where can the boiler go? And what kind?

derek19_2

I am going to be moving into a house that has a warm air heating system that has been condemmed by BG for lack of ventilation.

The previous owner was in a home for 2 years so house was empty then she died and the heirs are selling the house.
The house has been empty for 2 years and up until then the ventilation was adequate. Now it isn't.

The unit is in the middle of a detached bungalow with the vent coming out of the roof ridge and is over 20 years old.

I have decided to replace the warm air heating with a boiler and radiators and have been told that the boiler has to be on an outside wall in the kitchen.

This would mean that the vent would be on the front of the house which I don't really want. The gas meter is at the front but is hidden by a bush.

Can the boiler not be put in the middle of the house using the existing space where the warm air unit was and using the existing flue to the roof.

Or is this why it is no longer safe?

Also I have never had a combi boiler, always stored hot water tank, so would I be better sticking to what I know or should I get a combi?

I have not actually had anyone to quote for new heating myself, this is what the sellers have had quoted, but I will be looking for quotes myself.

What would be the best boiler to get as well?

I have £5000 or thereabouts to get this done.

Owain_Moneysaver

derek19 wrote: »

I have decided to replace the warm air heating with a boiler and radiators and have been told that the boiler has to be on an outside wall in the kitchen. ... Can the boiler not be put in the middle of the house using the existing space where the warm air unit was and using the existing flue to the roof.

Get a quote from a heating engineer with half a clue.

A boiler with a fanned flue can go anywhere (subject to the manufacturer's instructions). Keston have boilers that can use 2" waste pipe for flue eg. ) and it is perfectly possible to put it in the centre of the house and flue upwards to a roof terminal. Note a new boiler will be a condensing type so you will need a condensate drain pipe to a mains drainage or a soakway outside.

If you use a pressurised CH system you can put it in the loft if you want.

Combi vs stored hot water - what is your mains pressure and flow like, if it's poor then a combi or mains pressure hot water ('megaflo' although there are other makes) will not be satisfactory. How many bathrooms / showers - combis are okay for showers but not so good for filling baths.

If you have pressurised hot water (megaflo) then that can go in the loft too.

Owain_Moneysaver

You can still get warm air central heating from Johnson and Starley if you wanted to keep warm air and just replace the 'boiler'

Poosmate

If you get an Air source Heat Pump fitted you should qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive payments which are supposed to be coming in next year (rather like the Feed In Tariff for solar power). I believe the RHI payments are being discussed now, I'm sure I read somewhere that there would be an anouncement about them this month.

I think it was the Energy Saving Trust website. Sorry, sometimes I read too much! lol

Poo

derek19_2

Get a quote from a heating engineer with half a clue

I haven't had a quote yet, it is the sellers who got a quote so that they could sell the house with condemned heating. This is what they told me.

I will be getting my own quotes. I was told, again by the seller, that it would be better to put in radiators. I think I will contact Johnson and Starley as well.

So, back to my original Q, what manufacturer, if I go for radiators, is the best?

Owain_Moneysaver

They obviously depend on the model and the quality of fitting, but generally Keston, Vaillant, Vookera and Worcester-Bosch have a good rep.

derek19_2

Keston, Vaillant, Vookera and Worcester-Bosch have a good rep.

So any to avoid?

gas4you

I have to disagree with Keston. Biggest leaking rust buckets out there.