Hi,
I have had British Gas (part of service contract) round to diagnose and fix a problem with our central heating. We have a Potterton Puma (7 years old) with 7 radiators in our ground floor flat. The first radiator (bathroom) is fairly hot, the rest in the house are a mixture of cold of very cool. Within 10 minutes of arriving British Gas declare it's a job for a powerflush (£800). The boiler seems to fire every 60 seconds and stays on for 30 seconds. Hot water is very hot at the nearest tap (5 feet from boiler) and warm/hot at the shower.
I have seen reviews of British Gas and their insistence of Power Flushing which turn out not to be the actual problem in the end. If the power flush does not resolve the issue I was told they would continue to work on the issue until its resolved. And so they should, I pay a maintenance contract of £300 per year for central heating and pipework. My £800 will not be refunded if this does not solve the problem. Separate quotes from other companies have estimated £400 - £450 for the same work. I asked why the higher price, BG say "well unlike them our powerflush is guaranteed for 10 years" - What!!! how can a flush be guaranteed for 10 years?
I called Potterton/Baxi's technical department and they've told me it's either the diverter valve that needs replacing or there is a leak somewhere on the hot water system.
I already cleaned out my CH system and used the Fernox cleanser, drained it (lots of gunk but eventually water ran clear at a reasonable pressure)
I'm stuck and don't know what to do. I don't trust BG at all having such a quick diagnosis of the issue so far?
Thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks
John
I have had British Gas (part of service contract) round to diagnose and fix a problem with our central heating. We have a Potterton Puma (7 years old) with 7 radiators in our ground floor flat. The first radiator (bathroom) is fairly hot, the rest in the house are a mixture of cold of very cool. Within 10 minutes of arriving British Gas declare it's a job for a powerflush (£800). The boiler seems to fire every 60 seconds and stays on for 30 seconds. Hot water is very hot at the nearest tap (5 feet from boiler) and warm/hot at the shower.
I have seen reviews of British Gas and their insistence of Power Flushing which turn out not to be the actual problem in the end. If the power flush does not resolve the issue I was told they would continue to work on the issue until its resolved. And so they should, I pay a maintenance contract of £300 per year for central heating and pipework. My £800 will not be refunded if this does not solve the problem. Separate quotes from other companies have estimated £400 - £450 for the same work. I asked why the higher price, BG say "well unlike them our powerflush is guaranteed for 10 years" - What!!! how can a flush be guaranteed for 10 years?
I called Potterton/Baxi's technical department and they've told me it's either the diverter valve that needs replacing or there is a leak somewhere on the hot water system.
I already cleaned out my CH system and used the Fernox cleanser, drained it (lots of gunk but eventually water ran clear at a reasonable pressure)
I'm stuck and don't know what to do. I don't trust BG at all having such a quick diagnosis of the issue so far?
Thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks
John