Single loop central heating. Boiler etc.

[geoff1954]

We have a 1930s house with an old central heating single loop system. It was working fine (with a back boiler) but we had to have the hot water cylinder replaced. Apparently it was ancient. The plumber was able to replace the cylinder but he found it complicated to set up the central heating system again. he said it was now necessary to have a cold water tank in the loft, for example. So at the moment we have no central heating. If it worked fine before, why is it so hard to get it working again? I really don't want to replace all the pipes etc in the house.
A further thought. Is it necessary for the central heating boiler also to heat the hot water, when the immersion heater can do this? Would it help simplify the plumbing work if the boiler powered the central heating only, and not the hot water?

 

[bazdaman]

I might be way off here but could your plumber have changed the cylinder and not realised it was primatic thats why you now need a tank?

 

[twgas]

Sounds as though you had a non-standard cylinder and your plumber replaced it with a normal one. Need more info to help any!

 

[bazdaman]

A photo could help, are u thinking primatic aswell twgas?

 

[twgas]

A photo could help, are u thinking primatic aswell twgas?

yep

 

[geoff1954]

A photo could help, are u thinking primatic aswell twgas?

Yes, I think it was a prismatic tank (whatever that is). I am okay with a new cold water tank in the loft but will this allow the system to made workable? (I don't need it to be good as I plan moving house!)

 

[Agile]

All should be fine with the header tank.

But perhaps even better if made into a sealed system!

Tony

 

[twgas]

All should be fine with the header tank.

But perhaps even better if made into a sealed system!

Tony

old back boilers were not often designed for sealed systems, although some did have upgrade kits available.