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Central Heating

Unvented Hot water system

Anonymous user 13/03/2024 - 2.32 PM

I have a large 4 bedroom semi-detached with at least 15 radiators, underfloor heating in the kitchen diner, a cloakroom sink & toilet, a family bathroom with shower, a loft conversion with a fifth bedroom and a loft bathroom with shower, sink and toilet. I also want a water softener. The radiators are all brand new, the pipes are all brand new (22mm), the mains supply has been replaced and is larger bore. My builder suggested having two Combi boilers in the house one exclusive for the loft and loft bathroom, the other for the rest of the house. However after my own research I am looking into an unvented hot water system, I have a few questions. 1. What is the best System boiler option for the system, (e.g. brand..Worcester,Valiant, what output 37kw?) (this is to be fitted in the kitchen). 2. Where should the actual cylinder go (can it go below the boiler or shall I stick it in the loft), how much space does it take, can it be fitted outside? 3. How much can I expect to pay for a boiler and cylinder. 4. Will the water softener affect the pressure? Many thanks. Wow! Thanks for the answers massive help, I put it to my builde and he was a bit shocked by my knowledge. To be honest he does mean well but I told him I don't want to maintain 2 combi boilers (especially not the cheap ones he was suggesting). The best location I can place the unvented cylinder is outside and build a special little hut for it.

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

1 Answer

Boiler Homecare

Rating: 5 out of 5
Honiton
So many questions but here we go: 1. To accommodate your domestic hot water demands you do indeed need a suitably sized unvented cylinder (Google Megaflo) 2. Ideally boiler should be positioned near your unvented cylinder, this makes installation so much easier for the installer. 3. As for the choice of boiler and the KW rating I would suggest either a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30CDi Classic Regular (30KW) with external heating controls and equipment or a Valiant equivalent, forget your builders advise on the combi's even though he may of meant well. 4. Under no circumstances if you do choose to go down the unlikely route of combi boilers must the water softener directly feed/supply cold water to this type of boiler as it will destroy the heat exchanger, as the salts used in water softener's have a damaging effect. 5. Expect to pay around £1,300 for a good branded boiler inc heating controls and £750 for a 120Ltr unvented indirect cylinder only. 6. As for pressure loss using a water softer this will be very slight 7. To obtain a more accurate estimate of cost contact Gas Safe engineer(s) they will be more then happy to advise on boiler/unvented cylinder location and they will carry out a heat loss calculation to establish correct size of boiler too.
Answered4 March 2013
9