Turning the boiler off the summer

Deedoodee

Bendy_House said:

And the plumber will be reinstalling them? In which case, consider asking about the filter at the same time - about £100 - if you don't have one (I think all boilers replaced in the past 5-odd years WILL, by default).

At the existing rads in good order? Will you be replacing any, other than the damaged one? If so, also consider future-proofing your whole system by 'over-sizing' them, so that they can output the same heat, but with cooler water. Just about every future energy -efficient heating system we will all ultimately be obliged to use will be working at lower temps, so larger rads will be needed to provide the same heating output.

The damaged rad to be replaced - is that in a main living area? If so, please consider over-sizing. Eg, extra panel/fins/convectors, or even literally 'bigger'!

Yes the plumber will be reinstalling them. 

Thanks for the info on oversizing. I hadn’t thought about that. The others look ok. The one that needs replacing is in the main living area/ only living-dining room so oversizing sounds like a good idea.

Deedoodee

daveyjp said:

Many modern boilers have a summer setting which turns off the heating.

However, it also puts the boiler in a mode where the boiler fires occasionally in heating mode so the diverter valve remains operational.

I think this is what I’m concerned about. It’s not on a summer setting, it’s just switched off at the mains and we can’t turn it back on because there are no radiators  connected

BUFF

daveyjp said:

Many modern boilers have a summer setting which turns off the heating.

However, it also puts the boiler in a mode where the boiler fires occasionally in heating mode so the diverter valve remains operational.

& most modern boilers if left with ch "on" over summer will also run the pump intermittently even if they don't actually fire.

Bendy_House

Deedoodee said:

daveyjp said:

Many modern boilers have a summer setting which turns off the heating.

However, it also puts the boiler in a mode where the boiler fires occasionally in heating mode so the diverter valve remains operational.

I think this is what I’m concerned about. It’s not on a summer setting, it’s just switched off at the mains and we can’t turn it back on because there are no radiators  connected

What type of boiler is it - combi or conventional (do you have a hot cylinder)?

And, has the CH system actually been drained down, or just all the rad valves turned off for the rads to be removed?

Anyhoo, I wouldn't worry either way - the worst case scenario will be that the diverter valve and/or pump could seize, but the plumber will almost certainly be able to ease them back into life to no detriment. Once up and running again, they should be fine. And obviously, once the rads are back on, they'll check it's all running fine.

Don't worry :-)

morhen

Turned mine off weeks ago, also for decorating.  The system is drained down, not just closed valves.  I doubt I will turn it back on until October at the rate things are going.

Deedoodee

Bendy_House said:

What type of boiler is it - combi or conventional (do you have a hot cylinder)?

And, has the CH system actually been drained down, or just all the rad valves turned off for the rads to be removed?

Anyhoo, I wouldn't worry either way - the worst case scenario will be that the diverter valve and/or pump could seize, but the plumber will almost certainly be able to ease them back into life to no detriment. Once up and running again, they should be fine. And obviously, once the rads are back on, they'll check it's all running fine.

Don't worry :-)

It’s a combi boiler. the system has been drained.

thanks. That’s reassuring. The price of the renovation has gone up enough without a new boiler/ plumbing system to throw into the mix! 

Deedoodee

morhen said:

Turned mine off weeks ago, also for decorating.  The system is drained down, not just closed valves.  I doubt I will turn it back on until October at the rate things are going.

We might be going through something similar. Turned ours off expecting to have work done by a certain date and then getting no luck with trades and things delayed etc