Boiler issues

JuzaMum

My gas boiler was fitted twelve years ago by a tw*t, it wasn't registered/signed off and they didn't put a cowl (?) on the flue leading to rain coming in. It has a basic drop down timer like shown below. When it is set on timed, it switches off after a short while. When I put it back on ON, it works. The pressure readings are all over the place. When it was serviced, a little over a year ago, all seemed fine and the pressure readings were OK for the service. The drop down timer is not very satisfactory even when it does work, I want the heating on early on week days but later on weekends, and you cannot start the heating phase early without putting it on ON which means you have to remember to change it back.
The point of my rambling is, do I replace the timer, if so what would be a better type, or do I think about changing the boiler and having something 'smart'?  

ThisIsWeird

Your boiler is probably Smart enough. All you need are better controls.

Make and model of boiler? Photos are always good too.

And good photos of your own actual clock timer, where it's located, and of your room 'stat, please.

JuzaMum

It's in the airing cupboard. There are no room thermostats

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: Your boiler is probably Smart enough. All you need are better controls.

Yup. A programmable thermostat would be just the ticket. Set different temperatures throughout the day/week, and with an app on a phone, turn the heating on (or off) before you get home. According to some, potentially saving 10-15% in gas consumption. In reality, the saving is likely to be around 5%, but still enough to make it worthwhile.

I'd suggest looking at Hive, Nest, or Wiser - Shop around, and you'll find something in the £100-150 range.

Ectophile

I'd just add that a new timer may give you far more options when it comes to deciding when the heating is on or off, but it won't do anything to solve pressure problems in your system.

ThisIsWeird

JuzaMum said:

It's in the airing cupboard. There are no room thermostats

No room stat? So there are TRVs fitted to all/most of the rads?

Any chance of a brighter pic of that timer? Ideally also a side-on pic, and even an upwards one to show the cable going to it.

Once we know its exact make and model, we'll know how easy it'll be to replace with a receiver to take a wireless Smart Stat.

As Ecto says, the fluctuating pressure issue is a separate matter. Could you explain exactly what goes on? Eg, what's the cold pressure? What happens when the CH comes on? Do you need to top it up? etc.

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: Any chance of a brighter pic of that timer? Ideally also a side-on pic, and even an upwards one to show the cable going to it.

Once we know its exact make and model, we'll know how easy it'll be to replace with a receiver to take a wireless Smart Stat.

The make/model of the timer is not really important. Just need info on the boiler which looks to be a Glow Worm Flexicom 35cx - Not the most efficient, but still rated at 90%, so not too shabby.

Looks like this particular boiler can be used with a switched 240Vac input, a volt free relay, or eBus (depending on exact model/year). Most wireless (and hard wired) thermostats & timers will do either method of switching (i.e. no-volt or 240Vac). The current timer is probably going to be 240Vac switching. Any half decent Gas Safe engineer will be able to recommend & fit a suitable programmable thermostat.

ThisIsWeird

FreeBear said:

ThisIsWeird said: Any chance of a brighter pic of that timer? Ideally also a side-on pic, and even an upwards one to show the cable going to it.

Once we know its exact make and model, we'll know how easy it'll be to replace with a receiver to take a wireless Smart Stat.

The make/model of the timer is not really important. Just need info on the boiler which looks to be a Glow Worm Flexicom 35cx - Not the most efficient, but still rated at 90%, so not too shabby.

Looks like this particular boiler can be used with a switched 240Vac input, a volt free relay, or eBus (depending on exact model/year). Most wireless (and hard wired) thermostats & timers will do either method of switching (i.e. no-volt or 240Vac). The current timer is probably going to be 240Vac switching. Any half decent Gas Safe engineer will be able to recommend & fit a suitable programmable thermostat.

Absolutely.

I was thinking in terms of possible DIY, say by a family member, friend or similar.

JuzaMum

Thank you everyone for your comments.
The timer is easy to change, I changed it a while back as the original stopped working (if only I could remember how...). I think it just plugs in to a small connector. 
The boiler was fitted in 2011 if that help with the model.
The radiators all have TRV's except in the bathroom and shower room. 
It was hard to get a decent photo of the boiler due to the airing cupboard being full of bedding and towels.
I'm looking on Google but getting a lot of unhelpful results, as would be happy to buy one online and fit myself once I know it's the right thing.

JuzaMum

A couple more photos in case they help. I can't work out how to remove the drop down timer at the moment.

ThisIsWeird

Is this timer part of the boiler, or an add-on mounted just below it?