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Plumbing

Can a conventional boiler be installed above cold water header tanks

Anonymous user 16/03/2024 - 2.33 PM

We are replacing the conventional potterton netaheat 16-22 boiler (yes its still operating very well after 25 years!) out of the kitchen (ground floor) and replacing it with something like a Viessman Vitodens 200 range because of teh stainless steel heat exchanger warranty. Due to space restrictions we'd like to shift the new boiler into the attic space (with correct flues etc). The query I've got is does the height position of the boiler relative to the height of the water tanks matter? As you can imagine the tanks are best supported on the floor of the attic where they rest on rafters - and moving them higher will be possible but only by approx. a 1.5 m. Either way there would not be much height difference between the boiler in the attic and the tanks (and may be negative if the boiler is installed slightly higher. Do i have a problem keeping to a conventional boiler configuration as I'm planning and if so what are your recommendations for alternatives without going to a full combi solution?) System assumptions: circa 22 to 30KW, 4 bed detached house, 2 bathrooms victorian (so not the best insulated though attic is usable as a room) prefer avoid combi due to water pressure - incoming pipe would need significant disruption to upgrade.

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4 Answers

HandyONeill

Rating: 5 out of 5

St Albans

You would be advised to go for a sealed system rather than F and E expansion. This would fill from mains and so tank heights do not matter. Much more controlled with pressure etc. It's not a combi. Combi for bigger properties would not be my choice. For a sealed system you will need an expansion vessel fitted.

Answered1 August 2020

D & R Property and Plumbing Maintenance

Rating: 4.9 out of 5

New Romney

you will have to go for a sealed system boiler or move your f and e tank to a position above new boiler.

Answered2 August 2020

Anonymous user

A system boiler incorporates a vessel (no need for the F&E tank) but there may be a need (due to size of system) for an additional expansion vessel to be configured close to the boiler on the return pipework thus removing the tank element from your query. On the issue of water pressure you might be able to incorporate a whole house pump (3bar) to boost all hot/cold outlets but wouldn’t really recommend including the toilet feeds in the pipework.

Answered28 August 2020

C H PLUMBING

No reviews yet

Cardiff

Regular or conventional boiler gets the cold water feed from a storage tank (called a feed and expansion tank) which is usually located above the boiler, in the attic. Because the tank is higher than the boiler, the water is fed to the boiler by gravity. This tank not only feeds the boiler, it also acts as an 'expansion' tank. Water expands as it is heated and any excess hot water flows from the central heating system back into the 'feed and expansion' tank. Add on that is the conventional means as the water gets hotter, the molecules expand up,,SO NOT A GOOD IDEA TO DO SO, In my opinion you can keep the new boiler in its place and box it..or don't underestimate the power of 37kw combinations boilers, there is a Dutch boiler call INTERGAS has features in it's setting which is keep the hot water hot all day ,if you need to or check on new combi boiler as some of them well advanced,,,conventional system good, but if you look in the tanks, its full of sludge, however if you would keep it ,just put it in the right place to avoid back flow and other problems, plus invalidate your warranty.. However I would definitely agree with the sealed system, but the cost is too high. good luck

Answered18 August 2025