Hot Vent Heating - replace with Central Heating?

PinkButterfly_2

Hi there

I have been pushing my husband to replace the family home's hot air system with Central Heating. And finally he has agreed so I have started to get quotes. One of the reasons he has agreed is to make the house more saleable as the hot air system is unfamiliar with lots of people...and one of the reasons I hate it so much is due to the water - we don't have instant access to hot water, always takes 20/30 mins or longer. And even the hot shower can turn cold very easily. Also I miss not warming up my clothes in the winter before wearing them :-)

Also since I was being unsuccessful in my bid for central heating, I was pushing for redecoration as the paper around all the vents were peeling. So now OH is saying we may as well see the cost for central heating and redecoration together.

However, our house is not big so I know we would lose space with radiators.

Our first quote has been for £4.5k to include the following (4 bedroom house, with through lounge, bathroom and study in Surrey area)


"Quotation for Installation of central heating.

1. Removal of old hot air system.

2. Install new combi boiler Glow-Worm 10005484 White Flexicom 30CX 30Kw £700 or similar.

3. Install 12 radiators of appropriate size white, single or double (tall designer radiators not included in quotation).

4. Pipes will run from floor for ground floor and first floor radiators. Pipes from wallin Ground floor lounge and kitchen as discussed.

5. All gas connection and connecting of boiler will be done by gas safe engineer.

Removal of all building rubbish included in quotation."

Though now doing more research, is it worth it or should just install a new hot air system - if we keep the hot air system, what can we do to improve the hot water supply? We have five adults and one baby in the house and water is always being used for showers and dishes! I can never have a bath since the water turns cold mid way running it (those swollen legs during pregnancy only saw a salt bath at my mums!).

Any advice greatly appreciation - also on the cost. Is it reasonable?

Also another reason I do want it replacing is that I find the smells run through the vents which prove a bother during winter when the heater is running...yucky! Especially when some people don't share same hygiene habits!

macman

4 bedroom house with a combi-are you sure about that?.How many bath/shower rooms? A combi won't supply both simultaneously.
Is your water pressure and flow rate even suitable for a combi as confirmed by a site inspection by your RGI?
I'd go for a wet CH system every time, but I have no experience of hot air systems.

PinkButterfly_2

Hi.

We know it won't supply both simultaneously but what is the other option. Not a very big four bedroom house, but we have one bathroom and one toilet downstairs. The guy that gave us a quote mentioned the cons but said that combi boiler would be best option.

Mr_Ted

PinkButterfly wrote: »

Hi.

We know it won't supply both simultaneously but what is the other option. Not a very big four bedroom house, but we have one bathroom and one toilet downstairs. The guy that gave us a quote mentioned the cons but said that combi boiler would be best option.

:mad: The advise that seems to be given out regularly about what is and what isn't the best boiler option is starting to get like the mis-selling of PPI in relation to Combi Boilers :mad:

diywhynot

When was your WAU last serviced? Has a RGI qualified in Warm Air heating advised you?

In regard to the quote: Is the pipework in copper? Have the rad sizes/trvs/controls been specified? Gas and mains water supplies checked? If you want a Glow-worm, upgrade to an Ultracom2 either a combi or system boiler with unvented cylinder (Club Energy installer will be able to give you a 5 year manufacturer's parts and labour warranty)....but most importantly get another quote.

HappyMJ

Warm air heating is so much nicer and quicker heat though..Why get rid of it? It never freezes. It's quick to output heat. It is my opinion more efficient as you don't need to let it run 24 hours a day or time it to come on an hour before you arrive home. Simply arrive home turn it on and a few seconds later hot air is coming out of the vents.

With the hot water I'd leave the boost element on 24 hours a day so that you always have some hot water. You need to set the main thermostat higher than the boost element so it doesn't come on unneccesarily. If you set the main thermostat to 60 to 70 and the boost element to 50 then it will only come on if you use up a lot of hot water. The main boiler or immersion will heat the water to 60/70 degrees when cheapest to use.

macman

PinkButterfly wrote: »

Hi.

We know it won't supply both simultaneously but what is the other option. Not a very big four bedroom house, but we have one bathroom and one toilet downstairs. The guy that gave us a quote mentioned the cons but said that combi boiler would be best option.

The other option is of course a conventional boiler.
Best for him or for you? Why the best option? What questions did he ask you about your lifestyle? Did he do a flow or pressure test?