Why is the heating not working?

Cheetah Designs · 15 Oct 2010 at 17:57

I moved into a new house (shared) and have never had the need for heating until now.

I have switched the heating on (manual on so it isn't on timer before you ask) and turned up the thermostat.

I've checked the radiator is on too....

.....what could be the issue?....The hot water works fine and you can hear the boiler kicking into action when I switch on the hot tap (and the water is hot) but isn't doing anything for the heating.

Captain_Slick · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:02

Read the manual/diagram explaining the controls?

Our boiler has separate switches for hot water and central heating, as well as a myriad of green, red and orange lights.

twist3d0n3 · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:02

maybe the pump is knackered

InvaderGIR · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:04

Captain_Slick said:
Read the manual/diagram explaining the controls?

Our boiler has separate switches for hot water and central heating, as well as a myriad of green, red and orange lights.

This to be honest.

Previous house you had to set the heating up to 'auto' but not 'auto timer' and then the thermostat would work. Was quite confusing as if you wanted the timer to run...the thermostat wouldn't and the heating would be lukewarm.

Read the manual (if you have one) or play with the settings.

me227 · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:04

Check the make of the boiler and look for a manual online. Are any radiators heating up?

Cheetah Designs · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:06

Radiators aren't heating up.

There is a sticker with the instructions on it and I have followed them fine, its very simple and self explanatory to switch it on.

Beerbaron · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:06

the radiators may need bleeding if there is air in the system

InvaderGIR · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:07

Obviously not.

Cheetah Designs · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:07

Beerbaron said:
the radiators may need bleeding if there is air in the system

Excuse me?....I haven't a clue what this means, I guess it's something the landlord would sort out if I asked them?

shine · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:09

Cheetah Designs said:
Excuse me?....I haven't a clue what this means, I guess it's something the landlord would sort out if I asked them?

Have a look here:

http://diydata.com/problem/central_heating/bleed.php

Captain_Slick · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:09

Cheetah Designs said:
Excuse me?....I haven't a clue what this means, I guess it's something the landlord would sort out if I asked them?

Seriously?

InvaderGIR · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:10

Captain_Slick said:
Seriously?

I'm guessing this person is new to life away from parents that do everything.

Captain_Slick · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:11

InvaderGIR said:
I'm guessing this person is new to life away from parents that do everything.

I'm 19 and living at home yet I'm the only one in the house who knows how and why you bleed radiators. Pfft. Kids today.

Cheetah Designs · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:12

I know what it is but I have never done it before.....and since I paid a security deposit that I would like to get back at the end of my tenancy I don't want to play around and cause a load of water damage....what is wrong with that?

SiriusB · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:16

Unless you remove the grub screw entirely, it is unlikely you will cause any water damage!

Would air in the system stop ALL the radiators from even slightly warming up?

I_M_Weasel · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:19

Slowly open the bleed valve's at the top of the radiator, air will hiss out, once the air as gone the water will come out so as soon as a bit of water starts to come out tighten the valve back up, even if your slow you'll probably only spill half a pint of water.

me227 · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:21

Check the pipe just before the valve for the radiator and see if that is heating up. If the radiators need bleed you'll find sections of radiators usually heating up. Usually the bottom bits. But if you say the boiler isn't making any noise then that problem isn't it.

Also you'd have to do a really bad job at bleeding the radiator if you were to cause damage to the property.

What's the make of the boiler? If you haven't turned the heating on in ages then that can cause some problems for the boiler to get started up again.

EDIT: Make sure all the radiators in the house are turned on full as well.

Maccy · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:27

I had to bleed our radiators recently in order to get the radiators working. It's very simple, but make sure you have a big enough jug/bowl to catch all of the water!

Thebug · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:29

Prob needs the pressure topping up - whats the pressure on?

ShaolinDreams · 15 Oct 2010 at 18:30

Just had a new boiler put in. What amazed me was the crap they came out the radiators when the engineer flushed the system. Nasty muddy water, 25 years worth of build up