Strategy

[bolst3r]

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to look at this post, it's an epic – sorry for that but hopefully some knowledgeable people will be able to offer some advice and support for the long road ahead

We're in the process of planning our extension build and we need a strategy for the plumbing. We're going for a mostly open plan ground floor as this will suit our family living. We will run floor tiles from the front door, down the hall, into the utility and cloakroom then into a new large kitchen diner of about 25 feet square. We are going to have our kitchen area as two long runs with the sink on an island. Off the kitchen there will be a small office and play room which will probably different flooring. The only other room downstairs is our lounge which will have a carpet. We feel tiles would be a good choice as they are very hard wearing but unfortunately they can be quite cold so the answer has to be underfloor heating. Based on this I have several question about adopting this type of system:

1) Is this the best approach
2) Are their particular systems/brands to look out for or maybe avoid
3) Is it best to breakup the existing screed, lay the underfloor heating then re-screed or remove all the skirtings etc, lay the heating and then apply a new screed raising the floor by a few inches
4) Is it a nightmare removing the old heating system and replacing it for underfloor heating

As our kitchen is going to be in two long runs with the sink on an island, how are the waste and water runs handled? Are they run under the over sight and then screed over the top, is it best to get the builder doing the ground works or a plumber to put theses elements in?

Along with the underfloor heating I was considering adding a megaflow tank as we will be adding an en-suite to the upstairs. I've heard mixed reviews about them especially from my Dad who had no end of trouble from his and vowed never to have one again. We currently have a Potterton boiler that must be a minimum of 10 yeas old so as we're undertaking a huge amount of work and moving the boiler I will probably replace it. Base on the above I have the following questions:

1) Is a megaflow the best way to go and should I ignore past experience
2) Are they costly to maintain
3) Are their specific boilers that are better suited to work with megaflow systems

Thanks in advance.

 

[Agile]

Its a massive cost to add UFH and unless you fully understand how it works I dont advise it anyway. The manufacturers dont tell you about the drawbacks!

If the mains water flow is good then an unvented is the answer. We charge an extra £35 to service them at the same time as a boiler.

Any boiler will work with an unvented but a few like the new Viessmann have some bits already built in.

Tony

 

[bolst3r]

mmm, What drawback are their with underfloor heating? How can you have a tiled floor without it? Surely the tiles would be freezing in the winter without it?

We would probably pay someone with experience to install the UFH as it would be a major issue if there were any problems with it. We would be looking to run the UFH off the existing hot water system so to electric does this make much difference?

A sealed system does have some appeal but i'm not totally sold on it. I've always just gone down the boiler and then pumps for showers, is this not an acceptable method? I seem to read quite a few threads where people are having problems with megaflows, aren't standard boilers less problematic?

Sorry for further questions

 

[Agile]

I dont have time to explain it all to you for free when I am not involved in your job.

It has been covered so many times on this and other forums.
Just do a search!

Be aware that those who install systems will be interested in taking your money and will not be telling you about the drawbacks.

The main problem is that its not time controlable as it takes hours to heat up. As long as you have it on from 0500 to 2200 every day then it will be good but cost much more than a rad system timed to only heat when its needed, say 0700-0800 and 1800-2000.

Tony

 

[bengasman]

One downside of uf is that it has a long delay before it heats the room, can be 2 to 4 hours.

IF you get one, don't get it from Rayheat. could be spelled differently; they do mainly internet sales and it is made in Ireland.

Other than that, find yourself a good installer and let them sort it out as it is far too long and complicated to explain, and even if someone would take the time to do it, you still would not be able to judge what is done.

One simple bit of advice, get a sealed system; open vent has no advantages and is outdated.