Twin coil cylinder replaced with single coil cylinder

[twincoil]

Hi

I would be really grateful if anyone has any advice on this situation.

Due to overflow, I recently had a new hot water cylinder. The plumber was unable to initially work out if the Aga/boiler or both were heating the hot water. Once he dismantled the existing cylinder turned out it was a twin coil cylinder as opposed to the single coil cylinder he had with him. Old cylinder was very very very furred up and plumber advised that it probably wasn't functioning at all well and Aga would have been unable to heat the water. Rather than get a replacement twin coil cylinder he said he could cap off pipes and use single coil cylinder he had with him and status quo situation restored. Problem arose as soon as he left as the heating came on when the hot water was on. Turned out that the three way valve had gone on the boiler and that this needed to be replaced too at a cost of £500 - system needs draining down - large house. Prior to this never had a problem with independent hot water and heating. Does this sound right, sorry I am clueless. Thanks.

 

[bellairaphon]

You paid £500 for a 3 port valve? And as for the cylinder why didn't he know it was a twin coil. I'd be getting on the phone to him!

Nath

 

[Aquaheat]

exactly my first thoughts! £500 for a 3 port to be fitted!!??

Could OP please elaborate a little?

 

[ALEC1]

If he has capped off the Aga feeds to the lower coil, that is downright dangerous, and it should be turned off immediately...

 

[twincoil]

Thank you all for response. Old house and many of the pipes boxed in and unable to trace. Difficult access to cylinder - in airing cupboard. Apparently very old oil fired boiler and specialist part -cost £200, £300 labour as whole system has to be drained down and large house, two man job. From what I can gather (which isn't much ) that having a twin coil cylinder voided the need for a working three way valve and could have masked faulty valve for some years or could just be a coincidence that it broke at same time - boiler and cylinder entirely different locations. I have Aga service company checking out work - they are mystified why a two coil cylinder would be replaced with one coil cylinder. Until any of this started I had absolutely no idea how water was heated I will speak to plumber again tomorrow and see what he says. Thanks again

 

[Madrab]

Wow...£500 to replace the valve..
And as your AGA chaps mentioned, it should have been a straight like for like replacement, not just 'what he had on the van'. You correctly trusted this 'professional' to properly advise you as to what your system was and what it required and he has failed to do that IMO.
Out of interest, are you able to give more information on make/model of boiler. Do you also know where (in the airing cupboard near the cylinder poss?) and if you know what this valve looks like can you supply any information on it - name/part number, should be written on the top of it. Also what type of Aga do you have?

 

[twincoil]

Boiler is a Worcester Borsch Danesmoor PJ35-50 oilfired m(1995) - located in the cellar, Aga oil fired four door - ground floor, hot water cylinder - first floor, and water tank in attic space -second. Not sure what a valve looks like - sorry. I'm waiting on the Aga man to see what he thinks should be done next - he had to go away and think about it! Haven't had the valve replaced yet as am using electric switch on hot water cylinder - no central thermostat to control temperature of heating, the £500 was a verbal quote. Thanks for your input.

 

[dcawkwell]

Should have replaced like for like twin coil with twin coil.
Personally I would chuck the aga out and get a modern lpg range cooker. Then have an oil boiler for doing the central heating and hot water.
Much simpler and a better result.
Aga cookers should be left in the past where they belong.

 

[Madrab]

Ah I see, so you haven't actually had the 3 port valve replaced yet? I'd get more quotes if the valve is knackered and they want £200 for a new one. BTW it'll look something like this - http://www.screwfix.com/p/danfoss-hs3-3-port-motorised-valve/30424
Obviously your setup was designed to take advantage of the AGA when it's in use for hot water and the central heating via your oil fired boiler and supplementing the hot water if needed, if he had replaced the cylinder like for like then you wouldn't have had an issue as the AGA would have continued to supply hot water. Even if he had connected the AGA and disconnected the boiler from the hot water cylinder and bypassed the valve would have been a better way to go, even if not really recommended.

 

[twincoil]

Aga man is going to come in and fit a new valve and isolate necessary pipework and do annual boiler service for £250 so much better than the original plumber's quote of £500 to remedy. Thanks for the help, should have directed the plumber here - he might have worked out what to have done in the first instance.