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The Powermax boiler

January 25, 2017News

The Powermax Boiler, the silent killer.

The Power max boiler was sold under several brand names, Baxi, potterton & Range this boiler was fitted to a lot of new build estates during the 1990`s.

The boiler was a new concept that combined a boiler and thermal store to provide both heating and hot water.

The Powermax has built up a reputation for unreliability and is plagued with safety issues that have led to several human fatalities.

The main safety issues that turn these boilers into silent killer are.

  • The gas valve settings on this boiler are known to drift over time. These need checking and recalibrating (if required) on every annual service. If the settings are not correct carbon monoxide can be produced in vast quantities.
  • Flue gas readings and can only be taken from the flue on this boiler where it exits the building. One engineer cannot monitor the flue gas readings outside as well as adjusting the gas valve inside. Due to poor or none existent servicing of these boilers has turned them into carbon monoxide producing death traps.
  • The burner gasket is of a poor design and prone to leakage. A new gasket MUST be fitted every time the burner is removed for servicing according to Potterton-Baxi technical support. These gaskets are hard to source. I suspect few actually get replaced on servicing. Leaking fumes from the burner gasket has apparently led to the deaths of a number of users of Range Powermax boilers.
  • The aluminium twin-tube flue system used on this boiler is very compact and was designed to be installed in ceiling voids, behind walls and in boxings. Instances of the failure of flue joints are not uncommon and often allow flue gases to discharge directly into living spaces. When a flue is concealed within the fabric of the building it is often impossible to inspect the flue or the joints for integrity. Several people are known to have lost their lives due to leaking concealed flues. There is now compulsory Gas Safe procedures for concealed flues due to the dangers they can hide.
  • This boiler produces condensate in the flue, the boiler was never designed to condense and has no means of discharging the condensate produced in the flue. The acidic condensate eats in to the aluminium flue wall. After several years of operation the flue becomes porous and allows flue gases to discharge in to your property.

These boilers can be silent killers, they have killed before and will kill again, for this reason we will not service or repair these boilers. In our opinion these boilers should be replaced at the earliest opportunity before they kill yet another person.

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The Energy Saving Trust Explain How You Can Save Over £340 A Year By Replacing Your Old Boiler.

October 13, 2016Uncategorized

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Boilers account for about 55 per cent of what you spend in a year on energy bills, so an efficient boiler makes a big difference.
Modern boilers are more efficient for several reasons, but their main advantage is that they are all condensing boilers. All well-maintained boilers burn their fuel very efficiently, but they inevitably lose some heat in the hot gases that escape up the flue. A condensing boiler has a larger heat exchanger, so it recovers more heat, sends cooler gases up the flue and is more efficient.
Sometimes the flue gases get so cool that the water vapour in the gas condenses out (hence the name), and even more energy is recovered from the condensing vapour.
What should I consider when replacing my boiler?
If it is time to change your boiler, you need to decide what type of boiler is right for you. Here are some things to consider:
Fuel type
If you have mains gas, a gas boiler is usually the cheapest heating system.
If you don’t have a gas supply to your home, it might be worth looking into getting a gas connection. The company that owns and operates the gas network in your area may be able to help with the cost of getting a new connection, and it may even be fully funded. Contact them for further information.
Boiler type
Most old gas and oil boilers are regular boilers which use a separate hot water cylinder to store hot water, rather than providing it directly from the boiler. When you replace your boiler you can buy a new regular boiler, and keep your hot water cylinder, or buy a combi boiler that doesn’t need a cylinder.
A regular boiler is more efficient than a combi at producing hot water in the first place, but then some heat is lost from the hot water cylinder, so a combi may be more efficient overall.
Your hot water usage
Large families using lots of hot water are likely to be better off with a regular boiler, whereas smaller households using less may be better off with a combi boiler.
Space in your home
Combi boilers don’t need hot water cylinders, and so require less space in your home.
How much could I save each year?
This will depend on how old and inefficient your existing boiler is and the fuel your boiler uses. Below are some examples of potential savings for a home heated by gas central heating.
1. Upgrading an old gas boiler without controls, with a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) could save you:
England, Scotland and Wales
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These are estimated figures based on installing a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) in a gas-heated home from an older boiler without controls. Savings will vary depending on the size and thermal performance of your home.

2. Upgrading an old gas boiler with a programmer and room thermostat, with a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) could save you:
England, Scotland and Wales
Table B

These are estimated figures based on installing a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls (TRVs) in a gas-heated home from an older boiler with a programmer and room thermostat. Savings will vary depending on the size and thermal performance of your home.
The costs for replacing a boiler will vary, but a straightforward gas boiler replacement will typically cost about £2,300 excluding radiators.

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Ideal Boilers Now Offer 10 Year Parts & Labour Warranty on Vogue Boilers

October 13, 2016Uncategorized

The Vogue boiler range comes complete with an outstanding 10 year warranty on parts and labour*.

Showcasing unique boiler innovation, the Vogue utilises modern technology with premium parts and components to bring you the next step in domestic heating intelligence.
The complete design from component specification, manufacture and build through to consumer use is engineered with quality in mind.

All models in the Vogue range deliver premium performance, reliability and value for money.

Ideal Vouge Boiler Details

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01484 940930
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