Hi - we’re buying a property in France and awaiting the VDC to sign which I assume might tell me if the electrics/boilers actually work? The previous owner bought the property 3 years ago but has not lived in it and there is currently no electricity supply to the apartment.
Hoping someone might be able to age this boiler photo for me - looks to be a Riello Insieme?
Thanks in advance!
Is there a product model number on it somewhere, or a serial number?
With one of those you would probably be able to look it up on the manufacturer’s website and determine its approximate age from that.
Sadly we didn’t inspect it very closely on our last viewing so I only have photos of the front. It doesn’t look too ancient so hoping it might work after a service…
I don’t know about the boiler except agree with @ChrisMann .
You need to have seen all the diagnostics before you sign the CdV. It should tell you the state of the electric system, and if unsure about the boiler ask the agent (or seller) to get it serviced. I think there is a legal obligation to get them done annually.
Can you ask the owner or the agent to pop the front open and send you a photo of the manufacturer’s ID plate or label?
yes that’s a good idea - the property is vacant so i might see if the agent can swing buy and take a photo - thanks!
Thanks - yes I’ll be combing through the CDV once it comes through - I’ve seen the diagnostics report already and there is a quote in place for a rewire and electric radiator install - we’re just hoping that the electrics and boiler work on purchase so we can pace ourselves in terms of being able to use it and get works done as and when. The current owner appears to be a foreign buyer who bought it and never used it and has been vague when we’ve asked questions…his reply was “I know that the electrics are obsolete, and don’t comply to the current norms. But I suppose they are functioning; having never used them myself, I can’t tell for sure. Same goes for the oil heating system and the boiler”. My suspision is that he must have had the diagnostics done on his purchase but I guess we’ll see when the CDV comes through in the coming weeks…
I believe you are no longer allowed to install a new oil-fired boiler in France (see this thread):
Hi yes thanks - if it’s not working we’ll just install the electric heaters as per the quote we have but would prefer not to have to as will also be messy to remove the existing pipwork etc.!
There’s not much to go wrong with oil boilers - and they’re generally easy to maintain. Local plumber and get it serviced - be in the 100 euro region + which will tell you if it works.
You might be better off to look at replacing the oil boiler with a heat pump that can then use the existing radiators & pipework. It will certainly be cheaper than paying for a bunch of electric heaters that will cost a lot to run, compared to a heat pump.
Clearly, unless you have the relevant knowledge then you would need to consult a competent person about the whole idea before taking the plunge.