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Useful numbers
Consumer Helpline

Service

Literature

(Pre- & Post-Sales)

Tel: 08457 256206

Tel: 01905 752556

Tel: 08705 266241

Fax: 01905 757536

or download instantly
from our website

Fax: 01905 752741

www.worcester-bosch.co.uk
In partnership with

The Council for

Registered Gas
Installers

Worcester, Bosch Group is a brand name of Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd.

This leaflet is accurate at the date of printing, but may be superseded and should be disregarded if specification and/or appearances
are changed in the interest of continued improvement. The statutory rights of the consumer are not affected.

Part No. 8 716 104 727

Worcester, Bosch Group,

Cotswold Way, Warndon,
Worcester, WR4 9SW
Tel: 01905 754624
Fax: 01905 754619

Iss D 03/08

Heating and
hot water guide

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Getting the most out of

your heating system
Today we all have far greater awareness of global warming, climate

Contents

change, the need to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The heart of your heating system

into the atmosphere, and the need to develop and utilise

Radiators

Heating controls

10

Combi boiler domestic hot water operation

14

General water conditions

16

General boiler and heating system care

18

alternative renewable energy sources whenever and wherever

we can. Theres also the increasing need to counter the effects
of unstable energy prices governed by supply, demand and
world events beyond our control.
This booklet offers you a few simple guidelines on how to keep

Renewable energy:

the heating system and its components in optimum working

Solar water heating

26

condition, and maximise their reliability and reduce running costs.

Ground source heat pumps

28

The heart of your heating system

8 simple tips for saving energy and

reducing running costs

30

The boiler is at the heart of any central heating system. However,

all the other components i.e. radiators, timers, radiator valves etc.,
are all vital to the overall comfort levels required in the home.
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The heart of your heating system

4

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Radiators
1 Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV)

2 Lockshield radiator valve

3 Air release vent

In each of the rooms that require heating

Please note that it is most important that

will be one or possibly more radiators.

your installer has instructed you on how to

The function of the radiator is to convert

replenish the water levels within a sealed

the hot water generated by the boiler into

heating system before you attempt to

the air temperature of the room. It therefore

release air from radiators.

stands to reason that the hotter the radiator

temperature then generally the hotter the

Your installer should have regulated the

room temperature.

lockshield valve so that there is an 'even

heat up' that takes place throughout the

Radiator components

radiator, generally with an approximate

There are 3 major components connected

10C - 12C (20C for condensing boilers)

to the radiator. For the radiator to function

difference between the incoming flow of

to its design it must always be free of air

water and the outgoing returning water.

and full of water. The air release vent is, as

its description implies, where any air within

See page 24 for notes on removing

the radiator can be released by using a

radiators.

special air vent key.

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Radiators

Radiator operation

from the window. The performance of

preferably be well exposed and not hindered by

Turning off radiators

More often than not the radiators will be

the radiator will be affected if curtains

furniture or curtains so it can accurately detect

The heating system and the outputs of the radiators

sited underneath a window, so the warm air

are allowed to drape over the radiator or

the room temperature. Do not be too concerned

have been carefully selected by your installer.

of the radiator heats the colder incoming air

shelves are fitted above it. The positioning

if the whole of the radiator is not as hot as

The temperature obtainable in any given room is

of furniture and tables in front of the

uncontrolled radiators, it is likely that the TRV

dependent on all the radiators being operated at

radiator should also be avoided.

has temporarily shut the radiator off as the room

the same time. If you decide to turn off radiators in

is up to temperature. A TRV should not be fitted on

unused rooms, spare bedrooms etc., you may

the radiator in the room with the room thermostat.

experience slightly lower room temperatures in

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

The radiators in your home should be

rooms adjacent to unheated rooms.

fitted with Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Maintenance of radiator valves

(TRVs) which will enable you to control the

It is advisable to manually adjust all radiator valves

temperature of each room individually. As

every 2-3 months to prevent them sticking. It is also

well as helping to maintain your comfort

important that the plastic tops of all valves are

levels at different times of the day, TRVs

always in position and not cracked or damaged so

also provide a simple means of reducing

as to prevent accidents. Care should be taken when

running costs.

vacuum cleaning carpets so as to avoid damage to

valves and pipework.

Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV)

The higher the number shown on the TRV,

the hotter the room should get, up to a
maximum of around 22C. The TRV should

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Heating controls
If your boiler has been installed during
the last few years your central heating
system should include a timer or
programmer, a room thermostat as well
as Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
on the radiators in most of the rooms. Each
of these components of the heating system
can play an important role in improving your
comfort levels and running costs.

Worcester TD200 text

display programmer

10

11

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Heating controls

Timer

Consequently if you require the temperature

Room thermostat

thermostat to be able to detect the

Frost thermostat

The timer or programmer brings the heating

in the house to be at a certain level first

The room thermostat dictates how hot

temperature in the house accurately

In certain circumstances your installer

system on for set periods of time. The timer

thing in the morning, the programmer needs

the air temperature in the house will

it should be sited away from direct

may have fitted a frost thermostat to

can be either wall mounted remotely from

to bring the boiler on at least 30 minutes

be. Generally the thermostat is sited in

sunlight and not be covered by

the system. This can be sited either

the boiler or attached to the facia panel of

before that time. Please note that the actual

the hall or landing or in an unheated

curtains, furniture etc. Whilst the

outside or in an unheated space,

the boiler itself. The timer can be either

time of the programmer will require re-

room. They can be either mechanical

insulation characteristics of houses

garage etc. If the weather conditions

mechanical (with a dial) or digital. There

setting at the start and end of British

(with a dial) or digital. For the

are all different the thermostat

are extreme, the function of the frost

will be a separate instruction manual telling

Summer Time, unless it is one of

should generally be set to between

thermostat is to bring the boiler and

you how to set the actual time of the

Worcesters latest programmers that

18C and 21C.

heating system on (even though the

programmer and the times you wish the

does this automatically.

programmer may be in an off position)

central heating to be on.

Worcester MT10
mechanical timer

Programmable room thermostat

so as to prevent the system and

Depending on the age of your heating

pipework being subjected to frost.

Depending on the insulation of the house

system and boiler, you may have

and the outside temperature it will take at

installed a programmable room

least 30 minutes to bring the house up to

thermostat. This allows the time and

the desired temperature.

temperature levels of the house to be

programmed to different levels
throughout the day. Again, a separate
Worcester D10RF Digistat 24-hour programmable
room thermostat

12

Worcester RT10 room thermostat

instruction booklet will have been

supplied with this.

13

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Combi boiler domestic hot water operation

As well as generating heat for the central

temperature. This delay is dependent

showers. All Worcester wall-mounted

heating system, a combi boiler also heats

on the temperature of the incoming

combis have a very consistent and

water directly from the mains. This of

mains and the length of pipework

minimal temperature fluctuation.

course eliminates the need for a hot water

from the boiler to the outlet. This time

Providing your shower is suitable

water rather than seeking the

storage cylinder and cold water storage

delay can be greatly reduced if, after

for mains pressures and is either

temperature of the discharging

cisterns in the roofspace. Consequently it is

turning on the tap or shower to a full

thermostatically controlled or of a

more efficient. Depending on the output of

rate, the tap or shower is then

pressure balancing type, the water

the boiler and whether it is floor standing

reduced to a slower rate until the

temperature should be very stable. If

a slightly longer period of time to fill

or wall mounted, one or more taps or

temperature is achieved.

this is not the case then it is likely the

the bath to the desired temperature

shower may not be of a suitable type.

showers may be operated simultaneously.

the bath.
2. Check the temperature of the bath

water from the tap.

3. Depending on the boiler type, allow

and level.
4. To save energy if the bath is of a

Boiler on (central heating on)

The temperature of the hot water and the

In this operating condition there

Bathing

cast iron or pressed steel type it

heat up time from cold depends upon the

will generally be an initial draw-off

With most wall mounted combis the

may be worth insulating underneath

position of the boiler and whether the

of cooler water before the desired

hot water flow rate available from

the bath behind the bath panel with

central heating is on or off at the time.

temperature is delivered to the tap

the taps is slightly slower than with

a suitable insulation.

or shower.

a conventional hot water system,

this is generally only noticeable

Boiler off (no central heating)

