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Original poster

Prepay boiler ran out of gas, now won't work even though topped up

50 replies

user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 13:34

The make is Vaillant.

Mansplainer was here last week and I vaguely remember him telling me to something or other if this happened, but he didn't fucking tell me it would happen!

Anyone know what to do? I've tried resetting boiler and holding red button on meter for a minute?

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:25

Mumsnet to the rescue again. Yeah for MN.

OP posts:
Theresnonamesleft · 10/06/2017 14:25

If you use say £6 of emergency when you top up you have to pay £7. Otherwise it won't work.
Usually when you put your card in when you've run out the screen prompts you to push a button - usually the top one. This you have to hold until you hear the click. Try take the card out and reinsert and hold the top button.

Then on your actual boiler just under the LCD there's a little reset thing. Might just look like a hole press this until the message stops flashing.

But if ou haven't put an extra quid on it won't work.

SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:27

But you'd used your energy and now have that available again (?). How much emergency credit do you get on it?

Is there a risk you're still paying someone else's debt innit?

SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:27

On it. Not "innit". Confused

LedaP · 10/06/2017 14:28

How long has it been since you used your own credit. As in not emergency credit and how long has it been off?

Theresnonamesleft · 10/06/2017 14:29

Crosss post.

If you used emergency credit you paid that back plus an extra fee. It's crap really as you don't pay the fee with electric. If the meter was installed for arrears they take from each top up.

Or you pressed the button which diverts some of the cash. If you haven't got a manual see if you can google one. You can see the rate you are paying. If in debt how much plus more.

Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:32

When I moved in about a week ago I topped up by 20, but it only showed 10. Now again, I've topped up by 20 and it's showing 9.74. I hadn't looked at it to see if it was going into debit.

OP posts:
SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:33

God I don't miss those things. They ARE an almighty faff. I remember trudging back and forth to the shop in the snow one year during a really cold snap. Putting more and more money on. They're often in really silly places too. I used to have to yank our washing machine out and dangle over the back of it into the corner.

I don't know how the smart meter thing for prepayment is coming along but it might be worth checking regularly and requesting one as soon as they're available.

Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:35

YY for it being in a cunt of a place. It's in the cupboard under the sink at the far right hand wall. I have to crawl into press to see the bastard.

OP posts:
SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:35

When you first run out you can press a button to get the "emergency credit". So you'd know if you'd done it. Then it takes that money back first when you top it up.

But if you've only been there a week it's possible it's set to claw back a debt belonging to someone else. If you scroll through the display there should be a bit where it tells you about debt.

LedaP · 10/06/2017 14:35

Have you called them and put your name on the account?

If so they shoukd have checked for debt. Either previous occupiers debt or standing charge that has built up between the previous people moving out and you moving in.

You are only responsible for standing charge while you live there.

If you arent on the account. Ring them spesk to the homemive department and tell them mobey is disappearing. They will book an appointment to have the meter rest if its not your debt.

LedaP · 10/06/2017 14:36

Sorry for typos

Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:37

I'm on the account. Will ring Monday to check for debt.

OP posts:
SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:38

Yeah, it's not easy to sit there scrolling through and reading, while you're crammed in at the back of a cupboard.

SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:38

Glad you got it going anyway Smile

Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:38

I don't know how to scroll through the display serf?

OP posts:
SerfTerf · 10/06/2017 14:40

You press one of the buttons over and over and it flicks through.I couldn't tell you which button (it's been a while since I did battle with one) but there are only two or three to choose from I think.

LedaP · 10/06/2017 14:41

Arent they open today?

A lot of suppliers are and they need you to be at the meter and will talk you through the screens.

As you are on the account just speak to the general enquires pay as you go line. They can get the meter reset.

Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:43

I'll ring the fuckers on Monday and see what's going on with it.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1496484020 · 10/06/2017 14:43

They were open until 2pm (I tried at 2.17)

OP posts:
LedaP · 10/06/2017 15:16

Who is the supplier?

Dont ring them with that attitude. Its nit the person on the end of the phones fault.

Mondayparty · 25/11/2025 04:18

Exclusive heater run out of gas and after topping up, the heating is still not working and the gas cooker is working.

Mondayparty · 25/11/2025 04:20

Exclusive heater system not working after topping up but the cooker is working.

housethatbuiltme · 25/11/2025 10:00

You have to reset the meter by pressing something. I have no idea how my DH does it (its in a really awkward place) but its really annoying. Luckily the electric never needs resetting but the boiler does several times a week. Its really annoying

housethatbuiltme · 25/11/2025 10:00

Ah, got by an old post

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