Recent content by marctheg

Good point, it is a risk and lots of people have taken it, I will be honest if my house had been a 'C' I would have had the system fitted but the more I have delved into this the muddier the waters have become. Are solar panels worth it? probably yes in the long run, am I going to buy? hmm...

Whitespirit66, I hadn't even thought of that, another couple of grand for another boiler. The panels are good for 25 years but the efficiency does drop off over that time, by year 20 they will only be 80% of their original efficiency. I've also been told I will need another inverter (part of the...

Thanks Tony, the boiler alone won't get me to a 'C' but if I add in the solar panels as well I will reach my target. What I need to do now is weigh up whether it's worth all the aggro for a saving of 10 -12% or 15% as gaspro1981 said coupled with the cost of the panels (anything from £5500 to...

The energy performance certificate lists what improvements can be made together with installation costs which are estimated and typical savings per year which are obviously also estimated. Improvements range from internal or external wall insulation with an installation cost of £4000 to £14000...

I knew when I posted 'E' someone would spot the mistake, anyway it's an 'F' and I'm doing it so I can qualify for the feed it tariff for solar panels. To get back to the real point of my question though, do I change my trusted old Vaillant VCW GB 221 for a modern boiler? and how much more...

Hello Tony, It's the official Energy Performance Certificate https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates government regulated so it's obviously an idealistic pile of c**p. Unfortunately there is no way around it, I either fit a new boiler or I stay as an 'E' rated...

Hi, I've recently had an energy survey done on my house and it has come out a very poor 'F' rating. I have all the usual loft and wall insulation together with double glazing and the like, what I have been told is that if I replace my 20 year old Vaillant VCW GB 221 LPG boiler for a modern...

I would like to have some idea of what's wrong before I contact an engineer. I've had parts fitted in the past only to find the fault still present, last time this forum pointed me in the right direction after two BG engineers couldn't fix it. Many thanks Marc

Hello, I have a Vaillant VCW GB 221, yesterday I came home to find the house was really hot and on further investigation realised the boiler was not regulating the temperature as it should. I don't have a room thermostat and rely totally on the rheostat type control (black dial numbered 1 - 9)...

Thanks for your advice fellas, I've got a slightly better understanding of my old boiler now, hopefully I won't get ripped off again. I've arranged for the independent engineer to come and have a look next week. If I need any more help I know where to come. Regards Marc

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've checked the temperature now with an accurate thermometer; Mains water straight from the tap is 9C Running the hot tap at 8 litres/minute the temperature peaked at 59C Is this normal? Regards Marc

"Quickly" your not wrong there Tony, the service was 30 minutes and involved a lot of hoovering and the parts were another visit 20 minutes in and out. I don't know what he checked, perhaps I should ask for a service schedule like I get for my car. I've checked the outflow temperature with the...

Hi, the boiler has been serviced in the last month by BG and a new NTC sensor and safety switch fitted because of the problem, but it seems like this guy is just going to change parts until he finds the fault, he has mentioned a new water valve as mine is showing signs of age with scale on the...

Hi, I have a Vaillant VCW GB 221 and am having problems, the DHW it's too hot. The DHW always used to be on the cooler side even with the dial on the water valve turned to maximum but recently the water has been scalding from the taps. The boiler had a new NTC sensor and safety switch fitted but...