Heating.

Out here on the chilly East Coast, the North winds mean that our heating has been off and on over the last few days. SWMBO believes that turning down the thermostat saves money: all that does is supply insufficient heat whilst still using energy. She also turns down valves on radiators. Why cannot women understand logic?

Ours is OK but I realised the insurance cover had run out two years ago. We had a controller and a radiator pump out of the old one as well as annual services. The boiler is now 17 years old but it’s a dead simple one, still just taken out a policy with SSE.

Ideally, systems should be balanced, whether using the so called thermostatic valves  or not. Those with active room stats that can open or close, preferably restricting flow rather than totally closing it off can be discounted from this as they have their own rules for system design and configuration. The flow balancing can, perhaps should also be achieved via the tool operated valve at the other end of the radiator.

I once knew someone who balanced the system in a power station in Malaysia. He considered that was the pinnacle of his heating, ventilation and air-conditioning carer wish list and never wanted the achievement masked by a subsequent defeat somewhere else. So he declined all knowledge of the process when he worked elsewhere. I suspect he felt users should only be admitted to his balanced spaces after the removal of their ability to meddle with the controls. Dummy controls are a useful accessory. If a room is too hot or too cold a setting somewhere has been messed up, or the user(s) are wrongly dressed. Health issues can greatly change the heat dynamics of people and as for rooms, using doors and knowing the effects of the heat contributed by people, – it can be surprisingly generous amounts, are both important.

If a system has been in use for several years, the effects of sludge build up along with air and airlocks can really mess up the running of the system.

Today we have had temp’s of 13°C (morning) to 22°C now. (I kid you not: it is a gorgeous day.) Came back from shopping, having ensured heating was off, to find it on, but set to 17°C. Apparently switched on by darling wife, set to 17° “So it doesn’t get too hot: well it’s a nice day, isn’t it?” Our huge lounge window is almost due South-facing and I leave all doors open when it’s like that. Heats the whole bungalow, excepting the kitchen at the rear, which is always cold. Between front and rear of the bungalow, there is a temp difference often of 8 to 10°C. The rear garden gets sun from sunrise to about 11am, then that’s it, it goes cold. I can defreeze stuff by placing it on the settee top in front of the window.

Bungalow was boiling when we returned. Women and logical explanations, no comprehension.??

You’ll always get a know-it-all who’ll blame anyone to justify whatever he does to solve the problem. It’s a classic power play – if that’s his bag. Put the customer down and then you’re in charge.

Check the cost of the pcb independently, he could be setting you up for a big bill.:(

Good luck.

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