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  • Any gas heating experts on here?
  • meeeee
    Free Member

    Just had my boiler serviced and he says the inlet gas pressure is 13mbar when it should be 20 according to the manufacturers installation book. He showed me the details in the installation book I had in the boiler cupboard so am not disputing that.

    Anyway I looked through the previous service records from before we bought the house and another service guy had written the same comment in 2012, the year after it was fitted. We did have it serviced 18 months ago and no one mentioned anything then, but not sure if they checked it that time?

    So as it hasn’t blown up or caused any problems in the last 4 years is it a major issue? What’s the potential issue with the pressure being so low? Boiler guy reckons it needs a different size gas pipe running to it, not sure how much all that costs and it’s quite a way from the gas meter 🙁

    redben
    Full Member

    I assume the engineer who serviced the boiler last year did not carry out a gas inlet pressure check, possibly he just gas rated the appliance from the gas meter.
    Technically it means the boiler may not working correctly ( as per the manufacturers design parameters). In reality it means the boiler is going to be modulating down e.g it won’t work to the maximum stated heat output.
    If it was me servicing the boiler I would be making a recommendation of isolating the boiler until the gas supply has been sized accordingly.
    If you want any advice/unbiased information drop me an email to benalprocter at gmail .com (I am a gas engineer domestic + commercial)

    chickenman
    Full Member

    So basically condemn the boiler because it doesn’t produce quite as hot a shower as one with a larger gas pipe???
    Is it a 15, 22 or 28mm gas pipe going into the boiler at the moment?

    project
    Free Member

    You could damage gas pipe, and ring transco /national grid, report a leak and they will replace the pipe, they want lift floors etc and run pipes round outside of house, not good looking, but sometimes free. and probably illegal if not a pure accident.

    Get the whole pipe replaced at cost.

    meeeee
    Free Member

    Chickenman – looks like 22mm pipe going in

    Just looked through the installation commissioning checklist and the installer has put 20mbar on there, so what would make it drop down to 13 which it was on the first annual service and today? Assuming he actually tested it and it was 20 at installation…..

    onlysteel
    Free Member

    I suggest damaging the pipe might not be sensible. Not only are you putting life and property at risk, I think you’ll find the supply will be made safe by disconnecting at the meter and you will be left to sort out the necessary repair.

    hora
    Free Member

    Damage the pipe? What?!

    meeeee
    Free Member

    Don’t worry I have no intention of damaging the pipe!

    If low gas pressure is a big enough deal to give me a dangerous appliance warning notice though, then why don’t boilers monitor the pressure and refuse to be commissioned, or shut down if it falls below the minimum pressure? It monitors water pressure so why not gas pressure?

    bongohoohaa
    Free Member

    You could damage gas pipe, and ring transco /national grid, report a leak and they will replace the pipe, they want lift floors etc and run pipes round outside of house, not good looking, but sometimes free. and probably illegal if not a pure accident.

    Get the whole pipe replaced at cost.

    😐

    hora
    Free Member

    OP get another opinion. Find a gas engineer who specialises in your make if need be. A call out fee is worth peace of mind. I’d bloody hesitate before a boiler swap mind.

    j4mie
    Free Member

    meeeee – Is it 13mbar at the gas meter?

    The network only guarantees 19mbar at the meter generally, and I don’t have detailed knowledge after that but the meter itself should govern the pressure to 19mbar anyway in case there is a spike in the mains pressure.

    If it is lower than that, call the gas emergency line on 0800 111999 reporting loss of pressure, they will send engineer(s) to investigate. Could be a smaller than normal service pipe, could be a leak somewhere that you can’t smell, could be issues with the main in the street, blockages etc. Any of this (should) be sorted by the network FOC!

    If pressure at the meter is 19, then it’ll be the outlet pipe work that needs looked at by your Gas Safe engineer. “quite a way from the gas meter” would suggest that is the issue to be honest…. but might be something as simple as having a dual service shared with a neighbour who has had new/larger appliances installed and the pipe now can’t support yours at the same time.

    HTH. Depending where in the country you are I might be able to help further if you email me.

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