SWMBO complains boiler is not working .... are we surprised?

[RigidRaider]

She never stops complaining that she's cold. The night time temp has been down to around minus 2 for 2-3 weeks now with little improvement during the day. You can tell 'cos the snow ain't melted around here. The poor 21 y.o. boiler struggles to get the house up to temp twice a day then we switch it off. How much extra work is a boiler having to do when the temp is averaging 0 degrees as opposed to averaging 6 degrees?

Maybe it's something to do with the fact that like most women, she's on a permanent diet so considers 1 slice of cheese on toast an adequate evening meal; she must be in permanent calorie deficit. I on the other hand eat well then exercise to ensure I don't get fat - and I seldom feel the cold.

Somebody give me some ammunition as I'm losing this battle. She wants to buy a new boiler, FFS! This morning's parting shot was "DO SOMETHING!"

 

[gavinda]

dude its simple. obey

 

[namsag]

Don`t give in once they start there is no stopping them get her a heavy jumper.
I stupidly agreed to a new designer fire around may time, well we are only on our 7th in 20 odd years
Well it somehow ended up as consevatory as well which was opened up into the lounge so that had to be decorated then she had to have new oak floor throughout .
Thought that was her finished but no the existing furniture didn`t suit the new colours and flooring so along comes the new dining table chairs /sideboard/ other little tables etc etc.
Ah thank fek thats over with NOPE 2 new sofas req as well the others are gettin on now (7 year old) and it would be a shame to spoil it because of a few grand .
So my 800 quid fire and moment of weekness has cost me a stupid amount over 5 figures and thats with using mates in the trade.

Oh and only 2 days ago she says can you get the kitchen brightened up before xmas . Dont think she will appreciate the ARC light out of the van

So best bet is a new big woolie cardi for her

Oh and then they moan they never see you . Eh thats cause im at feking work earning to pay for it . We can never win

Rant over

 

[JohnD]

She never stops complaining

Typical

she's cold.

Gedt her a vest and a thermometer, and suggest she takes up jogging.

It will give her some exercise

get her used to brisk outdoor fresh air

and get her out of the house so she doesn't annoy you so much

BTW good insulation wil probably save you having to buy a bigger boiler.

Have you got insulated cavity walls?

How thick is the loft insulation?

Does she keep the internal doors shut while the heating is on (this is important)

What are the room and radiator sizes, and what temp do the rooms come to?

Do the rads have cold patches, e.g. top, middle or bottom?

I believe you can now order a replacement wife from the Ukraine at modest cost.

 

[D_Hailsham]

She never stops complaining that she's cold. The night time temp has been down to around minus 2 for 2-3 weeks now with little improvement during the day. You can tell 'cos the snow ain't melted around here. The poor 21 y.o. boiler struggles to get the house up to temp twice a day then we switch it off. How much extra work is a boiler having to do when the temp is averaging 0 degrees as opposed to averaging 6 degrees?

Heating a house from 0 to 20 will take about 42% more energy than heating from 6 to 20 i.e. (20-0) ÷ (20-6).

What insulation/draught proofing do you have? If the answer is none, the first thing to do is to install some. You may be able to get a grant for this, even if you are not on benefits. Energy Saving Trust Search for Grants and Offers

You may need a new boiler, but installing insulation will mean you may need a smaller boiler and will continuously reduce your fuel bills.

 

[Agile]

You may be able to get a grant for this, even if you are not on benefits. Energy Saving Trust Search for Grants and Offers

A plumber on benefits ( legally ) ?

 

[Diyisfun]

[Heating a house from 0 to 20 will take about 42% more energy than heating from 6 to 20 i.e. (20-0) ÷ (20-6).
.

But how much was saved when it stayed at zero ?

We have this on here so many times, like shall I keep it hot or heat it twice a day.

Its a balancing act between cost & comfort.

 

[TicklyT]

It doesn't really matter how big the boiler is, or how long it runs for. If the rest of the system is designed for a maximum temperature difference of, say, 25 degrees above the outside temperature, then that's all the system will deliver. So, if the outside temperature is, say, -6, the best you can hope for indoors is 19 degrees.

Adjusting the on/off times, to take into acount the thermal inertia in a house, so the system has a better chance of getting up to temperature may help.

Or you could experiment with running the heating 24/7, but set at a lower temperature during the present 'off' times, so it hasn't got so much catching up to do when you need the heating.

 

[tryitandsee]

She never stops complaining that she's cold.

I know exactly what you mean. My SWMBO is slightly different, she sits in the bath, hot tap running, waits for the water level to reach the over flow and then turns it off with her big toe. Then tells me the hot water has gone cold and the kids wont be able to have a hot bath

No amount of explaining that the hot water cylinder holds the same quantity of water as the 'over full' bath. Get a bigger cylinder then, she suggests, have a smaller amount of water I suggest...........and so it goes on. Life gets more exciting as you get older, so I'm told!

 

[D_Hailsham]

You may be able to get a grant for this, even if you are not on benefits. Energy Saving Trust Search for Grants and Offers

A plumber on benefits ( legally ) ?

Read what I wrote.

 

[namsag]

Tryitandsee.. I have the opposite problem after over 5 years of having a combi the wife still moans ,dont use all that hot water i want a bath later. I have gave up even answering and just nod , its easier

 

[tryitandsee]

I have gave up even answering and just nod , its easier

Nice one. Nodding's good or pretending to be loosing your hearing works for me.