Pilot wont fire up.

mark_steps

I am moving into my first home however we have been doing a lot of cleaning, papering etc, and there has been lots of dust.

Our problem lies within the fireplace in the living room. The pilot wont ignite. Now am i right in thinking that this is the source of our hot water? So we need it lit. What suggestions do you make? Perhaps a hoover nozzle to clean away any crap parts but if that still wount light when cleaned whats the next step.

I was advised to get someone out to look at it but who? The last person living there had gas and electricity covered by the same company, scottish gas i beleive.

As i say i am clueless aboyt the whole boiler, pilot thing....lived with parents far too long lol..

mark_steps

anyone help out?

daveyjp

IUf it hasn;t ahd one recently the whole thing probably needs a service. Carbon deposits build up over time which stops the pilot light working. The thermocouple may also have failed. Call a Corgi registered heating engineer - also be prepared for them to condemn the system.

stingrad

If this is a back boiler and fire unit there is little you can do other than call a registered engineer. Out of all the systems they do need regular servicing and there are numerous reasons why the pilot will not light. British Gas do a set price call out for about £190 depending on where you live that includes all parts and labour.

mark_steps

Called BG yesterday just to say we are new tennants etc and the lady told us about Homecare. We took it and was told call back in an hour or so to report the pilot light issue, Having done this they are coming out tomorrow morning. Now i understand that for the £17 i pay per month, any parts needed will be provided and i dont pay any extra.

I know this is probably a dear way to do things, but i cant afford a big bill to be paid straight away. Now will they tell me anything about the boiler if i ask like what kind it is? It does say Mcdoanld Engineers Kirkcaldy on it, googled them, got a number and called but they could not help me.

Was thinking i could to the BG thing where you get a new Boiler for cheaper. Would want a decent one.

Have i done the right thing with Homecare? As i say im new to all this and clueless!

btr30

Your "boiler" is not a boiler but a domestic hot water cylinder manufactured by Mcdonald Engineering. This is where you're hot water for baths, sinks etc is stored. The hot water will be produced by the coil fed from your gas heating boiler, (possibly a back boiler behind the fire) and/or an electric immersion heater which will be situated at the top of the cylinder with a electric cable coming out f it to an isolator (switch).
It will be more cost effective to use the gas boiler to heat your hot water, but in the meantime you could use the electric immersion heater to generate the water, but make sure the thermostat (inside the cover of the heater) is set at 60 Deg C to avoid scalding.
Also if you are tenants and not the owner the landlord has al egal obligation to service and check the gas appliances once a year and provide you with a certificate.

mark_steps

Sorry im new to all this house stuff. Me and OH bought the property, by tennants i meant we lived there sorry.

Yup i now know what i was referring to as the boiler is in fact the water tanks .
The boiler is begind the fire in the living room. New topic opened on this as i was told the boiler is so old now, no parts avail for it and its a grade G. We were advised to get a combi boiler which would be grade A. See my other post, any info greatly appreciated.