What's this ugly box in my kitchen?

[ShortLass]

Can anyone tell me what this ugly box is in my kitchen? Some bright spark decided it would be an attractive accessory to my wall. I especially love the way it's not quite straight and that they've added a beautiful yellow warning sticker decal .

Obviously, it's some sort of electrical box that's connected to the central heating controller. But it's rather a big box. What's it for?

I'm doing a refurb and hope to be getting rid of it. The controls will be replaced with a Honeywell Evohome controller. I'll be getting the professionals in, but would love to know more in the meantime.

[Testificateman]

WTF!!! Mickey mouse has fitted your boiler. You shouldn't have cables going across like that.
It looks like it's a shite fuse spur for your boiler.

[ShortLass]

I'm pleased to say that the aforementioned Mickey Mouse stuck up that box before I owned the property, so more than ten years ago. I've had the boiler serviced every year since and no one has mentioned it.

Isn't the fuse in the white switched panel next to it? Why does it need the blue box?

[ShortLass]

I meant to add that the boiler is almost certainly the original one put in when the house was built, 1993. I suspect the box and heating controller is a later addition.

[Jinglebells99]

That boiler looks like my boiler! I'm getting mine replaced tomorrow. Sadly, can't get the parts for it anymore ☹ . It broke down a couple of times over Christmas but since we arranged to replace it, it's been working beautifully.

[ShortLass]

Sorry to hear that, Jingle.

I have spoken to my heating engineer about the boiler and he says "it's one of the best boilers in the world" and has told me not to replace this well-built, reliable boiler with a new one which will break down.

[SparkleShinyGlitter]

Mickey Mouse Job and god its ugly! I couldn't look at that in my kitchen every day just no..... it's got to go OP

[PigletJohn]

It looks to me like a wiring centre. They are more often light grey. You could get a gasman to move it if you want, they are usually positioned close to the boiler.

You could also have the cables chased into the wall, if you rip the tiles off.

If I wanted to hide one, I would probably have it put under the boiler, where the pipes are, and put an easily-removed panel over it, maybe matching the decoration on the wall.

If you have it moved, get a gasman to do it, who understands what the various wires do, and the relevance of the colours.

Some, but not all, electricians do a lot of CH wiring.

[321zerobaby]

@ShortLass, is it a Potterton? A British Gas engineer once said something similar about my boiler, but that was a few years ago now.

[ShortLass]

Piglet, thanks for your expert opinion, as always . Makes a lot of sense.

This end of the kitchen will actually be petitioned off to become a utility room. The tiles are coming off, there will new cupboards etc. I had thought I wouldn't bother boxing out the boiler, but if I moved this wiring box underneath, I could put it in the same boxed cupboard, in theory.

I'm really glad I asked because before the refurbishment starts, I have to remove some gas pipes which are on a wall being demolished, so I can potentially get the gasman to do this at the same time. Perhaps I could ask him ahead of time and discuss where the wires could go (and what they do!)

zerobaby, someone told me recently what make of boiler it was and I think you are correct that it is a Potterton. They don't make 'em like they used to, apparently.

[PigletJohn]

is it a Potterton Profile?

[ShortLass]

I don't know, PJ. I'll let you know.

[321zerobaby]

Just found my boiler booklet, mine is a Potterton Profile. Do you rate them @PigletJohn?
Its 25 years old, still going strong but wonder if I am kidding myself and should be looking to invest in a new one.

[PigletJohn]

Very good boiler. Relatively simple and will probably still be going longer than a replacement. Cost of change will not be repaid by efficiency improvements.

If you want to treat it, buy it a system filter and a chemical clean. This will remove sediment and probably make it quieter and more efficient, also reduce risk of sludge blockages in future. If you are in a hard water area add X200 after the clean. This is much cheaper than a powerflush. Do it in summer. I expect it has a small tank in the loft and is not sealed and pressurised. This means it is more likely to be dirty, but has less to go wrong.

[PigletJohn]

P.s.

British Gas often find parts "unobtainable" for older boilers, so they have to sell you a new one at great expense. Opinions differ on why that might be.

[Endlesslllove]

Sorry to hijack, but we have a potterton too (possibly profile, will have to check). We're about to replace it but I'm a bit worried now! The reasons for replacing it are that we're having the bathroom redone and the plumber said that in order to get a better shower we'd need a combi boiler, is this right @pigletjohn? Currently have an electric shower with terrible pressure but could have a bar shower with a combi boiler apparently. Sorry to detail and thanks for any thoughts!

[PigletJohn]

A combi boiler will probably be adequate if you only have one bath or shower room. You need good incoming water flow, which the salesman should have checked before recommending it. When you fill a bucket at the sink or garden COLD tap, how many litres per minute do you get?

If you have good flow, an unvented cylinder can be better than a combi, especially if you are fond of baths or have two bathrooms. And would not necessitate replacing the boiler.

BTW, a round shower mixer is likely to be better and last longer than a bar mixer, even if they are from the same maker. I don't know why. Bars are also cheaper. I am especially fond of the Aqualisa round shower mixers.

[Endlesslllove]

Thanks so much @pigletjohn, this is really helpful. Sorry to derail OP!
Will look into unvented cylinders I think. We have one bathroom plus a downstairs shower room (currently with electric shower). Our children are babies now, but as they get bigger we may end up using two showers at the same time etc

[PigletJohn]

it might be necessary to run a new waterpipe out to the pavement, especially if you have an older house, to get the best performance. But the same applies to a combi, if flow is poor.

[321zerobaby]

Thank you @PigletJohn, great advice as always, and just what I wanted to hear.
Great thread op, hope you haven't minded us joining in!

[ShortLass]

I didn't mind at all, zerobaby. My question was answe red and I found out stuff about boilers.

I've checked my boiler. It is, indeed, a Potterton. The model is PrimaF