What system do I have?

[ash1212002]

Hi all

Could anyone tell me what type of system I have? Pics attached

The boiler downstairs which looks very old, has two incoming pipes going into it from the top and one pipe underneath the boiler

Upstairs their is a cylinder tank

Looking to replace the boiler if i do will i also need to replace the cylinder?

Do i stick with the current system I have? Or is there a better system available?

4 bedroom house, approx 15 radiators, 1 bath and 1 separate shower

 

[ianmcd]

you have a fully pumped system but not Y plan or S plan, you have a botched mechanical thermostat for the HW, bit of a mess really get some quotes to replace, you need a new boiler a new Cylinder and upgraded controls, you could possibly get away with just replacing the lot with a decent combi but that can only be decided on site

 

[ash1212002]

you have a fully pumped system but not Y plan or S plan, you have a botched mechanical thermostat for the HW, bit of a mess really get some quotes to replace, you need a new boiler a new Cylinder and upgraded controls, you could possibly get away with just replacing the lot with a decent combi but that can only be decided on site

Oh dear, not the news I was looking for

Where is the mechanical thermostat located?

What's can you see wrong with the cylinder?

I'm familiar with combi's,will it take a lot of rework to convert to a combi?

 

[ianmcd]

The valve in your second pic that looks like a Thermostatic radiator valve , you do get TRVs like this for towel radiators, you also get mechanical stats for HW cylinders that have a seperate probe that is attached to the HW cylinder to close the valve, sometimes called a RAVI stat, never seen one like the one you have that is suitable for a HW cyl control but that doesnt mean that you dont get them, would be very surprised though if you did

 

[ash1212002]

The valve in your second pic that looks like a Thermostatic radiator valve , you do get TRVs like this for towel radiators, you also get mechanical stats for HW cylinders that have a seperate probe that is attached to the HW cylinder to close the valve, sometimes called a RAVI stat, never seen one like the one you have that is suitable for a HW cyl control but that doesnt mean that you dont get them, would be very surprised though if you did

Yep it is a trv, is this an old type of cylinder?

Is a lot of rework required to convert to a combi?

If i were to upgrade to a combi, what boiler would you recommend?

 

[ianmcd]

Lots of really good combis on the market, find yourself a decent installer and ask for their recommendations, some are tied to manufacturers for reward points for fitting so many and other reasons, I have my favorite because I have a great relationship with them and should I ever need a warranty call they never let me down , if they dont have an engineer available I can uplift what is needed on their account and they pay me for my time, ask ten installers which boiler they recommend and you will get ten different answers, I never recommend a brand or comment on prices on here, I think a combi is you best bet for your situation, you will free up the space where the HW tank is just now.

 

[jeff the gasman]

The valve in your second pic that looks like a Thermostatic radiator valve , you do get TRVs like this for towel radiators, you also get mechanical stats for HW cylinders that have a seperate probe that is attached to the HW cylinder to close the valve, sometimes called a RAVI stat, never seen one like the one you have that is suitable for a HW cyl control but that doesnt mean that you dont get them, would be very surprised though if you did

They do 2 and 3 port mate.
https://www.directheatingsupplies.co.uk/drayton-tap-thermostat-3-way-with-so-sensor-15mm-07-45-016

 

[ash1212002]

They do 2 and 3 port mate.
https://www.directheatingsupplies.co.uk/drayton-tap-thermostat-3-way-with-so-sensor-15mm-07-45-016

Does that mean what's been fitted to the cylinder is ok?

Not sure whether to replace the complete system for a combi or just replace the boiler and keep the cylinder

 

[jeff the gasman]

Does that mean what's been fitted to the cylinder is ok?

Not sure whether to replace the complete system for a combi or just replace the boiler and keep the cylinder

Doesn’t comply with anything nowadays and wastes a lot of fuel.

 

[JohnD]

Yep it is a trv

it appears to have a what looks like a thin wire coming from it and going to the cylinder. This is the sender. If so, it's a cylinder stat. A Drayton Tapstat. When it gets the cylinder is hot enough it closes the valve and prevents the boiler heating the cylinder more.





I used to have one on a Gravity feed cylinder, better than nothing but not very suitable in your circumstances, you will be wasting gas especially in summer. I sold my spare one for about £80 on ebay, so there are still people who use them. You could have your existing cylinder re-piped and a thermostat and motorised valve fitted to it with new wiring.

 

[jeff the gasman]

How does the Boiler know it’s not needed any more?

 

[JohnD]

it doesn't.

 

[jeff the gasman]

That’s why it’s very inefficient and we don’t use those controls any more.

 

[ash1212002]

it appears to have a what looks like a thin wire coming from it and going to the cylinder. This is the sender. If so, it's a cylinder stat. A Drayton Tapstat. When it gets the cylinder is hot enough it closes the valve and prevents the boiler heating the cylinder more.



View attachment 166811 View attachment 166812

I used to have one on a Gravity feed cylinder, better than nothing but not very suitable in your circumstances, you will be wasting gas especially in summer. I sold my spare one for about £80 on ebay, so there are still people who use them. You could have your existing cylinder re-piped and a thermostat and motorised valve fitted to it with new wiring.

So should i upgrade the cylinder as you suggested or would it be better to rip the lot out and get a combi fitted instead?

 

[JohnD]

I am not a gasman.

Doing the cylinder properly would cut your gas bills at once, and would be cheaper than buying a new boiler. By upgrading the controls you should be able to make you house more comfortable as well as saving energy. Perhaps you don't have a room stat and some of your radiators come on whenever you want to heat the cylinder. That should also be fixed. Perhaps you don't have a timer.

If it is not convenient to buy a new boiler straight away I would get the cylinder done while you get the money together or make up your mind.

Sooner or later your boiler will break down and not be worth repairing, and you can't delay any longer. But I see your cylinder has an immersion heater you can use for hot water if the boiler is out of action so it will not be a catastrophe.

Opinions differ, but a combi is less suitable the more people you have in your house who might turn taps on or flush WCs at the same time.