Boiler breakdown and cover for Vokera

[Deleted User]

After my Vokera boiler broke down, when out of warranty, I was advised to take out cover with Domestic and General and I pay £27 per month.

I telephoned when I woke up early this morning 'boiling hot' as the boiler had switched itself on and the temperature was at maximum over 80 degrees. I could not get the heating to go off and Error Code E 82 was showing. It is only supposed to come on if the temperature drops to 12 degrees.

Thinking I had 24 hour emergency cover I telephoned after 6 am to find that Domestic and General only give a telephone number for Vokera who only open during office hours. If it was an emergency (thankfully not) I would have to arange for someone to come out, pay them myself then try to reclaim afterwards from Domestic and General.

This gives me no peace of mind if the boiler breaks down over Christmas or the holiday period, on a Sunday or out of hours. (It could have been worse if this had happened when I was away and the heating was on 'maximum' like this.)

If any one knows what Vokera Error Code E 82 means and if there is a better emergency cover option I'll be really very grateful to know, thank you. I'll telephone the Vokera number I was given as soon as they open.

Crimson

Browntoa

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71709133#Comment_71709133

Suggests thermostat , in that thread it was purely the battery in the wireless thermostat

I'm sure even British Gas charge less than £27 a month

Browntoa

Or the 2 parts , sender and receiver may need encoding

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.vokera.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/7-day-Programmable-Room-Thermostat-.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjB74rGktvVAhWKCBoKHYg2APUQFgglMAA&usg=AFQjCNFtZu7uXqf4jtMX8goxShBuEuqj7Q

Look at the instructions for the thermostat , you press the button on the receiver for 5 seconds or so and then follow the instructions

[Deleted User]

Thanks very much indeed Browntoa. I'll definitely look at your links. Because I'm hoping someone will come out today, after I 'phone when Vokera open, I won't try to do anything myself - but I'll definitely read your links and hold on to them.

The place is very hot (over 80 degrees) with the heating on although my hot water is only luke warm.

The last time I looked the battery signal seemed OK - They were replaced about three or four months ago and normally last for about a year.

Thank you for your quick and helpful reply. I'll report back later.

Crimson

Browntoa

I'd try the encoding thing , it cannot make it any worse

System

One of the problems with wifi controls is radio interference when receivers/transmitters are placed near to boilers and cylinders. I have Honeywell smart heating controls and the guidance in the manual is very specific. There must be a minimum of 30cm between components and other metal or electrical components. There must also be a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver; ie, no big metal objects blocking the signal. Are there any status LEDs flashing on the wifi box?

[Deleted User]

Hengus wrote: »

One of the problems with wifi controls is radio interference when receivers/transmitters are placed near to boilers and cylinders. I have Honeywell smart heating controls and the guidance in the manual is very specific. There must be a minimum of 30cm between components and other metal or electrical components. There must also be a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver; ie, no big metal objects blocking the signal. Are there any status LEDs flashing on the wifi box?

Thanks Hengus. I have not moved anything at all and there is a door between the kitchen, where the boiler is, and the hall where the 'remote/timer unit' is on the wall. It is where they were put when the boiler was installed in 2014. (Someone even replaced the batteries for me three or four months ago when 'low battery was showing because I wasn't too sure about touching it and upsetting the time and temperature etc.)

Thank you,

Crimson

[Deleted User]

Browntoa wrote: »

I'd try the encoding thing , it cannot make it any worse

Thanks Browntoa. Although I am a lot better than I used to be, I am really not good with technology. I got through to Vokera, after being on hold, and they will send someone out by 5 pm today.

I asked and they confirmed that their service is only office hours with no 'holiday or out of hours service.' No fixed time is given for visits although it will be by 5 pm today.

If there are better and reliable options I would be interested to look into them including British Gas if the plan is cheaper and reputable - although I'm happy to be having this sorted today and thankful it is not a holiday or the middle of winter. If I had been away this would have given me an unexpected high heating bill and I wonder if it would have caused any boiler damage. I'm not sure if the cooler hot water is related or maybe just a coincidence. Do you know why this E 82 problem has arisen 'out of the blue' as I really have not touched anything?

