Boilers + carbon monoxide

[piggie]

In february this year our carbon monoxide alarm sounded and when we checked the vent for the boiler outside we noticed slight a slight blackening of the brickwork. we have not had hot water or heating now for 8 months and desperatley need this sorting. We want to know if this boiler will be salvagable? (althought it is about 15yrs old) or will we need to buy a new system? if we but a new system we think we will have to get a combi boiler, will this be really expensive and which type do we buy? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[secretspirit]

You really have to get a corgi registered engineer to look at it for your own safety. There may be a problem they can fix or it might need a whole new boiler. You don't HAVE to buy combi boilers it's just the type they try to persuade you to buy and they do cut down the gas bills a lot. A new boiler is generally about �800 plus fitting.

[Lindy Loo]

The drawback to a combi boiler is that they are generally alot larger that a standard one, so may not fit the space you have. You must have had a terrible time with no hot water and heating for 8mths. Why have you waited so long to get it fixed? It would have driven me nuts!! As the boiler is 15yrs old it may not be repairable, as the parts are possibly obsolete. I'd agree with secretspirit...get a qualified engineer to have a look first, then decide on the options available. good luck

[piggie]

Re: lindy loo, We have not had the money to get this fixed until now but it's not been too bad. We're a little concerned now that winter is drawing in so thought it best to get something sorted.

[Lindy Loo]

Hi alpjud, sorry, I didn't mean to offend.

[piggie]

hey lindy loo, I didn't take it the wrong way, I was just trying to explain because everyone thinks we are mad not having it fixed yet. Honestly it's not been that bad but I'm fed up of showers and would really like a bath at some point in the very near future! ALPjud

[j2buttonsw]

CO emission is from there not being enough available O2 when the gas was combusted. This could be down to a number of things including a dirty boiler system. Have you had it serviced? This is much cheaper than replacing it. Make sure the service engineer has a gas combustion analyser that will detect CO emission after he has serviced it.

[piggie]

re: j2buttonsw We have lived in the property for 3 years and cannot remember at any point havng someone round to service any of the gas appliances. Would I just have to call a corgi registered tradesman and would this be plumbing or gas or heating? This is my first house and I have no idea who to call and how much servicing should cost. Obviously I don't want to get ripped off.

[j2buttonsw]

To do any work on gas equipment you must be Corgi registered. Any Corgi registered plumber will be able to do it for �50 or so. Make sure they have the gas boiler ticket (they are certified to service gas boilers) and a gas combustion analyser. Be warned: if they find anything dangerous they will have no choice but to cut off your gas supply.

[piggie]

Thanks for that I will call someone today. Just hope they dont have to cust off the gas supply or it's gonna get very cold in here!

[Lindy Loo]

Thanks for your reply to my last post. Good luck piggie, hope all works out ok.