DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

As you may have seen in one of my posts in central heating forum - I know quite a few electricians, that either haven't a clue (maybe they like us to think this) or they don't like working on heating systems. For example installing, room thermostats, programmers, three port valves etc.

I've had a few jobs where programmer's need renewing or rewired and they tell the tenant to get a heating engineer. Then I go and do the job. With it being nothing to do with the gas side of the installation I can't see why they wouldn't/couldn't do this type of work.

Is there a reason for this, is it alot different compared to other work for example installing sockets and lights ?

Hi, H.E.
I do a lot off boiler control work as now coming under bldg. regs lots of plumbers/heating Engineers have given up doing their own rather than getting 'defined scope' approval themselves.
I don't find the work difficult but have been designing/building commercial boiler room control panels for years. However I will say that I always ask the guys I work for to buy one make of kit, (i don't care whose), as it saves having to look up circuit equivalents.
My only gripe about doing it is they NEVER allow enough money on the job for my time, & as they usually buy the kit there is no other profit in it for me!
Why do they charge several thou. for a few bits of pipe and tin boxes but think I work for love??? especially when I have to be there at exactly the right time in their schedule but can't tell me when until the day before!!
As for comparing it with other types of leckie work, wiring houses [known in trade as 'house-bashing'] only has three basic circuit types so very easy to learn circuits just have to be able to test properly.
It's like fault finding some have the nouse & some never will have, some can read complex circuit drawings and some can't.
the difference between pipe fitter & plumber & heating eng. - horses for courses!
regards SPARX