Which heating system for renovation

3 years ago

Hi we live in a 1950's detached house with a conventional boiler system with the two tanks in the attic, hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard and boiler in the garage. We have never had any problems with it in 10 year lived here but about to do two storey extension which at the end will leave us with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Only one of the bathrooms will have a bath and the three showers will all be electric fed from mains cold water (we are adding one in renovation 2 already exist). There will be 14 radiators and two zones of underfloor heating.

The two gas people round so far (firm we have used in past and the builders gas contractor) both started off saying going for system boiler with unvented tank and then in the end settled on a 35/40kw combi boiler. I have read quite a bit on the difference between the 3 systems (conventional, system, combi) but was after some real world experiences. We have 2 young children and intend on staying house a long time so whilst money is always a consideration I am really after doing the best thing for the house.

A lot of people I know seem to settle on system boiler but seems you can still run out of hot water and appreciate pressured for hot water but the pressuring in itself could find leaks in what is likely to be very old plumbing so failing to see the advantages but seems what everyone is doing. Given we already have the tanks in attic then can't see the advantages of system over conventional other than more moving parts to go wrong.

When I go on some of the manufacturer websites they won't even recommend a combi boiler for size of house although guess not taking into account the bathrooms have electric showers.

Gas men have said with 40kw combi then could easily run couple of hot taps no issues and the electric showers take up the slack and 14 radiators no issues. My experience of combis is that as they work a bit harder more prone to failure but seems things have moved on and that many come with 10 year guarantees.

Anyone been in similar situation and what would people recommend, any help greatly appreciated.

Lawrence

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Comments (4)

Ricky Watkins
3 years ago
Hi Lawrence
What reason for you choosing all Electric showers? I've always had a back-up shower just incase no gas/electric. Presume you'd need a large tank in loft too feed everything so you don't lose pressure if 2 people showering for instance I'd go for system boiler. See if you qualify for a government grant too worth a 5 minute check.
Lawrence Meakins
Original Author
3 years ago
Guess so a shower doesn't chew through all the hot water in either conventional or system cylinder/tank - why would you go for a system boiler ?
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3 years ago
I'd opt for unvented, you don't have the need for a large tank as the hot water is mains fed so its better than a conventional system, you don't usually have the old feed and expansion small tank in the attic anymore as the system is slightly pressurized in most systems now. Even with electric showers, i'd have the main bathroom fitted with a decent non-electric shower and with any kids showers i'd have the showers with thermostatic valves for safety.

The downside to a combi as it only raises the water temperature verses flow so the colder the water is ie in winter, the slower/less pressure you can run the water, which is also one of the downsides to electric showers. There are a few combi's that have a small hot water cylinder in built but with 4 bathrooms to feed it would soon be used up.

If you're worried about your existing pipework not being able to withstand any pressure then i'd get it checked now before any work is done instead of waiting for signs of water damage when all the work has been carried out.
Lawrence Meakins
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for reply, I am leaning towards system boiler with unvented tank and put mixer shower in new third bathroom (ensuite) but is strange there is no clear winner as you either have a tank where could potentially run out of water or a combi where you have to overspec for the water meaning less efficient for the heating. See there are some more complicated boiler options to address these issue but more complexity in my experience normally means less reliable over the long run. When have a shower (not everyday) then tend to like a long shower so have the nagging doubt about the tank option.

Which heating system for renovation

Comments (4)

Ricky Watkins

Lawrence Meakins
Original Author

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Which heating system for renovation

Comments (4)

Ricky Watkins

Lawrence MeakinsOriginal Author

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EXPLORE HOUZZ

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Lawrence Meakins
Original Author

Lawrence Meakins
Original Author