Thinking of installing a new boiler?

emH_3

Hello,

I just want to make people aware of a problem we came across after we installed a Worcester Bosch boiler.

We installed a combi boiler and as our flat had the originial boiler in it with a massive water tank so we decided to put our new boiler in the loft so we could have the cupboard space where the tank and boiler used to be.

Everything was fine but when the boiler developed a problem Worcester Bosch refused to come out and look at our boiler as we had no fixed ladder access to the loft. This is common with lots of boiler suppliers now so if do think about installing a boiler in your loft then you must have a ladder which is fixed to the attic loft door or at least phone up the boiler company to check they will come out. They won't accept a freestanding ladder with hooks to make it more secure.

Ironically our loft has no floorboards, is filled with fibre glass but that wouldn't cause a problem it seems but due to health and safety reasons Worcester Bosch will never repair our boiler as we can't get anyone to go up the ladder.

And due to the way the flat is set up, it would be very difficult to fit a fixed ladder.

ognum

emH wrote: »

Hello,

I just want to make people aware of a problem we came across after we installed a Worcester Bosch boiler.

We installed a combi boiler and as our flat had the originial boiler in it with a massive water tank so we decided to put our new boiler in the loft so we could have the cupboard space where the tank and boiler used to be.

Everything was fine but when the boiler developed a problem Worcester Bosch refused to come out and look at our boiler as we had no fixed ladder access to the loft. This is common with lots of boiler suppliers now so if do think about installing a boiler in your loft then you must have a ladder which is fixed to the attic loft door or at least phone up the boiler company to check they will come out. They won't accept a freestanding ladder with hooks to make it more secure.

Ironically our loft has no floorboards, is filled with fibre glass but that wouldn't cause a problem it seems but due to health and safety reasons Worcester Bosch will never repair our boiler as we can't get anyone to go up the ladder.

And due to the way the flat is set up, it would be very difficult to fit a fixed ladder.

Interesting, who installed the boiler in the loft? Can't they service and repair it?

emH_3

Hi Ognum,

I hired a plumber who spent a week fitting the boiler. I did phone him but as he pointed out the boiler was still under warrenty so if he came out he would have to charge me where as Worcester Bosch wouldn't charge me. Anyhow it was a very simple problem and I managed to fix it myself, fingers crossed we don't have a serious problem with it.

But I will have to pay for the plumber who installed it to come out and service it while it's under warrently as under our leasehold agreement we have to show the boiler was serviced each year.

If we had a fixed ladder then you would still need to haul yourself up by the beams to get in the loft due to way the loft was build. Health and safetly madness!

G_M

ognum wrote: »

Interesting, who installed the boiler in the loft? Can't they service and repair it?

OP is presumably relying on the manufacturer's warranty, and the installer will try to avoid costs by refering OP to the warranty too.

However, if the installer supplied the boiler as well as fitting it, then the OP can chase the installer for both manfacturing faults and installation faults.

Annie1960

I'm very surprised that a qualified GasSafe engineer would fit a new boiler somewhere without adequate access.

Did he register the boiler with the local authority, and did you get a building regs. compliance certificate?

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/gas_safety_in_the_home/building_regs_certificates.aspx

ognum

emH wrote: »

Hi Ognum,

I hired a plumber who spent a week fitting the boiler. I did phone him but as he pointed out the boiler was still under warrenty so if he came out he would have to charge me where as Worcester Bosch wouldn't charge me. Anyhow it was a very simple problem and I managed to fix it myself, fingers crossed we don't have a serious problem with it.

But I will have to pay for the plumber who installed it to come out and service it while it's under warrently as under our leasehold agreement we have to show the boiler was serviced each year.

If we had a fixed ladder then you would still need to haul yourself up by the beams to get in the loft due to way the loft was build. Health and safetly madness!

Who monitors this clause in the lease agreement?

m_13

Interesting. When we contacted the manufacturer to come and service our new boiler at the first time they asked me for the size of the opening to gain access to ensure that the engineer could fit. Apparently they've had some larger engineers struggle with tiny loft hatches. Fortunately our new boiler is in the garage and the doors are large enough to get a car through so no problem. The boiler was serviced again recently and we were asked the question again.

Annie1960

There does seem to be a modern trend to put boilers in the loft, something I don't like at all.

You should keep an eye on the pressure gauge on combi-boilers. Mine is in the kitchen so it's easy to do.

I don't think I would check it if it was in the loft. I've got a buyer for my current house and am looking at properties to buy, and the ones that have boilers in the loft I don't even consider.

captainhindsight_2

The person who fitted it should have ensured adequate access, so fixed boards in the loft to access the boiler and appropriate access to the loft.

The loft is a good place for the boiler as it is out of the way, and providing you have a good remote programmer you can see everything you need on there.

The access is only really required for emergencies and servicing/maintenance

Ronaldo_Mconaldo

We had a new combi boiler in December, a Worcester Super Doofer too. It replaced the old boiler, hot water tank and the two tanks in the loft. He put it in our airing cupboard rather than the kitchen which has been great but took a lot of work. Anyway, for a while I did think it would be great to have it in the loft but realistically, apart from checking the water pressure we've needed quite regular access to turn it on as sometimes it's on timer but you need to get to the boiler switch to bypass the timer when it's really cold.

Don't think I could be doing with running up and down into our loft for that. Also it gets freezing cold in our loft in winter, not sure if that would be a problem for the boiler.

anselld

emH wrote: »

And due to the way the flat is set up, it would be very difficult to fit a fixed ladder.

Don't see why.
A "fixed" loft ladder still folds up into the loft when not in use.
Not difficult or expensive to fit.