Letter: New condensing boiler won't work in the cold

Letter: I would like to tell everyone about my new central heating combination boiler, fitted January 3, 2010, price £1,895.

We were told by our heating engineer that this is one of the best to have.

What he didn't say is beware if it is very cold outside as you won't be able to have heat or hot water.

Why? Because the water condensing pipe just freezes and they cannot do anything about it.

This happened on November 28, at 4am. I am 66 years old and suffer badly with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and I cannot tolerate being cold, I just seize up.

I am wrapped up, thermals on, thick jumper and coat on.

My husband is 69, he can move about, so Monday at 7.30am to about 11am he was outside trying to thaw the pipe. He dismantled part of the pipe to thaw it out - lots of thick ice.

He also climbed on the car port to try to do the rest of the pipe, but it was no good. He tried to reset the boiler and it did fire up for three minutes, then there was a terrible noise and it went off.

Why do heating people say it's energy efficient when it stops working when you want it to keep you warm?

I have been living downstairs since Sunday as upstairs is too cold. Thank goodness we have a good gas fire and electric cooker to heat the rooms downstairs.

Why make the boiler if it just stops in the cold weather?

Diana Roberts

Broseley