Cutting power to a central heating boiler (Ed.)

[JFD7000]

Hi,

We have an Ideal Esprit 2 30kw combie boiler connected to a fused spur.

I want to replace the fused spur with a WiFi controlled fused spur so I can turn it off at night and then back on in the morning via an app on my phone. The boiler is in a cupboard in a kids room and has an eco mode that can’t be turned off so comes alive at night. I am currently turning it off from the breaker down stairs so want something I can do from my phone.

I have seen the below but I am not sure if it is suitable?

Timeguard Internal Wifi Controlled Fused Spur Tuya App - FSTWIFITU

Timeguard Internal Wifi Controlled Fused Spur Tuya App - FSTWIFITU Experience Wi-Fi-enabled control for a wide range of electrical applications, now enhanced with support for Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Easily manage your program settings through your mobile device or tablet, allowing you to...

www.ledbulbs.co.uk

 

[RandomGrinch]

It's not ideal for boilers to be turned off from the FCU; pump overuns wouldn't operate etc. and the boiler wouldn't shut down in a clean fashion, if it were firing at the time - potentially causing damage to the boiler.

and has an eco mode that can’t be turned off so comes alive at night.

My understanding was that the eco mode (pre-heat) function could always be turned off?

 

[JFD7000]

No not on this boiler.

 

[JFD7000]

It's not ideal for boilers to be turned off from the FCU; pump overuns wouldn't operate etc. and the boiler wouldn't shut down in a clean fashion, if it were firing at the time - potentially causing damage to the boiler.


My understanding was that the eco mode (pre-heat) function could always be turned off?

View attachment 370006

It's not ideal for boilers to be turned off from the FCU; pump overuns wouldn't operate etc. and the boiler wouldn't shut down in a clean fashion, if it were firing at the time - potentially causing damage to the boiler.


My understanding was that the eco mode (pre-heat) function could always be turned off?

View attachment 370006

We have been turning it off for a year fine but my question is about the spur and if it is possible to use that.

 

[CountryFan]

No not on this boiler.

Maybe it's not being done correctly?

We have been turning it off for a year fine but my question is about the spur and if it is possible to use that.

I don't see why not if it's what you really want, advise has been given for against doing it to prevent damage, but it's your choice. Just remember to change the fuse rating to a 3Amp.

 

[JFD7000]

Maybe it's not being done correctly?

I don't see why not if it's what you really want, advise has been given for against doing it to prevent damage, but it's your choice. Just remember to change the fuse rating to a 3Amp.

Thank you it’s an ideal esprit 2 30kw boiler from 2012 and doesn’t have this function unfortunately. We rented a property a few years ago and it had a valiant boiler and you could turn eco mode off to stop it firing all night.

 

[RandomGrinch]

It seems as if the pre-heat is enabled during the programmed hours of HW demand...

As you are turning the boiler off overnight anyway, could you attempt to program the DHW to be off instead?

Manual attached...

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thank you it’s an ideal esprit 2 30kw boiler from 2012 and doesn’t have this function unfortunately. We rented a property a few years ago and it had a valiant boiler and you could turn eco mode off to stop it firing all night.

Leaving aside the reasons not to do it, you could change the spur, for a single 13amp socket, plug a smart plug into it, and fit a 13amp plug to the boiler. Then you have wifi control of the boiler.

 

[gas112]

Leaving aside the reasons not to do it, you could change the spur, for a single 13amp socket, plug a smart plug into it, and fit a 13amp plug to the boiler. Then you have wifi control of the boiler.

do not use 13amp fuse it needs to be 3amp.
But on these boilers if you turn power off before the pump over run demand has finished then it could cause damage

 

[JFD7000]

Leaving aside the reasons not to do it, you could change the spur, for a single 13amp socket, plug a smart plug into it, and fit a 13amp plug to the boiler. Then you have wifi control of the boiler.

Yes I did consider this as I do have a spare smart plug that has worked great for other things in the past. Does this go against regulations? The spur does connect directly to its own breaker so it is isolated. Thanks

 

[JFD7000]

do not use 13amp fuse it needs to be 3amp.
But on these boilers if you turn power off before the pump over run demand has finished then it could cause damage

I did tell the other half that it could affect the boiler but we have been doing this for a year without any issue. I have noticed our bill has also reduced since doing this.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I did tell the other half that it could affect the boiler but we have been doing this for a year without any issue. I have noticed our bill has also reduced since doing this.

Is it the frost protection, being activated? Perhaps the protection temperature is set to high?

 

[MNW67]

It seems as if the pre-heat is enabled during the programmed hours of HW demand...

That sounds like the answer!

I hadn't actually realised on a combi that you could program hot water times. I had assumed hot water was always available on demand.

 

[JFD7000]

Is it the frost protection, being activated? Perhaps the protection temperature is set to high?

I think it’s just a pre-heat feature.