Popular Questions
- How do I claim money through the Boiler Scrappage Scheme?
- Are Warm Air systems allowed by new regulations?
- I have a boiler central heating system in which the central heating and hot water feed off one tank in the roof . I have been advised by a plummer that I need to replace the boiler for a combi system, as the system I have is illegal. Can you confirm
- I have a modern high efficiency condensing boiler which developed a fault during the recent very cold weather caused by the condensate drain freezing. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this happening again?
Heating Advice
For a more efficient system should I I change pipework?
Provided the existing microbore pipe work and radiators are in good condition and the system is cleaned and flushed according to boiler manufacturer’s instructions during installation, there should be no need to replace either.
It may be beneficial, in fuel saving terms, to install larger radiators in order to allow the return CH water to be at a lower temperature in order to get maximum efficiency from the boiler, but this is not essential (e.g. if it would be disruptive and cause problems with decoration etc). Improved CH controls are also recommended. It is difficult to give a “payback time” for the cost of the new radiators against fuel saving. Radiator replacement could always be done in stages as each room is redecorated, once the boiler is installed.
System efficiency is also improved by installing TRVs (to allow individual rooms – e.g. bedrooms – to be maintained at lower temperatures that the main heated areas which are controlled by the room stat). TRVs are not too expensive and can easily be installed while the system is “down”. They are available for microbore pipe.