Pictured: Nigel Gamble, Commercial Director at PTS

The winter of 2010 was one of the coldest winters on record. This resulted in an unusually high number of cases where the condensate drainage pipe on high efficiency boilers was freezing and causing temporary shut down - a serious issue for homeowners stranded in a cold home with no heating or hot water. Leading merchant PTS is warning installers that another cold winter is potentially on the horizon with similar problems and questions from householders expected to arise.

In the vast majority of cases, the boiler shut down happened when the condensate drainage pipe was located externally and was therefore susceptible to becoming frozen. The boiler was detecting this blockage and shutting down. A number of media reports questioned the effectiveness of high efficiency condensing boilers but it was later determined by industry associations that it was caused by condensate pipes being located externally as a last resort where other methods, prescribed by British Standards which terminate internally, cannot be used. 

Following the debate that arose due to freezing condensate pipes in 2010, PTS is now urging installers to make the most of the guidance issued by the Heating and Hot water Industry Council (HHIC) and leading manufacturers.

Nigel Gamble, Commercial Director at PTS, said: "The effects of frozen condensate on high efficiency boilers was a big issue last year and one which the industry and homeowners are now much more aware of thanks to the hard work done by the HHIC and boiler manufacturers. Freak weather conditions such as those in 2010 are difficult to predict and protect against, so it's important to be prepared. We're encouraging installers to read all of the guidance that's now available to provide the best service possible in case weather conditions become as severe this winter."