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[julie.uk]

I have an over abundance of hot water but no heating at all. When I turn the heating/hot water on the boiler makes a whining noise which is really scary! I bled the radiators, downstairs water comes out, upstairs loads of air then nothing.
My son and I are really cold (unless one of us is in the bath!) I have read similar problems but I really am a novice and I don't know where to start. I have a boiler (immersion I think) in the airing cuboard but that didn't do anything either.
Please could you help and explain it as simply as possible?
Many thanks
Julie

[marrtin]

Are you saying the hot water is currently being heated by the electric immersion in the airing cupboard and the boiler is totally switched off?

It sounds as if the boiler is not properly full of water, and if so, you are right to be scared by the noise.

Have you not got a friend or neighbour who could just have a quick look and see what is going on before any damage occurs to the boiler?

The first thing I would suggest is to check the header tanks. If you have two, are they both full of water?

[julie.uk]

I thought that was how it was being heated but after turning it off I still have lots of hot water, literally steaming clouds coming off it.
I don't know anyone who could have a look :(
Where would I find the header tanks and how do I refill them?
Julie

[malctoy]

[quote="julie.uk"]I thought that was how it was being heated but after turning it off I still have lots of hot water, literally steaming clouds coming off it.
I don't know anyone who could have a look :(
Where would I find the header tanks and how do I refill them?
Julie[/quote]

You should have what is called a 'header tank' usually in your loft that supplies your central heating system and boiler with water. This is totally different and separate to the immersion heating tank usually found in an airing cupboard and can be electrically switched on/off when you need hot water.

You may also have in your loft a 'cold water' supply tank which supplies your upstairs taps with cold water and also refills your immersion heating tank when hot water has been drawn.

It would be unusual for either of the loft tanks to run dry as both have ballcock stop taps on them and fill to a predetermined level automatically.

It could be an electrical problem.... either the motorized valve that sends hot water to either the immersion heater or to the radiators wherever it is needed or maybe the room thermostat if you have one or maybe the central heating programmer (this is where you can set time on/off for heating, hotwater etc.

I think you maybe need a plumber who specialises in Central Heating and if gas, is Corgi Registered.

Hope this helps....

[ericmark]

May be fault on motorized valve? If so they have a lever to allow bleeding if you set this lever you should get both hot water and central heating it will mean domestic hot water will be too hot but central heating will be working until you can get it fixed. Not sure if you need plummer or electrician as if it is micro switch in valve gone the motor can be changed without undoing pipes if same make is used.
Only a guess but my daughter had same problem. Builder had latched the valve then 3 years latter my son-in-law tidied up airing cupboard and knocked it and it returned to correct place and they lost all central heating.
Valve cost £50 so did not repair just changed.