When immersion is on, radiators aren't - normal?

Question

I have an emmersion heater and boiler for central heating. I think, they both come from the same tank of water.

When the immersion is on to heat my water and the central heating is also on on the boiler, the radiators dont come on. Immersion goes off, radiators come on. Is that normal?

Answer 1

This may well be normal. By immersion, I assume you mean the large cylinder that stores hot water. The boiler serves the radiators and also a heating coil inside this cylinder. A motorised valve controls. the flow of water to the radiators or hot water cylinder, usually under the control of room thermostat and thermostat on the hot water storage cylinder. There are two different types of valve generally in use. One type is called a flow share valve and allows water from the boiler to be pumped simultaneously to both the radiators and hot water cylinder. But an alternative valve called a diverter valve is often installed where the boiler was sized with insufficient capacity to heat both the radiators and hot water at the same time. The theory being that the boiler can heat the hot water fairly quickly without the house getting too cold in the meantime (naturally a cheaper system). So I assume you have a diverter valve fitted. If you can locate this valve, usually near the pump, the valve reference will enable you to identify what type it is with your local heating merchant. If you feel your boiler has sufficient power to provide both heating and hot water at the same time, this valve can be changed for the flow share pattern by a competent installer.

Cliff. Chartered Building Services Engineer

Answer 2

Yes! sounds as though you have a combination cylinder, Immersion heater has no effect on the radiators, this is purely to heat hot water when boiler is off. the immersion should not be in use when the boiler is functioning as this heats the hot water via a central coil ( any event the immersion thermostat will cut out when set temperature is reached but it's a waste of electricity)

Answer 3

Your boiler should have timed control for heating and hot water, if this is so, then the immersion heater would normally be turned off.

Answer 4

Your immersion heater should be on its own dedicated circuit from the meter box, and NOT interconnected in some way with the central heating switch..
Get an electricial to sort it out.

Answer 5

You should not have the boiler and immersion heater on at the same time. The water in the boiler overheats and the safety thermostat cuts it out.

Answer 6

same here my immersion is just for hot water to the taps and is independant to the heating I assume yours to be the same

Answer 7

low water pressure

regards x kitti x