Are you curious about whether you’ll be able to use the existing time switch on your new boiler?
This is a question I get asked from customers all the time. Some of them say ‘time switch’ or ‘time clock’ (as in the tickety-tock clock which came on and off), whereas others say ‘programmer’ or ‘controls’.
Theoretically, you may want to use your existing time clock, as what you have already may be familiar – not too complex. If you’ve had the same controls for 10 years, it’s easy to understand why you might not want to switch them out for something new.
The other scenario I see a lot is where customers have a contract with British Gas, and might have had their controls replaced six months or a year ago. Just because they’re getting a new boiler now, doesn’t necessarily mean you need to get new controls if the ones you have are relatively new and working fine.
Below, I’m going to explain more about when you can keep your existing controls, and when you might need – or want – to switch them out for something new.
When can’t you use an existing time switch?
If you’ve got a regular boiler or a system boiler and controls you wish to keep, it could be difficult if you’re switching to a combi boiler (unless they’re smart controls). The reason? Well, if you think about it, when you have an old-fashioned system, the time clock has two separate displays (channels/settings) – one for heating, and one for hot water.
However, if you’re going from a combi to another combi, it should be no problem at all.
Again, this will depend on the type of controls you have. Smart controls are much more likely to work than old-fashioned controls. Simply take the hot water function away by deleting it on the app. Hey presto! Just check your engineer is up-to-speed with smart controls and knows how to connect them.
This is because modern controls have a specific way to be wired into the boiler; eburst control or opentherm, for example. Another example is the Worcester Wave, which modulates the boiler and fully integrates into the system. If it’s not wired in the proper way, you won’t get the full function.
Advice from an experienced engineer
If you’re at all unsure of whether you’ll be able to keep your existing time switch, your engineer should be able to tell you – just by having a quick look at it and from knowing the boiler you’re planning to install. They should also be able to talk you through your options and help advise you on your best options.
One of my customers had purchased Hive smart controls from British Gas just 6 or 9 months before contacting us to get a new boiler fitted. They were very happy with their new controls, and so I saw no reason why they couldn’t utilise them with their new combi boiler.
Another client had spent £1,000 on a Honeywell Evohome system, and wanted to ensure we were competent to connect it to their new combi boiler. We just needed the knowledge to know how that rigged up with the new combi.
It’s become more and more common with smart controls that once you buy them, then later get a new boiler, you’re perfectly happy to keep your existing controls by integrating them with your new system. And since smart controls tend to be a bit of an investment, why not?!
Conclusion
By now you should have a better idea of when you might be able to keep your existing smart controls – and when it might not work. If you’re had smart controls installed in the past 2 or 3 years, the chances are they might be fine with your new boiler.
However, if you have much older controls that you know and love – and you’re switching to a new combi boiler from a regular or system boiler – it might not be doable. If you’re unsure, ask your engineer for advice and see what they say. If you do need new controls, they should be able to advise you of all your options.
Do you have any questions about using the existing time switch with your new boiler? Just leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
