Are Plumbers Still Installing Open Vent Systems?

CareerChangeChancer · 28 Feb 2011

Have been asked by a customer to install a conventional open vented pumped system with heat only boiler. It's to replace a 2 year old Worcester combi.

He has recently bought the property, and is insistant that he wants the same system as his previous house.

Which got me wondering, is this an unusual request these days? Or is it still common for plumbers to install vented systems from scratch?

mickyg · 28 Feb 2011

very unusual to do it from scratch these days. Would go with a sealed system normally, nothing wrong with vented hot water if the water pressure is poor

Weedrip · 28 Feb 2011

Not unusual in our neck of the woods even today, in spite of what is claimed for combi / sealed systems.

Open vented may not be the pucker up to date system type but it works is predictable and reliable in its performance, provided its designed and installed correctly.

I guess your prospective customer knows best.

i'll get my coat.....

Nige F · 28 Feb 2011

Weedrip said:
Not unusual in our neck of the woods pucker up .....

give us a kiss

or do you mean Pukka - as in Mockney , a la J. Oliver.

Richard C · 28 Feb 2011

I may be (& probably will be) slatted/corrected

but from what I can gather from an enlightened user’s viewpoint is that vented storage systems are predictable, less hassle, more easily & cheaply maintained & can be easily upgraded without the expense of Combi’s & pressurised systems which often drastically fail to live up to the expectations of a family household!

Maybe that’s why your customer wants to ditch his Combi

transam · 28 Feb 2011

Richard C said:
I may be (& probably will be) slatted/corrected but from what I can gather from an enlightened user’s viewpoint is that vented storage systems are predictable, less hassle, more easily & cheaply maintained & can be easily upgraded without the expense of Combi’s & pressurised systems which often drastically fail to live up to the expectations of a family household!

Maybe that’s why your customer wants to ditch his Combi

There is a certain logic to what u say , some combis / can be installed with out filling loops / preesurizeing ect exp tank & a NRV will do !
Was up at Atmos the other day , installer for there parent company has installed several of there combis on open systems !!

JohnD · 28 Feb 2011

I went for an open-vented Viessmann 100 Compact. I'm old-fashioned that way. Been very happy with it.

Weedrip · 28 Feb 2011

Nige F said:
Weedrip said:

Not unusual in our neck of the woods pucker up .....

Click to expand...

give us a kiss or do you mean Pukka - as in Mockney , a la J. Oliver.

I Stand corrected...

Please don't be offended if i pass on the kiss and have the pie instead.

linkyplumb · 28 Feb 2011

Yeah the last two installs were open vent, due to poor water pressure, customer choice etc etc.

Personally, in your scenario I would, if the water pressure is good enough, convince the customer of the benefits of mains hot water, and install an unvented cylinder, and a system boiler.

HTH

Graham

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Are Plumbers Still Installing Open Vent Systems?

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