Atag A325 drenching in condensate when cold

[lee50]

So this winter was much colder than usual and apparently my boiler can't handle it.

When the outside temperature dipped below -5 degrees C, my boiler started having intermittent fan errors. When the engineer opened up the boiler, it was drenched all over and there was a puddle of water resting on top of the fan housing. The engineer explained to me that this is likely to be due to to the cold outside air hitting the warm boiler (not exactly sure why that would cause the condensation).

The boiler is installed in my loft and the flue goes through the wall at 90 degrees. The loft temperature at the time was around +10 degrees C. The previous winter was 'warmer' so had no such issues.

I've been trying to get Atag commercial to help explain/prevent this issue but the best response I got from them (after I cought them lying a couple of times) was as follows

There is no way in reality that this type of problem can be prevented. It most probably occurred under exceptional circumstances a may not occur again.


The only suggestion would be to run the boiler 24/7 so it does not get cold and condensate does not form inside the boiler.


Not very economical.

The engineer that came over to investigate mentioned he'd seen this before and that it might help if the air intake was in the loft. That would require a special flue (can't remember the name) that would need to have the exhaust go through the roof.

So is this normal? Is it an issue that all boilers have?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Out of all the Atag A and Q series I look after I've never seen that.

Your engineer is talking arse.

 

[John D v2.0]

explained to me that this is likely to be due to to the cold outside air hitting the warm boiler

or to put it another way, he hasn't got a bloody clue

If your condensate isn't draining then the best place to look would be your condensate drain. If the condensate is draining back into the intake the flue needs looking at.

 

[Combicert]

Vertex flue?

Yeah - engineer not correct in my mind. Post above is quite correct.

Check condensate is draining if it is then a flue integrity check would be next stop.

 

[Dan Robinson]

B23 flue is possible

 

[picasso]

b23 open flued boiler?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Indeed