14

1. Run only the hot water tap into

When the boiler has been off for some time

Showering

when filling a bath. When running

it will generally take longer to heat any

One of the major benefits of a combi

a bath the following will help:

domestic hot water to the desired

boiler is impressive mains pressure

15

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General water conditions

Hard water areas

Cloudy water

Generally Worcester combi boilers will

In certain areas of the country and

operate successfully and efficiently in

perhaps at certain times of the day it

all areas of the country. There are certain

is possible that the heated domestic hot

areas and districts however, that experience

water has a cloudy or milky appearance.

very hard water conditions. Hard water

This appearance can be off-putting.

can lead to scale forming within the heat

However, it is nothing to worry about as

exchanger of the appliance, reducing the

this cloudy appearance is simply millions of

efficiency and possibly the flow rate. In

air bubbles created by the calcium present

areas where the temporary hard water

within the water being heated. This can be

count exceeds 200ppm (parts per million

demonstrated by filling a glass whereupon

you will need check this with your local

the bubbles can be seen to disperse.

A typical example of a heavily corroded pipe.

In extreme cases the build-up of hard water
limescale in a hot water pipe can cause heavy
corrosion and severely reduce the performance
and efficiency of your heating system.

water company) it is suggested that a scale

prevention device or water softener is fitted
to the incoming mains.

16

17

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General boiler and heating system care

Your boiler is a precision-made appliance

Pressure gauge

sealed system water pressure needs

However, when the boiler system is cold,

which generally requires little or no user

If you have a combination boiler or a system

topping back up to the 1bar level.

the gauge should revert to around 1bar.

attention. The following tips may be of

boiler installed it is likely that there will be

assistance in getting the best from your

a pressure gauge mounted in the facia

Depending on the boiler type and the

boiler and heating system.

of the appliance. The pressure gauge should

installation method chosen there are

be set at around 1bar in pressure when the

2 ways of filling the heating system.

Open vent primary system

An open vent system has a small feed and

boiler is cold.

Depending on the boiler model you have

When the boiler

Sealed primary system

expansion cistern connected to the boiler

installed there will be a central heating

operates the

This is now by far the most common

and is generally located in the roofspace.

temperature control knob and possibly a

gauge is likely to

arrangement of heating system with a

domestic hot water temperature control

rise to 1.5bar or

combi boiler. Within the system (either

This type of arrangement automatically

knob. The more clockwise the temperature

more. When the

within the boiler hydraulics or within the

fills the heating system and removes the

knob is turned, the hotter the temperature

system cools

system pipework) will be a filling link.

need for a pressure gauge.

of the function. This is very much a trial

back down the

This allows mains water to enter the system

pressure gauge

pipework and radiators via a temporary

suitable level for your needs. E indicates

should maintain

hose connection or key, filling the system

Economy mode. At this temperature the

itself at around 1bar. If it is noticed over a

with water until the pressure gauge reads

boiler operates in full condensing mode

period of time that the pressure gauge

generally around 1bar. When the heating or

(if you have a condensing boiler installed).

drops below this, it would indicate that

Pressure gauge

there is a small leak on the system and the

18

on how to operate the filling link.

Temperature controls

and error exercise until you find the most

Temperature knob

Your installer should have instructed you

hot water system is on, the gauge will rise.

Filling link

19

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General boiler and heating system care

Combi boilers and water meters

turned off hot water tap and the meter.

Flue pluming

What happens to the boiler if

Generally, combination boilers do not store

This could lead to the pressure rising to a

If you have had a boiler installed since

I run out of gas or oil?

any water; they heat the water instantly

high enough level to make taps or showers

April 2005, it is more than likely to be a

With a natural gas-fired boiler you are

from the mains, upon demand. There are

start to drip. Consequently, if you have a

high efficiency condensing appliance.

connected to the mains gas supply line,

some exceptions to this and generally

combi boiler and a water meter has been

Condensing boilers operate more efficiently

so unless for some reason the gas line is

speaking floor standing, oil- or gas-fired

installed after the boiler was installed, it is

than non-condensing appliances as they

interrupted you are unlikely ever to run out

combi boilers have a store of water,

important to check with your installer that

extract more heat from the flue gases.

of gas. If, however, you have an LPG or

but the majority of wall-mounted boilers

an additional expansion vessel has been

Lowering the heat of the flue gases can

oil-fired boiler you will need to order the

are instantaneous versions. When a hot

fitted to the mains water pipework. This

make the flue plume under certain

LPG or oil as and when required i.e. when

water tap is operated and subsequently

will absorb all of the expansion water

weather conditions, particularly when it

the level of fuel in the tank becomes low.

