I have recently had an Ariston Combi A30 MFFi installed. The flue is located a good height above my downstairs neighbour's front door. However, it has been spurting water out on top of her when she leaves the house, which she's not at all happy about! The installers have been back twice - they put something under the flue to raise it, which initially did the trick, but now the problem has started up again. Before I push them for further action, I want to be sure that this is not supposed to happen. I understand about the plume, and that's OK, but drips and spurts of water? Also, is this definitely an installation problem, or should I be speaking to Ariston?

In connection with the same boiler, can anybody explain the "Temperature holding function" to me? The boiler regularly comes on even when taps are not run and the heating is supposed to be off, I assume because of that function. Is it neccesary? - seems like a waste of energy. If it's not necessary, how do I stop it?

Finally, the instruction booklet talks about the room thermostat, but i'm not aware of having a room thermostat unless it is inside the boiler, which would seem strange. Do I need one? Some of my radiators have thermostatic valves. Will these work with this new boiler? How can they work when there is no form of communication between them and the boiler?

Apologies for the stupid questions, but I don't know much about boilers!!

Catherine, October 2007

Dear dear dear domestic engineer you really should stick to things domestic as you obviously have little knowledge of gas work. The room stat is extremely important as it prevents your boiler from cycling on and off while your central heating is on. Therefore aiding your fuel efficiency and saving on gas consumption. Your system has not been installed to current standards you should contact a corgi registetered engineer to provide a quote or get in your original installer if he is corgi registered although it sounds like he is not.

Jim, March 2008

It seem you have a faulty boiler,which should not spurt any water out as it could cause harm to anyone. Your boiler is new as well I have a new boiler which comes on everyday for 6 seconds in the morning at 6 am and at night same for 6 seconds for (energy efficiency) like a quick immersion hot water. your thermostat is to vary the warm temperature of the house aswell you have on your boiler high/low aswell same for your radiators thermostat is to control heat, can be put anywhere as you like.and it unimportant. Ideally you should be complaining to the installer/supplier to get your rights.

domestic engineer

anjum zaman, October 2007