Hi everyone
I need some advice on the problem I am facing with my ducted gas heating. I have a Brivis SP421 ducted heating with network controller NC-6 which was installed in Aug 2016. It is mounted in the roof. Hasn’t been serviced since it was installed. Unit still under warranty.
Yesterday morning when I switched on the heating, it didn’t start. There was a message on the NC saying Heater Fault H01 Code 68, call Brivis for assistance. I checked the heater manual to look for error code but it didn’t have this error code. It said if the error code is not on the manual then call Brivis for assistance.
A quick look up on the internet didnt really help initially.
Then I rang Brivis service and repair centre and told them what my problem was. They said they will need to send out a technician to have a look and repair if required. The charges are $285 for 1st 60mins and then $35 for every 15mins after, plus parts if required. This amount is payable if the fault is not covered by the warranty.
Anyways, later in the evening I looked up further on the internet on the error code and the reset options. Somehow I was able to reset the error message that was showing on the network controller. And lucky enough after the reset the heater started.
It has been running ok since the reset of the code but I do hear some sort of noise or wired vibration when the fan is running, which now is concerning me (maybe this has been there for some time).
I read on the heater manual that it is recommended to service the unit every 2 years.
Does any body know if these unit can be a DIY serviced. I read its usually the filters and vents that needs to be replaced or cleaned. I know I cant do CO testing myself which the technician will be doing.
Does anyone had any experience on this situation? Or what do you usually do for service of your ducted heater.
If not DIY, do I go with the Brivis authorised service which I think is way too expensive to get it done every 2 years or should I just get quotes for local gas heater tradies? I am in South East Melbourne region.
My Brivis gas ducted heating started playing up 6 years after install. The unit is on whenever it is needed. To be honest there is nothing much in there to service. I looked at my fans the fins have very thin layer of dust on it. The filter works very well. All you need to do is a yearly intake filter clean with a vacuum(if you are too cheap to buy new filter material). If it's activated charcoal then you change it. This is very cheap under $18 item, makes your house odorless, it's like a lung for your house.
Now come the hard part is the flame sensor. It gets sooted up and the sensor need cleaning every few years, 6 for me. I use a very fine 2000 grit sand paper and it's back in operation for 3 years now. Please be very careful during disassembly, there is a very fragile and expensive hot surface ignitor(HSI) mounted near the flame sensor. If you break it, it will cost under $250 to replace depending on your model. The HSI can get old too, it needs to be changed when it fails to fireup quickly.
For CO2 test, hope on to ebay and buy one within your budget. Take a reading outdoors, then another indoor with ducting off. Then turn on heat in one of your small room and take some reading after a few hours.
Your unit definitely doesn't sound right, perhaps it's time to get some professional help.