turned off, a small amount of expansion

created by the generation of hot water.

is cold. Please do not be alarmed by the

If, for whatever reason, you run out of LPG

of that water takes place. Within the

plume or low temperature water vapour

or oil the fuel supply line to the boiler from

water regulations it is permissible for this

exiting the flue terminal, it is quite natural

the tank will need to be purged of air. It is

expanding water to travel back down the

and shows how efficiently your boiler

advisable to call your installer or service

water mains. If, however, a device has been

is operating.

engineer to carry this out before you

fitted to prevent the water flowing back

attempt to use the appliance. The longer

down the mains e.g. a water meter, a build

the oil or LPG supply line from the tank to

up of pressure could occur between the

20

21

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General boiler and heating system care

the boiler, the more air there will be to

the pipe in extreme weather conditions,

would normally retain its settings for around

system with a chemical cleanser. This can

purge. This is particularly apparent with

particularly in freezing temperatures where

a month. If the timer is of the mechanical

be flushed through either via a gravity style

oil-fired boilers, where the bleeding of the

there is a wind chill as well. To prevent

analogue type with a clock face, it will stop

method or more successfully with a special

oil pump can take some time. Please be

condensate freezing within the boiler or

at the point the power is interrupted. When

power flush machine. Your installer will be

observant of the oil or LPG levels within

within the pipe it is advisable that the pipe

the power is restored it will be necessary

able to advise you on the benefits and the

your tank and make sure that you order

diameter is increased in diameter from the

to re-set a mechanical timer to the correct

cost of power flushing the system. This

sufficient deliveries well in advance of

normal 21mm connection. Alternatively, the

time. Once the timer has been re-set the

would return the boiler and the system back

the supply running out.

externally run pipe work could be insulated

boiler can be operated as normal.

to its design efficiency and operation.

to lessen the likelihood this happening.

Condensate discharge pipes

If your boiler does not function in extreme

System flushing and cleansing

As part of the condensing process,

temperature conditions it is very likely

If your boiler has been installed over the

condensing boilers produce a small amount

that the condensate has frozen within the

last year or two then it is more than likely

of liquid (condensate) which is run via a

pipe and this needs to be rectified by a

that the heating system has been flushed

pipe to a drain system. Commonly this is

competent person prior to the boiler

and cleansed by your installer. If, however,

done within the room in which the boiler is

being able to function again.

you are experiencing boiler noise or your

located. However, it is possible to run the

22

System flushing equipment

radiators are hot at the bottom yet cold at

condensate pipe into an external waste pipe

Power cuts

the top it is possible that the cleanliness

or drain. Where this is the case there is the

In the event of the electricity supply being

of the system water is not up to standard.

possibility of the condensate freezing within

interrupted, any digital programming device

This can be remedied by flushing the

23

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General boiler and heating system care

Radiator removal for decorating

Annual servicing

When decorating a room it is more

To ensure your boiler functions most

convenient to remove the radiator from

efficiently it should be serviced annually

its brackets to paper or paint behind it

by a CORGI-registered or oil (OFTEC)

more thoroughly. Usually this means

engineer. Annual servicing of your

isolating the two valves either side of

heating system and boiler can also

the radiator and opening the union nut

prevent breakdowns of the boiler

connection will allow the water in the

and inconvenient malfunction.

radiator to be drained into a container.

The radiator can then be removed.

Worcester, Bosch Group operates a

Replacing the radiator after the work

number of maintenance contracts and

has been completed means tightening the

schemes. Telephone 08457 256206 for

union nuts back to the radiator valves and

further information.

then turning the valves back to where they

24

were previously set. If, however, the boiler

Cleaning of your boiler

is a combi and is run on a sealed system,

The boiler should ideally be kept in a

the system will need re-pressurising as

dust-free environment. The cabinet and

described in the section Sealed primary

side panels should be cleaned with a

system on page 19.

damp cloth if necessary.

