CENTRAL HEATING DIAGNOSTICS

There are a few very common Central Heating Faults that we see at Ry on a daily basis. Here are some tips on the most likely causes..

1. My heating only comes on when my hot water is on or vice versa? 

Combination system: Most likely to be the diverter valve, split heat exchanger or controls fault. Take down notes of when and how often it occurs to solve your problem more efficiently with your engineer.

Conventional/System: Most likely to be a faulty zone valve or wiring/controls fault. Certain engineers will specialise in Central Heating Wiring and so the more information you can provide the quick you will reach you solution.

2. My radiators are only getting hot in parts of the house? 

Combination system: Most likely causes are your radiators need balancing, the boiler pump is weak and may need replacing, sludge in the system causing inefficient heating. Often inefficient pumps and sludge can be linked, and you may need a Powerflush. You may also experience intermittent hot water with sludge in the system. On rare occasions you may have a blockage in one of your heating pipes in a very specific location, from debris.

Conventional/System: Most likely to be similar to Combination systems above however your pump will not be in your boiler it will be independent on the system. As above this can be linked to blockages and sludge and you may need a Powerflush. You may also experience faulty zone valves on a Conventional/System system that cause issues with the flow of your central heating. If you're system is also not sealed, you are more prone to airlocks, so if you have recently had any work done this can be the cause to.

3. My heating comes on at funny times? 

Combination System: Most common causes is understanding your central heating controls and how they work. A good tip before calling Ry is to google your controls make on google and check it is set correctly. You should also change your batteries if it is a wireless control. You may also have a boiler fault that is causing your boiler to short cycle this can be down to a few different components/reasons.

Conventional/System: The most common causes are as above in combination systems,  your controls. However it can also be faulty wiring on Conventional/System systems as the wiring is much more complex. It could also be a zone valve that is not closing off properly.  Your pump can be getting a demand to fire up by your boiler, which can be due to a few reasons. However this is a much rarer occurrence.

Before booking with Ry, our office care team will advise you on how any charges work in detail so there are no surprises. Below we have provided some further information on the difference between Free Estimates and Chargeable visits, and when you will need either or. You can also find more information on our prices page.

1. You don't know the cause of your problem. 

If you do not know what is causing the problem you are experiencing, we will need to carry out a diagnostic visit. This involves a skilled engineer spending time, and carrying out testing and a process of elimination to try to establish what the problem is. For this we do have to charge for our time. A bit like if you go to the dentist with a tooth ache but don't know the cause, they will spend some time looking for the cause but may have to recommend a return visit for a solution. Within this visit we may find the issue and be able to fix it there and then, quickly with the time and cost already advised or by asking for your authorisation to fix parts and stay longer. However sometimes the  solution will require ordered in parts and a longer amount of time for the engineer, that is not possible on the day. Sometimes separating the visits can be more cost effective anyway, as travelling to collect parts if they don't have them on them van can take time. Where as if we return prepared, there is not time or cost associated with us collecting the part.

2. You know whats causing the issue. 

If you rang up the Ry team and advised you need a new thermostat because your heating is not working. Then we would not need to attend for a diagnostic visit, baring in mind you are happy thats the problem. We will then ask to get a photo - or in some cases visit for a free estimate. We can then provide a cost before attending to carry out your required works.

If an engineer is not working on the boiler or Gas the answer is no. For example if you were changing a radiator or the controls to a boiler you do not need to be Gas Safe Registered. However, when you are unsure of the issue on your Central Heating System and require diagnostics. It's always good to have a Gas Safe Engineer who is also able to look at the boiler if required. As some faults could be either the boiler or on separate components. The Ry office care team are trained in understanding which engineers to send, this ensures we solve your problem efficiently and safely. We also have a software system that advises on the engineer to send....cool!

Our office hours are 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, should you call within these hours one of our office team can book you in depending on your preference and our availability. Ry Group are used to working very reactively and keep emergency slots open daily depending on time contacted.

On average with emergencies we aim to be with you within 4 hours if booked that day and we can accommodate it.

On average a call to place a booking is less than 5 minutes, or less than 2 should you be an existing customer.

Outside of these times we have a 24 hour emergency line that can be accessed via our same number of 0208 640 7907 pressing the option to go through to our on call operator. They will be able to book you in for same day assistance that night only.