Heating upstairs but not down stairs - Pump?

[micky007]

Hi,

I've rented my new build property out I purchased Jan 2016. Im told today by the estate agents that the tenants have reported no heating down stairs but just up stairs, they've contacted a gas engineer and he said it sounds like the pump has gone that provides heating to downstairs.

I have a few questions if you don't mind answering.

1) Pump as in within the boiler or is he talking about another kind of pump inside the property?

2) How often does this normally happen? I thought with everything being brand new I'd at least get 6yrs out of it before anything broke.

3) what's the average cost of a new pump?

4) what is this 'pump called so i can take a look myself as places like screwfix etc...

Thanks,
Mike

 

[muggles]

Hi,

I've rented my new build property out I purchased Jan 2016. Im told today by the estate agents that the tenants have reported no heating down stairs but just up stairs, they've contacted a gas engineer and he said it sounds like the pump has gone that provides heating to downstairs.

I think it's more likely to be a zone valve problem

I have a few questions if you don't mind answering.

1) Pump as in within the boiler or is he talking about another kind of pump inside the property?

Impossible to say, as you've not told us what boiler you have. It might be in the boiler, or it might be elsewhere

2) How often does this normally happen? I thought with everything being brand new I'd at least get 6yrs out of it before anything broke.

It depends on the quality of the components used, and the cleanliness of the system water. I wouldn't expect a bargain-basement pump to last as long as a decent brand one. Grundfos ones come with a 5 year warranty, for example, but cheaper ones only have a 1 year warranty.

3) what's the average cost of a new pump?

Average would be about £80. A Grundfos will be about £120

4) what is this 'pump called so i can take a look myself as places like screwfix etc...

A central heating circulator, although they're commonly known as pumps rather than circulators

 

[Deleted member 267285]

Hi Mike,

Is it not controlled by x2 zone valves, therefore needing the room thermostat on downstairs? Has the gas engineer been out to the property? What system do you have in place?

 

[micky007]

Hi,

The engineer hasn't been to the property no, the boiler is an Ideal Logic Heat 18. There's 2 thermostats, one for upstairs and another for downstairs.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Deleted member 267285]

There's 2 thermostats, one for upstairs and another for downstairs.

So have they tried the downstairs one? Does it need battery replacement? It could be the zone valve that has failed.

 

[ianmcd]

Would be very surprised if it was the pump, as already advised most likely a zone valve or thermostat fault

 

[dal5band]

If the upstairs is fully working, then the pump is probably ok - convection would not fully heat the upstairs.
The likely fault is either the downstairs thermostat or the valve it opens. Or in fact the signal between the two. You can check by going to the valve ( if it is accessable !) and opening it manually. There is usually a lever on the side of the valve for manual overide. Turn up the upstairs thermostat to start the boiler for this test.

 

[micky007]

Thanks for the responses. Where abouts would the manual override valve be?

 

[ianmcd]

Thanks for the responses. Where abouts would the manual override valve be?

it is not a manual override valve, you will have a motorised valve for upstairs and one for downstairs, each valve has a manual lever that is located on the end of the valve, you simply slide the lever across and latch it open, this is just a temp repair it still needs sorting properly