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- 17 Mar 2005
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Hi all
I recently had a new boiler fitted, to comply with the law I got a CORGI reg'd chap who specialised in heating.
The boiler he put in was a Ravenheat condensing combi, CSI85 I think the model is, coupled to the existing 10mm microbore system with 9 radiators.
My comments really relate to the installation
1) He's side flued the boiler, but instead of angling the flue up and away from the boiler (as specified in the installation manual), it is, if anything, pointing down a tad. Condensate drips from the flue terminal, when I quizzed him on this he said the slope is provided by the inner flue pipe, which is central on boiler exit and offset to the top at the terminal. He claimed the condensate was appearing because the flue is short hence the fan blows it up there. He also said the fan was fixed speed - (the installation manual states it is modulated speed)
2) He's taken the hot water outlet via 10mm plastic pipe, coupling it up to the existing 15mm hot water pipework under the kitchen sink. When I quizzed him about the flow he said it would not affect it.
3) The cold water supply he's taken a really tortuous route, using a redundant 15mm pipe to pick up from the cold water shower feed in the loft - rather than pick up from under the kitchen sink (the boilers located under the stairs, in the hallway.
4) Ironically, despite the existing rads and pipework being almost 20 years old, the only leaks were on two of the compression joints at the boiler connections - done by this chap!
In all fairness, it does heat the house very nicely. Hot water flow is a bit slow upstairs.
I have a friend who does sales and training for Baxi Potterton, he's come up the "hard way" having been a gas fitter for them originally. When he saw the flue, he comfirmed it should definitely be pointing up and away from the boiler. He also said the 10mm pipe in the hot water was B&%Dcks also.
The CORGI thing doesn't guarantee quality of work, however the boiler manual states it should be installed by a competent person. Therefore, if CORGI is not a measure of competence, then how does one go about finding someone competent?
Apologies if this gets a few backs up, but as you can imagine I'm not impressed. I'm also relucant to start hassling him to sort it all out, as I'm not sure I want an unwilling tradesman in the house at all.
Incidentally, my friend also pointed out that Ravenheat might not honour any warranty claims if they see how its been installed.
Looking forward to hearing your comments!!
[/i]
I recently had a new boiler fitted, to comply with the law I got a CORGI reg'd chap who specialised in heating.
The boiler he put in was a Ravenheat condensing combi, CSI85 I think the model is, coupled to the existing 10mm microbore system with 9 radiators.
My comments really relate to the installation
1) He's side flued the boiler, but instead of angling the flue up and away from the boiler (as specified in the installation manual), it is, if anything, pointing down a tad. Condensate drips from the flue terminal, when I quizzed him on this he said the slope is provided by the inner flue pipe, which is central on boiler exit and offset to the top at the terminal. He claimed the condensate was appearing because the flue is short hence the fan blows it up there. He also said the fan was fixed speed - (the installation manual states it is modulated speed)
2) He's taken the hot water outlet via 10mm plastic pipe, coupling it up to the existing 15mm hot water pipework under the kitchen sink. When I quizzed him about the flow he said it would not affect it.
3) The cold water supply he's taken a really tortuous route, using a redundant 15mm pipe to pick up from the cold water shower feed in the loft - rather than pick up from under the kitchen sink (the boilers located under the stairs, in the hallway.
4) Ironically, despite the existing rads and pipework being almost 20 years old, the only leaks were on two of the compression joints at the boiler connections - done by this chap!
In all fairness, it does heat the house very nicely. Hot water flow is a bit slow upstairs.
I have a friend who does sales and training for Baxi Potterton, he's come up the "hard way" having been a gas fitter for them originally. When he saw the flue, he comfirmed it should definitely be pointing up and away from the boiler. He also said the 10mm pipe in the hot water was B&%Dcks also.
The CORGI thing doesn't guarantee quality of work, however the boiler manual states it should be installed by a competent person. Therefore, if CORGI is not a measure of competence, then how does one go about finding someone competent?
Apologies if this gets a few backs up, but as you can imagine I'm not impressed. I'm also relucant to start hassling him to sort it all out, as I'm not sure I want an unwilling tradesman in the house at all.
Incidentally, my friend also pointed out that Ravenheat might not honour any warranty claims if they see how its been installed.
Looking forward to hearing your comments!!
[/i]