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Central Heating

Using existing cylinder with immersion for woodburner with backboiler and wet underfloor heating

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.00 PM

Hi all, I'm looking to improve the heating system in our house and would like to use a woodburner with backboiler and underfloor heating (wet). Is it possible to utilise a standard open vented hot water cylinder with electric immersion to firstly store the hot water from the backboiler and secondly distribute it to the underfloor heating at the correct temperature? As far as I understand the alternative is an expensive heat accumulator / combination tank which can be used with multiple heat sources... They look a little pricey so would be keen to use our existing tank if possible. We are hoping to use Thermotube underfloor heating as the build up is thin. We would look to install the system with a qualified heating professional, we are just keen to understand what is possible. Many thanks, Lawrence

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1 Answer

Anonymous user

Hi Lawrence, It's certainly possible to use your back boiler to heat your water/UFH system. It will take a bit of fancy pipework and a few zone valves, but other than that it's do-able. Make sure it's all vented properly though, as the wood burner will not regulate the heat in the back boiler as well as a gas boiler would. I've done a very similar thing in my own house, but I've manufactured the heat exchanger (back boiler in your case) myself, as there wasn't one commercially available. It works perfectly and the gas boiler is rarely fired up, proving the wood burner is doing the trick! Best of luck with it and feel free to give us a call if there's anything you're stuck with. Regards, Dave - DrainMedic

Answered12 January 2015