How do I turn on my oil fired central heating?

VonVix

Just moved into our first home, we haven’t had OFCH before. Our tank has oil in it. We have a Firebird burner out the back, there’s a big ol’ red button in the middle.

I can’t find any switches to turn it on in the house. One of the radiators has a dial you can turn. That’s about it.

I have it due to be serviced on Tuesday.

But in the meantime... Please help, we are cold!

Wearb

I wouldn't reccommendat turning it on until you have it looked at. Who knows when it was last running correctly.

However if you want to chance it, do you have anything like this.


Is it an outside boiler, got a pic of it?

VonVix

Wearb wrote: »

I wouldn't reccommendat turning it on until you have it looked at. Who knows when it was last running correctly.

However if you want to chance it, do you have anything like this.


Is it an outside boiler, got a pic of it?

We are definitely going to be careful!

We have that exact one, however it just heats up the tap water as far as I know.

I have attached two images.

sundodger5

VonVix wrote: »

We are definitely going to be careful!

We have that exact one, however it just heats up the tap water as far as I know.

I have attached two images.

That button is a lockout button and unless lit up has nothing to do with starting the boiler.
The switch, which i inagine is some sort of timer, should be in the house. Have a look in the hot press.

Wearb

Any switch near that timer? Any switches in the hotpress? Any wall thermostat?

kona

Find a wire going to the actual burner and trace it back until you get to a switch.

VonVix

sundodger5 wrote: »

That button is a lockout button and unless lit up has nothing to do with starting the boiler.
The switch, which i inagine is some sort of timer, should be in the house. Have a look in the hot press.

Hot press just has 4 switches that say
On - Off
Bath - Sink

No other timers or switches inside.

Wearb wrote: »

Any switch near that timer? Any switches in the hotpress? Any wall thermostat?

There's one switch on the floor with a "do not turn off" label, the wires follow up to the boiler.

kona wrote: »

Find a wire going to the actual burner and trace it back until you get to a switch.

I had a look but the burner is right up against the wall, so I can't follow any wires coming out of it and going into the house. But the burner is on the other side of the Timer on the wall for heating the water.

Wearb

Turn off that on/off immersion switch. Manually turn on the timer. then see if there is power at the boiler. You might be able to feel the circulating pump running.
I'm not sure if that timer is controlling the boiler or immersion (most likely boiler)

Hot press just has 4 switches that say
On - Off
Bath - Sink

4 switches? Pic

VonVix

Wearb wrote: »

Turn off that on/off immersion switch. Manually turn on the timer. then see if there is power at the boiler. You might be able to feel the circulating pump running.
I'm not sure if that timer is controlling the boiler or immersion (most likely boiler)
4 switches? Pic

Thanks for your help in all this. It’s really frustrating trying to figure out everything.

Wearb

VonVix wrote: »

Thanks for your help in all this. It’s really frustrating trying to figure out everything.

That's 2 switches .
Did you do as I asked in previous post?

um7y1h83ge06nx

I'm no expert but you would have to assume there are at least 2 zones for the boiler - water and radiators. Most likely the controls are either near the boiler, close to the kitchen (could be in a press) or in the hot press.

VonVix

Wearb wrote: »

That's 2 switches .
Did you do as I asked in previous post?

Sorry, I meant 4 options.

Yes, I turned the immersion switch off. Timer is on. There's no rumble, I can't feel anything turned on.

Wearb

There is a thermostat beside the boiler and a small cover beside the dial for that stat. Remove that cover and press the little matchstick-like button in, then press that red button and post back here if anything happens

Is there a thermostat on the wall somewhere.
It might be turned down low

whizbang

The plumbing looks relatively new for the age of the house.. and boiler..

Look for a supplier/installer sticker anywhere near plumbing, most likely at the boiler. The fitter could be still available.

TheChizler

VonVix wrote: »

There's one switch on the floor with a "do not turn off" label, the wires follow up to the boiler.

Sounds like there's an electronic timer somewhere.