Hi.
Hope someone can help me with a couple of questions? We live in a victorian terrcaced house and the large original built in Yorkshire cast iron range is still here. I've used it for years as just an open fire. I've now got a free unlimited supply of hardwood to burn.
I'd like to use this now to supplement the hot water (seems a shame to get nowt from it if it's free)!!
I was considering installing a 'box type' back boiler. The supply will be the domestic hot water system (which is currently heated indirectly by the gas boiler on a vented system). This would then gravity feed the H/W tank directly with heated water from the back boiler(vented to expansion header tank). I'd also be installing a rad or towel rails or something to get rid of any excess uncontolled heat in the system. OK...here's the questions:
1. Is the direct system I've described OK, as opposed to installing an indirect two coil hot water tank?
2. The height from range to H/W tank is approx 18ft, with the header tank approx 8 ft above this. Would the gravity feed system be OK without a pump over this height?
3. It looks like the ORIGINAL back boiler sat on a shelf some 12" above the fire grate. This seems rather high to me? Can any of the 'older end' who remembers what I'm talking about advise me on siting? (as far as I understand, the boiler is in direct contact with the flames and is not behind biscuit type fire bricks?
4. Finally....I know it's a lengthy post..this is just to supplement the H/W system. I realise it might not be very efficient...but it's free! Please.... any other comments, ideas, criticism or whatever else would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Howard
Hope someone can help me with a couple of questions? We live in a victorian terrcaced house and the large original built in Yorkshire cast iron range is still here. I've used it for years as just an open fire. I've now got a free unlimited supply of hardwood to burn.
I'd like to use this now to supplement the hot water (seems a shame to get nowt from it if it's free)!!I was considering installing a 'box type' back boiler. The supply will be the domestic hot water system (which is currently heated indirectly by the gas boiler on a vented system). This would then gravity feed the H/W tank directly with heated water from the back boiler(vented to expansion header tank). I'd also be installing a rad or towel rails or something to get rid of any excess uncontolled heat in the system. OK...here's the questions:
1. Is the direct system I've described OK, as opposed to installing an indirect two coil hot water tank?
2. The height from range to H/W tank is approx 18ft, with the header tank approx 8 ft above this. Would the gravity feed system be OK without a pump over this height?
3. It looks like the ORIGINAL back boiler sat on a shelf some 12" above the fire grate. This seems rather high to me?
Can any of the 'older end' who remembers what I'm talking about advise me on siting? (as far as I understand, the boiler is in direct contact with the flames and is not behind biscuit type fire bricks?4. Finally....I know it's a lengthy post..this is just to supplement the H/W system. I realise it might not be very efficient...but it's free! Please.... any other comments, ideas, criticism or whatever else would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Howard
