No offense, but I find that an innocent reply. I originally posted this on "Trade Talk" but got moved and lost a reply from TonyW2. Just to set the picture, I am an ex engineer in electronic control systems mainly in the electrical industry and power stations. I help anyone though asks, but don't tout and don't normally bother with forums. I have seen quite a few central heating systems and have to say that their complexity, quality and inbuilt obsolescence does not encourage me to want a modern one. The boiler I have is over 30 years old, has a permanent pilot light (supposedly costly), and costs me next to nothing to keep going. In the summer when its only heating the hot water (it's cheaper than the immersion heater) and with gas cooking as well, my gas bill is well under £100 a quarter. To me I would never make up the difference in cost of a replacement if it is only going to last 10-15years, after which it has had (say) several new fans, replacement control boards, rusted though baffle plates, etc, etc, all with associated callout and fitting costs. The industry in this and other fields is one big gravy train. In the specific case of c/h boilers it is very much in the interests of those involved to push replacements as in;
1. They are cheaper to run. Labour man - Prescot has a lot to answer for there.
2. They are more efficient and more environmentally friendly. Labour man - Prescot has even more to answer for there. He effectively forced the latest compulsory ridiculous version on everyone.
2. Cannot get the parts. The valve I want is readily available.
4. Save you money. How does a £1000-2000 bill, plus the ongoing breakdown and/or contract costs save anything like the outlay?
I am sure I could add to that list, but my main point is that if everyone can be pushed into "the modern domain" then Corgi engineers and anyone else involved have it made. I recon that if they got their way the whole country would have full central heating system replacements every 12 years on average. Bit like Estate Agents churning houses.
In many cases where the gas piping is involved I have advised people to call in a Corgi engineer and in virtually every case they have been talked into a new boiler or other bits they absolutely did not need.
Take the case of thermostatic valves on radiators, just as a related aside. These stick shut if you don't open them fully (to high heat setting) when you turn the heating off in the spring. The summer temperatures drive them hard closed if left set low. It is too much temptation to many engineers to say new valves are required, and such valves may well get "recycled" to the next such customer.
Please don't come back at me for ignoring the environment and the planet, etc. The loss of entropy (google or dictionary that if lost) to the planet in having to manufacture all the required additional/extra items (even the replacement light fittings because we can't get the bulbs any more) far outweigh any energy savings in terms of what is left of our resources.
To come back to my original post. Yes, "I said to people I want a valve" and I told them exactly what is wrong with it internally, and if all you are doing is coming intent on selling me a new boiler, then don't bother. Two said they would get back to me, the rest said they needed to come and see it first, which in the one sense is a fair comment.
the problem was that the boiler was working fine until a low gas pressure situation put the whole local area down. A man turned up the next day to purge local lines and I left him by the gas meter telling him where the boiler was. He was in my house for an indeterminate time before I realised and he said the thermocouple was faulty. I had tested that before I realised that the gas was off, and told him so. At that point he did seem to leave rather quickly! The fault is that the thermocouple connection has been overtightened (either by him or me to be fair but.......) and damaged the solenoid coil inside the valve.
So I am not amused.
, I've come across many without it , also if your not impressed with modern boilers ..... have you thought about getting a parkray fitted ?
