Moved into the flat and the main tenant told me that I always have to keep at least one heater on 5 at all times during the winter or else the system won’t work. I totally forgot about this since he told me in summer, and now the flat isn’t getting any heat and hot water as well because I forgot to keep one on 5.

Why is this happening? I’ve never had this happen in the other three apartments I’ve lived in. It seems like a huge waste of energy so I’m wondering how common this is.

by Environmental_Nerve3

6 comments

  1. Call the landlord to fix it, period. That is his job. Otherwise join a Mietervein/-bund and ask about the formalities deducting rent.

  2. This is happening because the wall thermostat is giving the signal to heat, while none of the heaters valves allow it. The systems counteract it, blocking the central heating pump from functioning, causing this error.
    In fact it is not just any heater that should be in 5, but specifically the one that is in the room with the wall thermostat. This because the temperature there is controlled already by the wall thermostat by signalling the burner to pump and heat or not heat, so any lower setting in that radiator could cause counteraction.
    You should be able to reset the central heating once the counteraction is lifted (turn it off for a while and then on again).
    But there is also a chance that this broke the pump. In this case you will have to call someone to fix this. Or there is another problem, also possible. It seems there is an indicator on that say there is not enough water or pressure in the system and needs refilling. This is usually a simple fix if you know what you are doing.

    For better understanding, read up on how thermostatic radiator valves work. They are not simple flow valves

  3. > Why is this happening? I’ve never had this happen in the other three apartments I’ve lived in. It seems like a huge waste of energy so I’m wondering how common this is.

    You’re making it sound like it’s supposed to function how it is and there must be a logical reason for it. The heater is just broken.

  4. If it wasn’t in the contract, it’s not your fault. It sounds like the heater isn’t working properly and needs to be repaired or replaced. This “hack” was a workaround, but it shouldn’t be your responsibility to follow it, especially since it could increase your heating costs unnecessarily. I would honestly play dumb and just say that the heater isn’t working properly anymore. Good luck.

  5. I’d assume that all the radiators have thermostatic heads on them – if they all close when the boiler is operating, the pump is likely to be damaged as it’s trying to pump water that has nowehere to go.

    However, after a quick Google search, the E10 code on Brotje boilers means ‘low water pressure’.

  6. >Um die Anlage zurückzustellen, muss die Taste R mindestens 2
    Sekunden lang gedrückt werden.

    I guess it’s the third button from left. It’s telling that it’s already so worn.

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