Should I replace my Ideal Classic FF250

[christhegardener]

Hi Everyone,
Our Central heating system is 20 years old. We have Ideal Classic FF250 and five radiators.

Recently, I've noticed temperature in hall between 55 - 60 (too cold for my elderly father). We had to have radiator downstairs altered when stairlift installed. New one is smaller but wider, so I think should be same output?

Although old radiators upstairs heat rooms to approx 65 which is fine, old radiator in front room downstairs doesn't get as hot as it should, and new radiator in hall doesn't seem capable of heating to adequate temperature.

Is it best to replace whole system (but I do believe boiler is a good one - maybe I should hold on to it), or just radiators.

Are all radiators as good as each other, if not which is best make?

Thanks in advance for all your help and comments

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[Agile]

What have you set the boiler flow temperature knob to?

When was your system last serviced?

Tony

 

[christhegardener]

Hi Tony,

Thermostat on boiler is set to 5, and we last had boiler serviced about 1 year ago by British Gas, though I must admit they never seem to do very much.

Nobody looks at radiators on the service, I do remember some years ago, an independant plumber, put some stuff (can't remember what is was) I think in tank which was supposed to clean inside of radiators

Thanks

Chris

 

[christhegardener]

Hi Again,

Just a bit more info if it helps - I've bled the system and the new altech radiator in hall downstairs is hot three quarters of way down, but only tepid (I can keep my hand on it), at lowest quarter. The old radiator in front room is the same.

However all old radiators upstairs are piping hot all over.

Any more help most appreciated.

Bye the way is altech a good radiator make?

Thanks again

Kind Regards

Chris

 

[Agile]

Your system needs balancing!

See FAQ

Tony

 

[Agile]

Your system needs balancing!

See FAQ

All radiators are essentially the same!

Tony

 

[easyflow]

First thing I would do before condemning anything is get the heating system cleaned out thoroughly, check rad valves and pump are operating correctly and balance system when re filled.

 

[christhegardener]

Thanks your your quick and most helpful responses.

While I've been fiddling about, I've realised 2 of the radiators won't turn off at all when central heating is turned on, dial is off,but heat still coming out (they are in rooms I don't use often, so never noticed before).

I assume this is a couple of faulty valves - they are 20 years old.

Is it worth just replacing valves, or more economical in long term to replace radiators?

Thanks in advance

Chris

 

[kidgreen61]

Keep the boiler, they're a good bombproof design.

Get a decent bod in to check/ replace faulty valves, and balance the system.

Job done for very little cost

 

[christhegardener]

Thanks to everyone for your help

Chris