Heating System - Do We Need This

Mazzawa

Hey everyone,

Will try and make this as uncomplicated as possible! We have recently moved into a large victorian house with an old heating system to match. Having had a faulty radiator repaired we were shown at the time that the system is all sludged up and the boiler is older than me (!). We would like to get the boiler changed before the winter to save on our ridiculous gas bills. So here goes:

Boiler is very old
System is blocked up and radiators don't heat properly, boiler doesnt fire continuously because of this
Some radiators are of 15mm pipes, those upstairs are just 8mm (looks like system has been installed in two lots).
We want to relocate the boiler

The plumber I had out in the first instance for the dodgy radiator is local and was arranged by the previous owner. He said the system needed power flushed when a new boiler is installed (said we'd have to arrange that ourselves), and when we come to redecorate rooms to replace the radiators as we go inc any pipework that is too small.

Subsequently had a plumber round who has done work for a family member in the past, who said the whole thing needs replaced including all radiators. I can see his point, the system is knackered and I would assume the radiators corroded, but at over £7k for the job we just cannot afford it. However, we do not want to do half the job to have to do it again properly in the future.

So do we need: A new boiler only OR a completely new system?

We are also adding on a further 3 radiators to part of the house that isn't heated (where all the cold pipes are :eek: ) but I don't think that is of significance.

Opinions welcome

M

tanith

Well both plumbers have said you definately need a new boiler and both have said that your radiators need replacing so I think it speaks for itself really.. I'm sure they'll be experts along shortly they may have a different view but if it were me I'd not want to do half a job to be honest.. its a lot of money maybe you could extend your mortgage slightly..

cbrpaul

i dont mean to appear rude , but you say you "bought" a large victorian house , these are not cheap surely ?

Before you bought it , would you have known the heating was old ? , and should you have really factored in the costs of a new system,

If i got the facts wrong i apologise

I would, as said above , replace the whole system for new one, dont mess around wtih £100,s on power flushes etc,,,

it really is not worth fitting a new engine to a very very old car so to speak !!

Mazzawa

Yes we bought the house, based on the fact that the boiler was fully functioning along with the associated heating. It was only on further inspection that we discovered that that was not the case and hence had not budgeted for a complete replacement along with the mile long list of other issues we have discovered, things a survey would not pick up either. Nothing has been done to the house during the last decade the previous owners lived here, not even a lick of paint. Not smart enough to service a boiler but smart enough to cover things with pictures, scented candles etc...

And depends where you buy! Some are dirt cheap, some are extortionately expensive!

cbrpaul wrote: »

i dont mean to appear rude , but you say you "bought" a large victorian house , these are not cheap surely ?

Before you bought it , would you have known the heating was old ? , and should you have really factored in the costs of a new system,

If i got the facts wrong i apologise

I would, as said above , replace the whole system for new one, dont mess around wtih £100,s on power flushes etc,,,

it really is not worth fitting a new engine to a very very old car so to speak !!

Cardew

If you get a new boiler and do not have a power flush, it will probably invalidate the guarantee on the boiler.

As for post #2 I think it would be a false economy to get a new boiler, and relocate it, without replacing the system.

Pincher

Mazzawa wrote: »

Having had a faulty radiator repaired we were shown at the time that the system is all sludged up and the boiler is older than me (!). We would like to get the boiler changed before the winter to save on our ridiculous gas bills. So here goes:

Boiler is very old
System is blocked up and radiators don't heat properly, boiler doesnt fire continuously because of this

Some radiators are of 15mm pipes, those upstairs are just 8mm (looks like system has been installed in two lots).
We want to relocate the boiler

Old boilers have wide bores in the heat exchanger, which is more tolerant of the sludge.

Drain the system.

Install a Fernox TF1 filter on the return pipe to the boiler.

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/fernox-tf1-filter---f1---f3-500ml-pack/

Refill with water and F3 Cleaner. Keep cleaning the TF1 filter. Do this for maybe a week, or until the sludge is reducing. Try closing all but one radiator, to concentrate the flushing effect.

Identify the really bad radiators (won't heat up). Drain the system, take the bad radiators to the back garden, and flush them with the garden hose.

If you are lucky, this will clear enough radiators to get you through this winter.

C_Mababejive

If you fit a nice new boiler to a grotty system,it will be dead in six months and you will have no warranty.

Mazzawa

Thanks everyone, still thinking it all over and I agree with all that have said that a new boiler on an old dirty system isn't a good use of money! Will go do some sums and see what we come up with!

Cardew

If you want to 'buy some time' until you can afford the full installation(i.e. new boiler, pipes and radiators) you can possibly improve the performance of your current system by a DIY flushing of individual radiators. Remove one at a time, take to garden, turn upside down and and run water from a hosepipe through radiator.

However, to repeat, only a stop-gap method that might get you through the winter and you can get new boiler next year.