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Whatever the savings are it will surely take many years to recoup the cost of a new boiler and install, especially with gas prices now finally falling. I'm open to replacing the boiler if it is dangerous or properly kaput, but would always rather patch things and keep them going as long as...

Many thanks for the advice. Yes, there is no sign of a pump anywhere so it must be gravity fed. Given the cost of changing it I think my mother should try and have it repaired first. I found a replacement gas valve for under £60, which seems very good value...

I just spoke with my mother and checked. Existing boiler is a Potterton kingfisher 2 cf40. Apparently the boiler man said it is the gas valve that is broken. Are these boilers any good? I know it's old - but I think it would be best to have it repaired rather than the cost of replacing.

Thanks. That's good to know. What would you choose as a better boiler? It's a 3 bedroom bungalow, with large kitchen. Fairly well insulated. Approx 16 kW output needed I think.

The boiler in my elderly mother's 3 bedroom house has gone and needs replacing. It's an old open vented system with a 35 year old floor mounted heat-only boiler. British Gas have suggested a BAXI Solo 15 HE as a replacement and a total cost of £3841, including fitting and power flush...

I'd just drain down the system. It's pretty quick and easy to do, and you can use the opportunity to refill with clean fresh water and inhibitor.

Definitely hoping to avoid that, given the extra cost. We won't be using the fireplace often, and only ever for wood. Is it likely it will need lining for that?

Yes - I will have it swept before installing the new open fire. There is an excellent draw and the chimney is in good condition.

We moved into a 4 bedroom Edwardian house recently and would like to put a fireplace back in in the lounge. The fireplaces have all been removed years ago and boarded up. I am a fairly competent DIY-er and would like to try and do the work myself. Broadly the plan is to 1. Remove all...

Great that you've done that. It's satisfying to get the system cleaned out. If it doesn't work fully check that the radiators are properly balanced. I did what you did and even ended up resorting to a powerflush, but the problem all along was just that the 90% of the hot water was going via...

This loud bang noise continues. Last night my Gas Safe boiler man came around and spent a long time going through diagnostics and testing everything. My previous theory was all wrong. It turns out it is definitely caused by explosive ignition. The strange thing is that it happens...

More investigation today from watching the boiler. Once it has been on for 30-40 mins from cold gas switches off (as it at max temperature) Then a few minutes later the gas switches on again, but just for a couple of seconds while that happens the pump is off. So get a bang as no water is...

Don't change them in the name of efficiency. Unless they are really clogged it will only make a tiny difference. Once the boiler has heated the water all the radiator has to do is shed it. A larger radiator will lose heat to the room quicker (which is what you want of course) but then the...

Does anyone have any advice on what I should try before replacing the PCB? The boiler works fine, and there is no problem with the ignition. Just the loud bang noise that happens every 30 mins or so.

Thanks. I could replace the PCB but before I do that is it worth replacing the temperature sensor? Or the overheat sensor. What do each of these do? If that wasn't working could it cause the water to get too hot and then the pump would shut down for a bit. It seems strange that the...

UPDATE - I've been watching the boiler and pump. What seems to happen is that after around 20 mins or so the pump stops. At that point the boiler is still heating the water and it makes the loud bang noise (presumably from overheating and turning to steam). So, the question becomes why does...

I have now had the ignition checked and there is no problem there. The loud bang is nothing to do with the gas ignition. It seems to be to do with a water hammer effect, or perhaps air that is expanding in the system. It only happens sometimes, and seems to be when the boiler and pump...

One of the switches will be connected to a timer. Or at least should be. You need to make sure you are only heating the water at night (midnight-7am) or you will pay a lot... Check the timer has the right times on it. My tenant complained about high bills and when I checked he had set the...

My boiler (old style - non condensing) works well, but when it turns on it makes a very loud banging noise, often loud enough to shake the walls two stories away. It sounds worrying. I called a gas engineer and he said not to worry and it was just late ignition of the gas, and he said he...