Potterton Powermax safety upgrade

deejaybee

HI,

We have a Potterton Powermax HE 85 Boiler in our flat.

Recently had a letter from Potterton,

relevant bits:

Potterton Powemax HE boilers manufactured between 2001 and the end of week 46 2005 were manufactured with an aluminium flue/condensate connector. Our continuous improvement programme has highlighted that, in very extreme cases, where several factors occur simultaneously, carbon monoxide (CO) above normal operational levels could potentially escape from this flue/condensate collector.

As you would expect, Potterton takes safety extremely seriously. Therefore, even though the risks are very small, as a precautionary measure we are recommending that original aluminium flue/condensate connectors are upgraded with black composite plastic versions, irrespective of their condition.

Anyway, I have called them with my serial no etc and they have confirmed mine is ine if the affected models, and have booked a visit from engineer to supply and fit a replacement connector ( completely free of charge ).

I am posting this, firstly as a heads up to anyone who may have a Potterton Powermax HE boiler and has not received a letter/ is unaware of this issue.

Secondly, although the connector upgrade is free of charge..............

" Only the component upgrade will be supplied free of charge. If, during the upgrade process the engineer identifies any installation, system or flue issues requiring additional remedial action they will discuss the cost with you before any work takes place" .

Now I obviously do not expect a free boiler service, but I am a little worried that once boiler is in bits, I will be given a shopping list of things that need sorting !!

( have lived here for approx. 9 months, and have had no problems with boiler, apart from pressure dropping slightly, but I found a slight weeping leak on one of rads, fixed that, which sorted pressure )

It was serviced shortly before we moved in, and I had planned to get it serviced again in September using a local gas engineer. ( I don't know who will be doing the flue/condensate connector upgrade )