Heat Exchanger On Gloworm Boiler Does It Need Replacing?
Posted by admin on December 26, 2009 under Heat Transfer | 
5 Comments to Read
I have a Gloworm boiler and I have got a plumber to look at it he said the heat exchanger needs replacing. Also the diverter valve. If the heater exchanger was not working would I still be able to get the heating to work?
Peter W said,
It is possible that the plate heat exchanger is blocked with sludge or lime scale.The divertor valve may also be bunged up or may be needing a diaphragm.If the engineer insists on replacing the parts then make sure the boiler and radiator system is treated with a cleansing agent and an inhibitor.Ask for a quote on the work needing done and consider replacing the boiler as it might be more economical if the appliance is old.
Sarah-Ja said,
If this is a boiler (Not a forced-air furnace), then the heat-exchanger is either good or it is bad. If it is leaking and cannot be easily repaired, it is bad. If it is not leaking and you are getting proper heat, it is good. Similarly with hot water. It is just possible that the heat exchanger has become clogged with scale or debris – this would be highly unusual.
The diverter valve is another story. They fail fairly commonly. But this taken with the suggestion on the heat-exchanger makes me think he might be fishing.
Get a second opinion, for sure.
Turdy malurdy said,
If I were you I would get Gloworm out on a fixed price repair. Look at how much this man wants to charge and compare it with the fixed price repair cost which will cover you if they have to come back for any reason within a month.
You don’t specify the model or age which would be helpful.
Swiftflow
Compact
CI
Energysaver combi
CXI
Flexicom
Ultracom
would be some possibilities.
It is actually quite common for the plate heat exchanger to get blocked with magnetite if the system has not been cleaned and inhibited properly.
Paul L said,
heat exchanger is passive device and it’s matter of cracking or not.
Ask if there is any crack on. If not, you wouldn’t need replacing.
As for diverter valve, what’s wrong?
naltian said,
A Heat exchanger on a Gloworm boiler should be good for 10 years at least. I would get another plumbers opinion before paying for a part you may not need.
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