Thanks for the answers.
I accept the possibility of latent water heat - however ;-)
No hot water of any kind has been requested for around 6 hours.
The upper casing (metal and closer to the water) is cold.
The lower casing (plastic [poorer conductor] and further away from the water) is warm.
I'm no expert - but the amount of heat I feel - is more than is generated by other electrical items (i.e. PC).
If it is the electronics (granted - it is always switched on and running checks at the very least) then I feel it is too hot and something is amiss there.
Do you still think I'm worrying over nothing?
I'll see if a thermometer can give a temperature.
It would be nice if anyone with the same boiler could tell me how their control panel feels. Even maybe the temperature of it.
Again - many thanks for both responses.
Wonderer (originator of question).
July 2009