Combi Boiler

[Susiemac]

I have an oil fired combi boiler for my (oil) central heating and hot water supply. If I'm away from home for a few days in the winter, I need to leave the CH on low to prevent burst pipes - I live in Highland Scotland! Is it advisable to swich the water off at the stopcock (just in case) or does this need to be on whenever the boiler is switched on? Thanks for any help - there is a shortage of plumbers in these parts!

 

[Alanka]

A combi-boiler has a quantity of water sealed within it, which does not need topping up unless some has escaped or been bled off via a radiator. So you can shut off the rising main stopcock while you're away. Obviously no-one will be able to draw off hot water from the boiler, or cold water!

 

[Susiemac]

Many thanks for this very re-assuring post.

 

[so-solar]

what about the central heating pipework? your boiler has probably got a built in frost stat!

 

[robert]

Have you're oil tank checked for water contamination as in severe frost it can freeze,cutting off the oil supply to the burner

 

[renMIke]

If the boiler does have an automatic frost start (most modern ones do)then it shouldn't matter as the heating circut will be a closed loop and won't draw any water anyway.