Hot water but no heat from radiators

[Miss-read]

I am able to get hot water. But when I turn on controls for heating. Nothing happens. Anyone got any idea what the problem could be? Thanks.

[Postdog]

tried bleeding them?

[Buenchico]

I don't claim to have any great expertise when it comes to central heating but I can only think of two reasons why your water should be not be getting through to the radiators. These are as follows:

1. Air could be blocking the flow of water. As Postdog suggests, this simply means bleeding the radiators. Instructions are here:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/radiatorbleed

2. The pump which circulates water around the system has failed. (Check to ensure that it's not simply switched off somewhere. Then, unfortunately, you'll have to call in a heating engineer).

Chris

[Miss-read]

Thanks postdog and Chris. When I click on the heating button on system you cant hear anything fire up. So I dont think radiators need bleeding. Recently spent �350 on getting boiler sorted but think this has something to do with valves in airing cupboard? Just a guess

[Postdog]

Well it's worth checking the bleeding first seeing as it's so easy. If you get air, then that's you answer. I had this, after suffering with a cold rad for ages (I didn't know then!)

[Miss-read]

Thanks again Postdog. There is no heat from any radiator in the house. Still convinced its something to do with valves in airing cupboard. Looks like I may have to call plummer out! Grrrr

[CSG2306]

Hi,

Have you a room thermostat? Make sure that it is turned up high enough to call for heating.

Ensure pump is working.

There should be an automatic 3 way valve in the system, normally next to your boiler, check that this is working.

Regards

[Miss-read]

Thanks CSG. The pump is working as it serves the hot water too. Thermostat in hall and in airing cupboard are on . Sorry to harp on about airing cupboard. But have noticed where valves may have leaked at some point. As old wet patches there.

[gasman]

At the side of your cylinder is there a 3-port valve ? A silver or grey box with three pipes attatched to it and a wire. This is known as a 'Y Plan' system. The 3-port valve diverts the flow from the hot water to the rads. there should be a small lever on the side of it and you can pull the lever and it should spring back making a whirring noise as it returns. It should do this automatically when it is calling for heat. But if the valve has packed up you can lock the lever into the manual position giving you heating and hot water this is only temp till you get it fixed.

[ianess]

I'm assuming that it's a combi boiler that you have.
Possibly a faulty diverter valve in the boiler....could be expensive.
Another slim possibility is that your direct hot water thermostat is set too high and your boiler temperature never drops to a level low enough to switch over to the heating cycle. Try setting the two boiler thermostats to the same temperature.....that may solve your problem.
Good luck.

[gasman]

ianess i could be wrong but miss-read mentioned an airing cupboard so i wouldnt have thought it was a combi boiler. We need MISS-READ to confirm this.

[Miss-read]

Thanks for your help everyone. I have an immersion heater. My boiler is in the kitchen. Its a Potterton if thats any help.

[gasman]

In that case then i would def have a look at the valve i mentioned earlier then.

[Miss-read]

Thanks again gasman. Will have a look tomorrow.