On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 07:08:21 -0700, Paul wrote:

Probably an easy question for you hardened DIY'ers but as an avid
bodger taking on a bodger job.....

I'm putting a new central heating system into a 3 bed detached house,
decided to go for a combi system becuase they look the easiest...

What's the better plan - Themostatic valves on each radiator or a room
temperature guage wired into the boiler? (or both???)

If I go RTV's I assume I need one radiator without?

Bonus question : Can I use the heated towel rail / raadiator as this
bypass so its always hot? How about the summer?

Last question - copper or plstic for the piping - or is it just
personal preference?

Thanks in advance - sorry if these are in an FAQ somewhere - if so can
someone post a link?

cheers,

I would endorse most of what Christian McArdle has replied.

You don't say wether you are going for a combi boiler or stored HW.
If the former then likely the bypass is done internally in the boiler.
If the latter then I'd put the bathroom towel rail on as the bypass.
Theoretically you don't need a bypass if using Y plan (3 port valve)
controls (but I'd recommend S-plan + bathroom towel rail as bypass).

If using chromed copper, note that you will have to: Either use a
compression fitting onto the plastic and you MUST use the correct sleeve
supporting inserts on the plastic. Or you can abrade the chrome pipe to
copper and use a push fit connector.

If you have suspended floors to route the plastic pipe through, you will
need a right-angle drill or driver (not a £10 plastic gear box) to bore
the joists. But the jobs become a dream as you drag the plastic from A to
B as one run!

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html