New central heating/ old pipes??

Terry98

Zandoni wrote: »

That furring you describe is probably caused by being in a very hard water area, I doubt you would have that sort of problem in your heating pipe work.

Yes we are in a hard water area but if the copper pipes furred up that badly near the old immersion why wouldn't they in the heating pipe work?

Zandoni

Terry98 wrote: »

Yes we are in a hard water area but if the copper pipes furred up that badly near the old immersion why wouldn't they in the heating pipe work?

I believe it's because the water in your heating system is enclosed and not being constantly oxygenated. It should also have an inhibitor which helps fight corrosion etc.

I must stress I'm not a plumber, so others may be able to explain it better.

Terry98

Zandoni wrote: »

I believe it's because the water in your heating system is enclosed and not being constantly oxygenated. It should also have an inhibitor which helps fight corrosion etc.

I must stress I'm not a plumber, so others may be able to explain it better.

Thanks for that. We got four quotes for our new boiler and not one of them said anything about the efficiency of the pipes and radiators.

I found this.......

'Corrosion deposits in an older central heating system can cause a substantial reduction in the effectiveness of the radiators, and the system as a whole – up to a 15 per cent reduction. The build-up of scale in heating circuits and on boiler components can cause a reduction in efficiency too. Using an effective chemical inhibitor can decrease the corrosion rate and prevent the build-up of sludge and scale – preventing system deterioration and helping to maintain efficiency. Typically, it can increase boiler efficiency by approximately 3 per cent.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/improving-my-home/heating-and-hot-water

I knew about inhibitors and always thought everything would be sorted it with a good flush.........when I saw that pipe I wasn't so sure!

Thinking about it further, if the copper pipes are furred up it might use a bit more energy to pump the hot water round the system but providing your radiators are clean it will not be much of a problem. I am already thinking about replacing a few radiators!

Mankysteve

Rents had a combi installed used all existing rad pipe work and rads. Only problem was a radiator got a pin hole stright away other than that it was fine.

It depends if you want you want to pay for all the old copper pipe work to strip out and replaced. Personal I wouldn't bother but as other have said I'm no plumber l.

agoodplumber

[FONT=&quot]It's a cost thing really, replace for great money or power flush for cheap money. Some of the benefits of having your system flushed are: A more efficient central heating system, up to 25% saving on your energy bills, warmer radiators, faster heat up time, A quieter central heating system[/FONT]