Siting of boiler controls

[freddie43]

Isn't it standard practice to put the programmer/control unit near the boiler? It seems common sense to have them there and it certainly makes it easier to control the boiler and sort out any faults. Is there no requirement for this?

My landlord has updated the (oil) central heating here, and the contractors put the programmer/control unit in the airing cupboard.

Trouble is - the boiler is on the ground floor next to the kitchen at one end of the house. The airing cupboard is above it on the first floor. And yes - you guessed - the stairs are at the other end of the house...

So when we go away, come back or just need a boost of heating or hot water there is a 70 yards round trip to change the controls - and negotiating a flight of stairs in the process!

When I took this up with the landlord he said he hadn't done this for our benefit but 'for the benefit of those who come after you'.

The contractor said it was standard practice to put the controls in the airing cupboard, but I question this.

 

[breezer]

it is quite common to have the controls adjacent the boiler and a stat eleswhere, since this keeps cable runs short

 

[gas4you]

It is standard practice to put the controls in the airing cupboard as this is where the zone valves, wiring centre cyl stat are located so it makes life easier to fit and less cost for the customer.

 

[freddie43]

But Dave, they don't have to be there!

In this installation the CH and DHW pipes came down to the old boiler. All that was needed was straight boiler replacement, keeping the pump in the boiler and putting the controller and motorised valves nearby. Instead there was two days work replumbing it all in the airing cupboard - and of course with all the new joints a leak nearly brought the ceilings down after the contractors left!

No cost saving there, and we are lumbered with a clumsy system

 

[Rob]

If you have a conventional boiler and cylinder then id say its more common prcatice to fit it in the airing cupboard. It doesnt directly switch the boiler on its in series with other controls most of which ion the airing cupboard.

A programmable room stat would be ideal but could be quite costly which most landlords dont like!

 

[simond]

There is no standard requirement and as a tenant you have no rights to influence the heating system specification.

When you buy your own house you can specify the controls just where you want them, without worrying about the cost implications because you will just want the best.....

 

[gas4you]

But Dave, they don't have to be there!

In this installation the CH and DHW pipes came down to the old boiler. All that was needed was straight boiler replacement, keeping the pump in the boiler and putting the controller and motorised valves nearby. Instead there was two days work replumbing it all in the airing cupboard - and of course with all the new joints a leak nearly brought the ceilings down after the contractors left!

No cost saving there, and we are lumbered with a clumsy system

Don't know of any new boiler that can accomodate a ch pump in it, unless it is a system boiler or combi

Sounds like you had an old gravity primary system which by law has to be converted to fully pumped.

There may have been a way of doing this easier than what was done if it was a system boiler fitted, but without doing a site survey no one on here can really advise.

Sound an iffy crowd to leave a leak that bad

 

[Paul Barker]

It's inconvenient for you but as has been pointed out perfectly conventional treatment on the part of the installer and reasonable from the landlords point of view to allow installer the decision on the ground. Were one of us on site we may have also chosen that method but offered you control which suites you at a cost. Not reasonable to expect landlord to pay for extras.

There should however be doublepole isolation (unswitched plug and socet or dpsfs) in proximity of boiler can you get him on that and then as nicely for some sort of control in the visinity of boiler?

 

[JohnD]

It's quite common to have the controls next to the boiler, but it is also quite acceptable to have them at a more convenient point for the user.

To put them at a LESS convenient point for the user is absurd.

 

[freddie43]

Thank you all - especially John D!