looks like I would, I checked and this is the boiler I have
Manufacturer Ideal Boilers
Model Classic Slimline SE15 FF
Fuel Type Gas
Type Conventional
Method Non-Condensing
Flue Type Room-Sealed
Fan Fan Assisted
Output (kW) 14.7 - 14.7
Boiler IDGC No. 41 395 42
Manufactured From/To 2003 - current

Is it the Output (kw) setting above?

LOL at boasting about hot showers, only folk who have shared the problem would get it these days...

Johnandabby

I know! And our previous house had a stupid storage combi as well which never worked properly. So 6 years before I had a consistent hot shower...

As its a relatively new house, I would say 15kW would be fine. The boiler can't heat the hot water cylinder and radiators at the same time, so in a normal system the cylinder takes precedent - as it only takes 20-30 mins to heat up the cylinder you don't really notice any drop in temp indoors. With your 15kW boiler it may take a few minutes longer, but your newish house shouldn't lose heat too quickly.

Still worth looking into - ours was replaced in 1.5 days and has been brilliant. Get a quote from your plumber for an unvented mains pressurised indirect hot water cylinder. Ideal, Vaillant, Megaflo all do similar cylinders - we shopped around on line and bought one for £200 less than our plumber could.

lesley_rod

I'll send the plumber a text tomorrow - worse case I find out how much I need to save, but best could mean problem sorted! Thanks for all your help.

gas4you

What parts have they replaced?

Hot/cold water is the most common fault on these, often caused by parts being replaced but not wired up correctly afterwards.

lesley_rod

Hi gas4you, I've had various pumps and sensor's replaced (and other bits but not for this problem). You could be right about the fitting as I've never found anyone who knows about the boilermate so they've always had to phone for advise. Only reason I doubt is that it always works for a period - varying from a few days to couple weeks - after the new part is fitted I would have thought if not wired up wouldn't work at all, no?