Annual servicing will

help keep your boiler
in good working order

25

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Renewable energy
solar water heating a sustainable option

If your current central heating boiler provides a store of

Used in conjunction with a regular or system boiler, a

hot water in a cylinder ie. a regular or system boiler, a solar

typical solar thermal system could provide around 50-70%

water heating system could provide a golden opportunity

of your homes annual domestic hot water requirements

to go green. Solar thermal products work by harnessing

in the summer months this could be as high as 80-90%.

freely available energy from the sun. This simple, clean and
efficient technology absorbs sunshine and converts it into

To operate a solar system with a central heating system you

heat that is pumped directly into your hot water cylinder.

will need to have a hot water cylinder with two heating coils
inside one running from the heating system and the other

Solar thermal panels operate on the principle of daylight

from the solar system.

absorption and dont depend on long spells of unbroken

sunshine. A special coating on the absorber ensures that

Grants* from the Government are usually available towards

the system performs efficiently even on cloudy days.

the cost of installing a solar water heating system. To find

The panels harness the power in both direct and diffused

out more visit www.est.org.uk

sunlight to convert the suns energy into hot water for your
home and are designed to complement existing heating and
hot water systems.

26

*Correct at the time of printing

27

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Ground source heat pumps

can provide sustainable heat for your home

Ground source heat pumps are relatively

increase the size of the radiators to obtain

new to the UK but their proven technology

the maximum benefit from the system.

has been used for many years in northern

Europe. These innovative products tap into

Although ground source heat pumps have

energy from the sun which is absorbed by

been designed to be the only source of

the earth. The ground source heat pump

heating and hot water for your home,

system simply extracts the energy trapped

they can be used in conjunction with

below the surface of the land adjoining your

solar thermal panels.

property and turns it into heat for your

home. The system works on similar

Again, there are usually grants* available

principles to a fridge but in reverse.

to help towards the cost of a ground

source heat pump for your home. Visit

Ground source heat pumps

Ground source heat pumps work most

are available as heating only

effectively with underfloor heating

or combined heating and hot

systems but they can also be used with

water models

radiators, although there may be a need to

28

www.est.org.uk for more information.

*Correct at the time of printing

29

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8 simple tips
for saving energy and reducing running costs

Roof insulation

Draughts

system is a programmer, interlocking

The famous Bosch quality

every boiler, but also to standards of

everyday life, Worcester has produced

Around 30% of the heat loss from a

Try to ensure that draughts around

room thermostat and thermostatic

As part of the worldwide Bosch

after-sales service, expert help is only

a childrens book. If you would like a

property is through the roof. Replace

doors, windows, letterboxes and

radiator valves.

Group, Worcester is renowned for

a telephone call away. Along with

free copy, simply call 01905 752556

any old insulation with new insulation,

keyholes etc., are reduced by using a

superlative quality, reliability and

excellent parts availability, your

or visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

preferably of around 200mm thickness

suitable draught excluder. WARNING

Radiators

customer

guarantee and the extended warranty

or more.

Do not block or seal any air vents that

If radiators are fitted on an outside wall,

service.

options, it is further proof that a

Visit the website

are installed to ensure the central

fitting reflective foil paper to the wall

boiler made by Worcester is

Our website at

heating boiler operates safely.

behind the radiator will reduce heat loss

Working for a cleaner environment

made to be the best.

www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

through the wall behind the radiator.

Worcester is also providing further

Window frames
Single glazed windows, particularly those

has useful information including

with steel frames, can lose a great deal

Room thermostats

significant energy-saving and

Picture a greener future

downloadable operating instructions

of heat. Consideration should be given to

Reducing the setting of the room

Solar panels

environmental benefits through the

To help children understand the

for your boiler and controls. There is

replacement with PVCu or wooden

thermostat by 1C can reduce fuel

The addition of solar water heating

introduction of a range of renewable

impact of global

also a section where you can locate

framed double glazed units.

consumption by up to 10%.

panels to your system could provide

technology products for UK homes.

warming and

an installer in your area.

Curtains

New control systems

requirements from a renewable and

All the reassurance of a

which we can

Lined curtains, or the heavier full

Upgrade your heating control system

free energy source.

complete after-sales service

all help to

length curtains, can provide excellent

with the latest equipment available.

Worcester quality applies not only

reduce energy

insulation. However, always ensure that

The minimum level of control

to the design and manufacture of

wastage and harmful emissions in

the ways in

up to 70% of your annual hot water

the curtains do not drape over radiators.

30

for a combi boiler or fully pumped

31