I'm happy to be having this sorted today but feel concerned knowing that there is no real 24 hour cover.

Thank you very much, again, for replying and I will keep your helpful link. I'll report back later.

Crimson

[Deleted User]

Browntoa wrote: »

Or the 2 parts , sender and receiver may need encoding

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.vokera.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/7-day-Programmable-Room-Thermostat-.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjB74rGktvVAhWKCBoKHYg2APUQFgglMAA&usg=AFQjCNFtZu7uXqf4jtMX8goxShBuEuqj7Q



Crimson
Look at the instructions for the thermostat , you press the button on the receiver for 5 seconds or so and then follow the instructions

I have looked at both links now, thanks Browntoa. I probably sound a bit feeble but I don't trust myself to attempt any adjustments. I'm very pleased to have the link and will definitely keep it. If Vokera could not come and my nephew was available he would be confident and would help me. The link you have given shows exactly the same 'remote' as I have, thanks.

I have not tried - but if I put all the radiators to * for preventing freezing (this is what I was told to do if I was away in the winter - although I'm hardly ever away) would this stop the radiators from being on 'full' as they are at present?

Thank you again for your link and replying.

System

Deleted_User wrote: »

. Do you know why this E 82 problem has arisen 'out of the blue' as I really have not touched anything?

Crimson

Boiler controls connected by wifi tend to operate in the 868MHz frequency band which has a longer range than the standard wifi bands used by domestic routers. A lot of the new domestic smart meters that are being rolled out also use the 868MHz band to communicate with the In House Display. It is possible that interference could be the cause of your problem. That said, heating controls are designed to re-establish lost contact; however, this may take an hour or two as the controls are not in permanent contact with the boiler. to protect battery life.

A more likely explanation - based on people's experience with Evohome - is that the battery/ies have become loose in the device. That is, not enough care was taken when the batteries were removed/replaced and a battery contact or spring has been bent slightly or damaged. The device works well for weeks but then the battery moves in the device which breaks the contact.

The situation that you have experienced is not usual and it is one of the weaknesses of wifi controls. The only sure way of ensuring that your boiler isn't in a permanent ON state when you are away from home is to use wired controls. That said, apart from a horrendous bill and a very warm house, your boiler shouldn't be damaged. It has its own built in protection systems.

[Deleted User]

Hengus wrote: »

Boiler controls connected by wifi tend to operate in the 868MHz frequency band which has a longer range than the standard wifi bands used by domestic routers. A lot of the new domestic smart meters that are being rolled out also use the 868MHz band to communicate with the In House Display. It is possible that interference could be the cause of your problem. That said, heating controls are designed to re-establish lost contact; however, this may take an hour or two as the controls are not in permanent contact with the boiler. to protect battery life.

A more likely explanation - based on people's experience with Evohome - is that the battery/ies have become loose in the device. That is, not enough care was taken when the batteries were removed/replaced and a battery contact or spring has been bent slightly or damaged. The device works well for weeks but then the battery moves in the device which breaks the contact.

The situation that you have experienced is not usual and it is one of the weaknesses of wifi controls. The only sure way of ensuring that your boiler isn't in a permanent ON state when you are away from home is to use wired controls. That said, apart from a horrendous bill and a very warm house, your boiler shouldn't be damaged. It has its own built in protection systems.

That is interesting and really helpful to know, thank you Hengus. I have 'ordinary' wi-fi for my laptop at home but I don't have a smart meter (although I understand we will all have to have Smart Meters eventually) and the 'remote' has not been touched since the new batteries were put in three or four months ago.

I won't do it but, if I remove the batteries from the 'remote' would that stop the heating from being on full? My place is 'roasting' just now but hopefully the bill won't be too great as it should be resolved, hopefully, when Vokera come by 5 pm today.

It's good to have all this information - and the links given by Browntoa. I'll be keeping note of all of them, thanks.

Crimson