Central Heating - Replace all/part 40 yr old system

briscs

Would I need to or would it be advisable to replace the entire central heating system or is just replacing boiler and upgrading cylinder a possibility? I'm guessing pipes, radiators & cylinder circa 40 yrs old and boiler circa 25 yrs old.

If replacing entire system then comes the question of to Combi or not to Combi?

It's a major investment so want to make sure I'm not throwing good money after bad.

Cheers

briscs

ormus

i would renew the whole system. if the money allows it.
you might leave the pipes to save some money.
you have no choice with the boiler now, it has to a be a condensing combi type by law.

vansboy

Change the lot - pipework will probably be OK, if the radiators are in the same position, I'd think.

The installers will suggest a 'power flush, of the old system & this is going to be £300 ish if it's British Gas/similar big firm.

You'll; be amazed at how much gunge there is inside!!

VB

Keldin

We had our ancient boiler replaced and kept the pipes and radiators as they were. We replaced the cylinder because we changed from a gravity open system to a fully pumped unvented (high pressure) system. We had no problem putting more pressure in the pipes and didn't 'powerflush' the system. I don't think you'll need to replace the radiators or pipes unless you want to replace the radiators with something that looks different or single panel to double etc.

My plumber would have recommended replacing the cyclinder as it would be fairly full of scale by now and they're not that expensive and much better insulated now. Since we were putting in an unvented cyclinder as part of the upgrade that discussion was moot. He also advised against powerflushing. He offered to do it when I dicussed it with him while he was doing the work as he said it's a good money earner but generally thats the only reason people recommend them. We were putting in a rayburn for the boiler and he said that would cope with practically anything floating round in the pipes but that a newer boiler might be less tolerant to junk in the water so you may want to get some advise from the plumbers on this section.
I ran cleaner in the system for a few days and then drained and refilled with the usual anti rust stuff you put in.

K

alanobrien

If you can replace the lot so much the better as you can be sure the system will then be clean and scale free. You may have a problem if you have concrete floors as the pipework may be set into them. In that case repalce everything but the pipework and make sure it is descaled and properly flushed through.

briscs

ormus wrote: »

i would renew the whole system. if the money allows it.
you might leave the pipes to save some money.
you have no choice with the boiler now, it has to a be a condensing combi type by law.

I agree that it has to be a condensing boiler (except in exceptional circumstances) but you still have a choice of combi/system/traditional boiler.

Thanks for your reply