Boiler Installation

Ascott PH Services Ltd, Trader Review. - 21-Mar-2012. Report By Peter Craven, 01438 813130 - peter@art-studio.demon.co.uk This report describes the installation of a gas fired boiler by Lee Heaps of Ascott PH Services Ltd at domestic property 1A, Deards Wood, Knebworth, Hertfordshire. SG3 6PG. Installation work took place over a two day period, 6th and 7th April 2010. SUMMARY. - The installation work was carried out in a genarally expeditious manner and completed within the 2 day period scheduled. Following system installation and departure of Ascott Services the system was functional but two issues were observed. (1). Loft header tank gots warm due to vent pipe overflow. (2). Programmer control unit installed in a stupid position so it could only be viewed and programmed by the user stooping to see it underneath the boiler. Lee Heaps failed to honor the 1 Year Ascott Services parts and labour guarantee when the system failed. He acted unprofessionally by bringing the wrong model of boiler for installation, disgarded numerous cigarette butt ends on my driveway. and did not replace loft pipe work insulation removed during the installation process. Lee Heaps and Ascott PH Services cannot be trusted to do what they say. This company should not be used to carry out boiler installation and/or plumbing work. Detailed work schedule and issues as set out below. WORK SCHEDULE SUMMARY: 1. - Drain down central heating system, disconnect and remove existing 'G' energy rated installed Glow Worm floor standing boiler. 2. - Install Vaillant ecoTEC plus 438 condensing boiler, pump, control valves, thermostat, programmer unit and new hot water cylinder. The installation is a conventional system with seperate header tank and hot water cylinder. 3. - Brick up existing flue hole and make good. 4. - Power flush complete system to comply with manufacturers' instructions. SUPPLY AND INSTALL: Qty 1, Vaillant EcoTEC plus 438 condensing boiler. Qty 1, Vaillant EcoTEC plus 438 flue. Qty 1, Grundfos UPS 15-50 Selectric central heating pump complete with valves. Qty 2, F222m Hortstmann 22mm, 2 port motorised zone valve. Qty 1, Horstmann, CentaurPlus C27, 7 day wall programmer control unit. Qty 1, Honeywell HCW80 Wireless room thermostat. Qty 1, Condension pump under boiler and run outlet under shower tray and connect to basin waste. Qty 1, MagnaClean Professional 28mm heating filter. Qty 1, Hot water cylinder, 36" x 18" indirect. Qty 1, Hot water indirect cylinder thermostat and 4 core cable from new programmer to cylinder. Qty 1, Immersion heater, 3KW, with thermostat for indirect hot water cylinder. Qty 1, Remove existing thermostatic radiator valve in hallway and install new lock shield valve. GUARANTEE. PARTS, LABOUR, TERMS & CONDITIONS. 2 Years Vaillant. 1 year Ascott, PH Services Ltd. MISTAKES AND ISSUES. WRONG BOILER. - A Vaillant ecoTEC plus 438 boiler (38kW) was scheduled for installation. The wrong model of Vaillant boiler (ecoTEC plus 428, 28kW) was initially brought to site and replacement boiler had to be rapidly obtained prior to commencement of the installation. LOFT HEADER TANK GETS WARM, VENT PIPE OVERFLOW. - Following installation the loft header tank became warm when the system was switched on due to a small flow of warm water coming from the vent pipe which drains into the header tank. Investigation identified that the fault was present with the Grundfos Pump (UPS 15-50 Selectric) flow rate set to 2 or 3 (Post Installation Setting). The fault was not present with the minimum flow rate set to 1. The head of water raised with the pump on flow rate 3 was assessed by attaching a clear plastic tube to the open vent pipe and found to be about 500mm above the height of the vent pipe. A permanent solution was rendered by the householder raising the loop height of the vent pipe by about 1 Meter to eliminate the fault on all pump flow rate settings. Ascott PH Services suggested the permanent fix was to only use the pump on setting 1. PROGRAMMER CONTROL UNIT INSTALLATION POSITION. - Installation of the Horstmann, 7 Day Programmer Control Unit was sub contracted out to an electrician by Ascott Services. The control unit was installed in a stupidly low position and at a height of 1.030M UNDERNEATH the wall mounted boiler. The unit could only be viewed and programmed by the user stooping to see it UNDERNEATH the boiler. THE CONTROL UNIT WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR EASE OF USER ACCESS BUT ONLY WITH A VIEW ELIMINATE NEED TO INSTALL TRUNKING AND MINIMISING INSTALLATION TIME. Programmer unit failed in the days following installation and was replaced with a new unit. Electrician was requested to move the unit to a suitable. THE REQUEST WAS REFUSED ON LYING GROUNDS THAT "THE CORRECT WIRE FOR DOING THE JOB IS NOT ON THE VAN". Problem resolved by householder installing trunking and repositioning unit at a height of 1.320M where it could be readily accessed. 1 YEAR ASCOTT SERVICES PARTS AND LABOUR GUARANTEE NOT HONORED. - Horstmann, F222, 22mm Motorised 2 Port Spring Return Valve failed in November 2010. Fault reported to Ascott Services but the fault fix appointment was not honored. Numerous phone calls, e-mail and letter not answered. IT WAS CLEAR LEE HEAPS USED THE CALLER DISPLAY SERVICE ON HIS MOBILE PHONE TO AVOID ANSWERING THE CALLS MADE BY ME TO HIS MOBILE. Solution rendered by housholder installing new valve motor. INSULATION OF PIPE WORK IN LOFT. - The pipe work insulation removed during the installation process not replaced. CIGARETTE BUT ENDS THROWN ON DRIVEWAY. - The installers left numerous cigarette but ends driveway. PROGRAMMER CONTROL UNIT FAILURE. - The Horstmann, CentaurPlus C27, 7 Day Programmer Control Unit Programmer unit failed in the days following installation and was replaced with a new unit.. HEADER TANK COVER NOT REPLACED. - Header tank in loft left open, cover not replaced.

Peter Craven - 21/03/2012 | report this review