Hello all
DIY novice here with no knowledge of hot water systems so I would really appreciate any advice you can give on my situation, which is as follows:
1. I like in a block of flats which all have the Gledhill Pulsacoil III system installed. It has worked like clockwork for the 5 years I have lived here (or so I thought). I believe the system is 10 yrs old.
2. I noticed that the water level in the Feed and Expansion tank started dropping below a certain level which resulted in the boiler not heating the water. A residents forum advised that in such circumstances the F&E tank should simply be topped up. When topped up the system seemed to work fine again.
3. In my stupidity, I went along with this for about a year, periodically toping up the F&E tank without having regard to any underlying problems. Eventually I paid Gledhil Response a fixed fee for a call out and guaranteed repair. However, they told me that the cylinder itself was leaking and would need to be replaced.
4. There is evidence of rusting at the bottom of the cylinder and clear evidence of one or both of the immersions leaking. However, I was unsure how Gledhill could be certain that the leak was from the cylinder itself, and not just from the immersions.
5. I got a second opinion and a engineer who has dealt with these systems in my building said it was most likely that the immersions were leaking. He also suggested that it was not uncommon for Gledhill to jump to the "you need a whole new boiler" suggestion.
6. Gledhill advise me that they will change the immersions at my own risk if I want them to. Alternatively, they will replace the whole system with either a Pulsacoil BP or a PulsaCoil A Class ECO appliance. I have been quoted £1,300 (inc vat) for this. Given that the existing Pulsacoil II has been leaking for some time now, the bottom of the cylinder is quite rusted so my preference would be to get a new system fitted for peace of mind. However, I obviously don't want to throw money down the drain unnecessarily.
7. I'm not sure whether the price of £1300 price is good value or not but I'm concerned that Gledhill might increase the cost mid-project on the basis that the replacement of the system may require some joinery work or new piping. I have asked them to confirm whether they think this will be necessary in advance so I have more certainty as to what the final cost will be.
So essentially, my questions are as follows:
1. Does anyone have any experience of the Pulsacoil III system and its reliability. This will help me to decide whether to get a new one or just repair it.
2. Does nayone have any views on the Pulsacoil BP or PulsaCoil A Class ECO appliances and whether £1,300 is a good price to pay for a replacement with either of those two models. Is one much more reliable than the other?
3. I have seen on other posts in this forum some quite strong (negative) opinions against Gledhill which causes me concern. Could anyone shed any light on why this company attracts such critism.
Any help would be very gratefully received.
Thanks
DIY novice here with no knowledge of hot water systems so I would really appreciate any advice you can give on my situation, which is as follows:
1. I like in a block of flats which all have the Gledhill Pulsacoil III system installed. It has worked like clockwork for the 5 years I have lived here (or so I thought). I believe the system is 10 yrs old.
2. I noticed that the water level in the Feed and Expansion tank started dropping below a certain level which resulted in the boiler not heating the water. A residents forum advised that in such circumstances the F&E tank should simply be topped up. When topped up the system seemed to work fine again.
3. In my stupidity, I went along with this for about a year, periodically toping up the F&E tank without having regard to any underlying problems. Eventually I paid Gledhil Response a fixed fee for a call out and guaranteed repair. However, they told me that the cylinder itself was leaking and would need to be replaced.
4. There is evidence of rusting at the bottom of the cylinder and clear evidence of one or both of the immersions leaking. However, I was unsure how Gledhill could be certain that the leak was from the cylinder itself, and not just from the immersions.
5. I got a second opinion and a engineer who has dealt with these systems in my building said it was most likely that the immersions were leaking. He also suggested that it was not uncommon for Gledhill to jump to the "you need a whole new boiler" suggestion.
6. Gledhill advise me that they will change the immersions at my own risk if I want them to. Alternatively, they will replace the whole system with either a Pulsacoil BP or a PulsaCoil A Class ECO appliance. I have been quoted £1,300 (inc vat) for this. Given that the existing Pulsacoil II has been leaking for some time now, the bottom of the cylinder is quite rusted so my preference would be to get a new system fitted for peace of mind. However, I obviously don't want to throw money down the drain unnecessarily.
7. I'm not sure whether the price of £1300 price is good value or not but I'm concerned that Gledhill might increase the cost mid-project on the basis that the replacement of the system may require some joinery work or new piping. I have asked them to confirm whether they think this will be necessary in advance so I have more certainty as to what the final cost will be.
So essentially, my questions are as follows:
1. Does anyone have any experience of the Pulsacoil III system and its reliability. This will help me to decide whether to get a new one or just repair it.
2. Does nayone have any views on the Pulsacoil BP or PulsaCoil A Class ECO appliances and whether £1,300 is a good price to pay for a replacement with either of those two models. Is one much more reliable than the other?
3. I have seen on other posts in this forum some quite strong (negative) opinions against Gledhill which causes me concern. Could anyone shed any light on why this company attracts such critism.
Any help would be very gratefully received.
Thanks
