Home Heating Assessment

I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c) and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to flush this out.
Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss. The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that they can use to determine problem areas??)
Any advice would be appreciated
Ross

"Ross" wrote in message

I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c) and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to flush this out.
Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss. The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that they can use to determine problem areas??)
Any advice would be appreciated
Ross

Your local HVAC people should be trained in that area.
>

"Ross" wrote in message

I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c) and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to flush this out.
Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss. The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that they can use to determine problem areas??)
Any advice would be appreciated
Ross

Pretty dramatic difference in the temps reported. Who or what was corrected?
When ever a heating or cooling applicance is replaced the manual calculations should be preformed. By the contractor.
Is the new boiler of the same BTU as the old one? Is it extremely cold?
Let the contractor that installed it know that your unhappy and start talking to them.

Simple enough to get heated water to radiators- pump(s), valve(s), water to sufficient altitude, fuel-disposal-unit, thermostats. If unit is properly sized and adjusted, and you're not trying to heat the county- windows open, etc.
You really should focus on cutting losses, IMHO. Leaks are prime villains, and easiest to fix. Weather-stripping, removable caulk, whatever. No house is too old for wall insulation, nowhere; proper vapor-barrier on inside, with higher-permeability covering on the outside. Some are more difficult to retrofit, but the payback period continues to shrink.
J

I have had the original contractor back and he wasn't much help at all. He didn't rework any calculations. Both boilers are 50btu's.

I already have double glazing. That's interesting that you say no house is too old for cavity wall insulation. I suppose I'm really a bit nervous about attracting condensation cos I haven't any at the moment and not keen to start. That is why I want a professional to somehow measure the amount of heat loss that is occurring through the walls before I make that decision.

Ross I would think that if your radiators are receiving water at 80'C and returning water via the other pipe some 11'C cooler they are doing about the best they can do. If your still cold when the heating has been on for a good while (If your letting the fabric of the building go cold then the heating will need to be on much longer before you feel comfortable) then either you don't have enough radiators, the ones you have are too small or you are letting far too much heat escape from your property.
Quick google search came up with a free on line energy savers report on the British Gas web site www.house.co.uk
Hope this helps

"Ross" wrote in message

I already have double glazing. That's interesting that you say no house is too old for cavity wall insulation. I suppose I'm really a bit nervous about attracting condensation cos I haven't any at the moment and not keen to start. That is why I want a professional to somehow measure the amount of heat loss that is occurring through the walls before I make that decision.

You go can to the local library. They might have an HVAC book there that will show you a chart of BTU loss of different materials. I beleive there is even software out there to help with all that.

Thanks - yes I've read the British Gas free on-line energy savers report. I think that just tells you to fit cavity wall and loft insulation, and calculates how much it will save you. If British Gas had a system where their engineer visited and had instruments that detected heat loss sources actually in the house, then I would be very interested. I am also wary that some firms who would rather sell you something than sort your problem out.

Ross I can't see anyone doing that for you
Found you a useful site http://www.skills4business.org.uk/Employers-&-Heating-Installers/29 scroll down to " boiler sizing workchart " to asses your own property........change a few of the values and see what improvements you could make.

Thanks Kev, it looks like you are probably right about not finding anyone to that for me. That looks an interesting link - I'll download, print and read at work tomorrow. Thanks for your trouble - much appreciated.

Some have infrared cameras that can detect leak spots but I am not sure if they only show "relative" quantities or are absolute measurement capable.
"Ross" wrote in message

I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c) and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to flush this out.
Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss. The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that they can use to determine problem areas??)
Any advice would be appreciated
Ross

On of the reasons that finding a company that can do what you want is going to be difficult is because it works out cheaper for all involved for you to just go and insulate the walls & ceiling etc...




Ross a �crit :

I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c) and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to flush this out.
Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss. The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that they can use to determine problem areas??)
Any advice would be appreciated
Ross