Unvented Systems (MegaFlo) & insurance cover

phil284 · 30 Dec 2008

Hi All,

Any experts - advice would be appreciated.

My 2 year old house has a unvented water system, Megaflo, and is proving difficult to find central heating cover that covers unvented systems. The boiler heats the water directly to it.

The British Gas cover terms & conditions don't mention that unvented systems aren't covered wheras most other companies specifically 'outlaw' unvented systems being included.

The beast that sits inside my house also includes 2 pumps - one for the cental heating & one to switch the water between the central heating system and the water tank. If the cover didn't include the tank itself, would it cover the pumps? The BG flexi 400 covers central heating failures but under the plumbing section, it mentions pumps aren't covered. However, it isn't really a plumbing pump, i.e. not for sewerage.

Taking out the cover also includes the bonus of having an annual service, so I guess I'm really looking at the tank being included, too - to have the pressures checked etc... I think engineers have to have an additional qualification for this.

Any advice appreciated - I have a local guy who can fix these things, but would rather have cover to avoid unexpected labour costs etc...

Thanks,
Phil

David937 · 30 Dec 2008

Try the Homeserve cover.

You will have to contact them regarding the unvented cylinder though.

It covers repairs to hot water supplies.

http://www.homeserve.com/insurance/gas-central-heating

simond · 30 Dec 2008

My view is that you are better having an independent specialist.

I don't know how you imagine you can save money by paying when it doesn't go wrong and when it does.

Common logic says that you pay less on a per occasion basis. That is why fixed price maintenance contracts are so keenly marketed.

Ask whether your insurance really 'services' (as opposed to 'safety checks') the boiler. Also ask that if your Grundfos pump fails, whether you will get an identical replacement or a £12 flaky CP replacement.

Also ask yourself on the likely skill set and care exercised by an insurance company operative. Will you get the same person each time? What is the compnay's retention rate for engineering staff? Are they all hire and fire subbies?

Nothing is what it seems, I fear.

phil284 · 30 Dec 2008

I guess the common theme is peace of mind. You have the cover, you don't need to worry.

Whilst a maintenance contract would cost, say, £150 per annum, a one off cost for a boiler fan or PCB or a pump would soon turn the contract into value for money. However, it may not be worthwhile paying that annual fee for only part of the central heating system. Albeit, you could end up claiming nothing at all.

The staff: I had a Potterton engineer visit and leave the boiler in a dangerous state.

One of the ways forward some have mentioned is a £7.95pm home emergency cover, with an additional cost of a local person coming in to service it anually. This way, it is all covered, subject to specific exclusions.

Why does this setup have to be so difficult??

David937 · 30 Dec 2008

phil284 said:
Hi All,

Any experts - advice would be appreciated.

My 2 year old house has a unvented water system, Megaflo, and is proving difficult to find central heating cover that covers unvented systems. The boiler heats the water directly to it.

The British Gas cover terms & conditions don't mention that unvented systems aren't covered wheras most other companies specifically 'outlaw' unvented systems being included.

The beast that sits inside my house also includes 2 pumps - one for the cental heating & one to switch the water between the central heating system and the water tank. If the cover didn't include the tank itself, would it cover the pumps? The BG flexi 400 covers central heating failures but under the plumbing section, it mentions pumps aren't covered. However, it isn't really a plumbing pump, i.e. not for sewerage.

Taking out the cover also includes the bonus of having an annual service, so I guess I'm really looking at the tank being included, too - to have the pressures checked etc... I think engineers have to have an additional qualification for this.

Any advice appreciated - I have a local guy who can fix these things, but would rather have cover to avoid unexpected labour costs etc...

Thanks,
Phil

When you say two pumps do you mean two of these:
http://www.plumbsense.co.uk/Pump.jpg

Or one of the above and one of these:
http://www.toolstation.com/images/library/stock/webbig/60151.jpg

The second is known as a 3 port motorised valve.[/b]

phil284 · 30 Dec 2008

Yes, it does have a valve as well - plus an additional two pumps. One is a grundfos, which I assume is for pumping water to the tank. The other comes on when the CH is active - cannot recall what make (not at home at the moment) but is has a white outer covering.

simond · 30 Dec 2008

One of them will be a secondary bronze circulator, common on a larger system, David.

David937 · 30 Dec 2008

That's another thing learnt.

There is absolutely no need to be sarcastic about it Simon!

simond · 30 Dec 2008

I was thinking of your comment to the OP showing him a picture of a three port valve compared to a pump.

When you say two pumps do you mean two of these:
http://www.plumbsense.co.uk/Pump.jpg

Or one of the above and one of these:
http://www.toolstation.com/images/library/stock/webbig/60151.jpg

The second is known as a 3 port motorised valve.[/b]

It could be taken as patronizing; especially when the person posting the pretty pictures is a reasonably clueless DIYer himself. Patronize people, if you must, when you have earnt your spurs.

David937 · 30 Dec 2008

I was only clarifying.

Is there a problem with clarifying?

simond · 30 Dec 2008

Thanks for the clarification.

phil284 · 30 Dec 2008

Simon - What is a secondary bronze circulator? The house in question is a two bed, one floor end of terrace.

I'm guessing this elaborate name is because my system is, in effect, in two parts? I.e. it will be installed so as to work independently of the primary central heating section when CH is not required? Thus, the motorised valve controls the flow of water from one system to the other?

gas4you · 30 Dec 2008

Why you would have 2 pumps on an installation this size completely confuses me.

Assuming Simon is correct about the second pump being a bronze circulator sounds real overkill in this circumstance, unless you have one hot tap completely at the other end of the dwelling

billcon · 22 Jul 2009

HI PHIL .....DID U GET COVER FOR YOUR MEGAFLOW UNVENTED SYSTEM?.......I NEED COVER NOW, THOUGHT U MAY HAVE A CONTACT .............THANKS BILL

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Unvented Systems (MegaFlo) & insurance cover

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