BOXT - any good ?

MouldyOldDough

FreeBear said:

MouldyOldDough said:

One of the bedroom rads is 3 feet wide - seems a bit odd - because it is not a pre 70's model

This will need replacing by what size ?

bedroom 3 feet width * 52cm wide

Hallway – width 62 * 75cm height

3ft is near as damit 900mm, so a 900x500 would be the nearest standard metric size. I'd go for a type 21 (double panel, single row of fins) as it isn't much bigger than a type 11, and not as intrusive as a type 22.

For the hallway, 600x700 would be the nearest "off the shelf" size - If the hallway is noticeably colder than the rest of the house, it may pay to put a longer one in if there is space. Perhaps going for a type 11, but certainly not a type 22 - The latter would encroach in what is already (for many homes) a narrow space too much.

As for one radiator constantly losing water without a corresponding drop in pressure - That one has me stumped. It shouldn't be possible.

I am concerned about whether BOXT will be able to carry out the replacement rads because their  website implies that they can only replace like with like !

Are the pipes coming out of the rads a standard distance apart ?

Else, I suppose a short length of flexible hose could be used ?

FreeBear

MouldyOldDough said:

FreeBear said:

MouldyOldDough said:

One of the bedroom rads is 3 feet wide - seems a bit odd - because it is not a pre 70's model

This will need replacing by what size ?

bedroom 3 feet width * 52cm wide

Hallway – width 62 * 75cm height

3ft is near as damit 900mm, so a 900x500 would be the nearest standard metric size. I'd go for a type 21 (double panel, single row of fins) as it isn't much bigger than a type 11, and not as intrusive as a type 22.

For the hallway, 600x700 would be the nearest "off the shelf" size - If the hallway is noticeably colder than the rest of the house, it may pay to put a longer one in if there is space. Perhaps going for a type 11, but certainly not a type 22 - The latter would encroach in what is already (for many homes) a narrow space too much.

As for one radiator constantly losing water without a corresponding drop in pressure - That one has me stumped. It shouldn't be possible.

I am concerned about whether BOXT will be able to carry out the replacement rads because their  website implies that they can only replace like with like !

Are the pipes coming out of the rads a standard distance apart ?

Else, I suppose a short length of flexible hose could be used ?

You'll need to talk to Boxt if you want to replace a say type 11 with a type 22 of a different size - They may say yes, or leave it to the engineer.

It is possible to get extended radiator tails* so if the new radiators are slightly smaller, it isn't a problem. Longer/larger radiators, easy enough to solder new bits of pipe in - Might no look pretty depending on how your pipes are currently routed.

Should Boxt just say no, ask a local handyman or plumber to give you a quote - It doesn't need a Gas Safe engineer as all the work wouldn't involve touching the boiler.

*) https://www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/radiator-extension-tails/cat16680003

MouldyOldDough

Before I sign on the dotted line - are their any government run discount schemes at the moment for replacement boilers ? Or are they really trying to push us into Biomass and Heat Pumps ?

I am disabled - if it makes any difference ...

Albermarle

 since then, the hallway rad won't hold water - it drops down to virtually zero

How do you know there is no water in it ? How can you tell ?

MouldyOldDough

Albermarle said:

 since then, the hallway rad won't hold water - it drops down to virtually zero

How do you know there is no water in it ? How can you tell ?

You may be right - it may just be cold (no water flow)

MouldyOldDough

Next question

Fernox in line water filter - £65 is it worth it ?

There is a magnetic filter fitted as standard (free) - is this just the same thing ?

FreeBear

MouldyOldDough said:

Next question

Fernox in line water filter - £65 is it worth it ?

There is a magnetic filter fitted as standard (free) - is this just the same thing ?

The Fernox filter is likely to be a scale inhibitor device - Some use magnets, others use an "ion exchange" resin. I have my doubts that they actually work - Much of the "science" doesn't stack up and is very reminiscent of the claims made about fuel line magnets that were all the rage back in the 90s...

In answer to your question is the Fernox filter worth £65 - No. Not when you can get a similar devices from Screwfix for £24. But most boiler manufacturers recommend a scale inhibitor, especially if you are in a hard water area. I fitted one with my new boiler (got one for £15 off ebay) just to satisfy the tick box installation sheet.

A Fernox magnetic inline water filter in the CH return, at £65 is very good value - The TF1 is £95 from Screwfix... But if you already have a mag filter, you don't need to pay for a new one.

Albermarle

MouldyOldDough said:

Albermarle said:

 since then, the hallway rad won't hold water - it drops down to virtually zero

How do you know there is no water in it ? How can you tell ?

You may be right - it may just be cold (no water flow)

There maybe a blockage or could be the system has not been balanced properly after the new radiators were added.
Have a read of this thread.
Front room radiator never gets hot — MoneySavingExpert Forum

MouldyOldDough

Albermarle said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Albermarle said:

 since then, the hallway rad won't hold water - it drops down to virtually zero

How do you know there is no water in it ? How can you tell ?

You may be right - it may just be cold (no water flow)

There maybe a blockage or could be the system has not been balanced properly after the new radiators were added.
Have a read of this thread.
Front room radiator never gets hot — MoneySavingExpert Forum

It could be the pin in the TRV then? 

MouldyOldDough

Albermarle said:

MouldyOldDough said:

Albermarle said:

 since then, the hallway rad won't hold water - it drops down to virtually zero

How do you know there is no water in it ? How can you tell ?

You may be right - it may just be cold (no water flow)

There maybe a blockage or could be the system has not been balanced properly after the new radiators were added.
Have a read of this thread.
Front room radiator never gets hot — MoneySavingExpert Forum

No - we have had the system balanced properly - twice - the rad gets hot to start with but slowly over a few days/weeks starts to lose heat (water ?) from the top - until it is completely empty (and cold)

We don't top up the level because the pressure is still there - the same as pre water loss and if we top up the water - the pressure goes above 2 bar - which is too high