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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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combi boiler and solid fuel back boiler in tandem
not really in tandem as I intend to isolate one from the other :-p
I've just bought a multifuel stove, on which I burn logs, scrap wood and coal, I've not had the (condensing) boiler on for 2 weeks now and this was my intention - to save on gas bills. Living room is toasty warm but the upstairs is cold, so my intention is to take a flow and return, attach a pump and rig up a back boiler - I have access to a heat exchanger from a swimming pool, it's about 2ft by 1ft, stainless steel and has fittings attached which I can use to connect the pipes, my intention is to install it adjacent to the back of the fire (the fire is basically a cast iron box with a glass door and a hole at the back). Im intending to put isolator valves on the flow and return at the boiler so that it's out of the picture when I'm using the back boiler. I gather I'll need an expansion tank in the loft, and the pipe leading to this will also have an isolation valve, so that I can remove this from the system when using the boiler and the fire would be obvioulsy out of action also. I don't want to get rid of the combi cos I may need it in spring and autumn when I don't want to make a fire just to take the chill off a few rooms. I've run the idea past a few plumber aquaintances and they think it's do-able Ideas and thoughts anyone? And please no lectures about regulations etc |
#2
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combi boiler and solid fuel back boiler in tandem
On Sat, 3 Dec 2011 19:15:12 -0000, Phil L wrote:
Living room is toasty warm but the upstairs is cold, so my intention is to take a flow and return, attach a pump and rig up a back boiler There must be a gravity loop from a stove boiler to somewhere it can dump the heat. This is normally a radiator that will gravity feed from the stove boiler but controlled by a thermostatic valve that opens at 90 to 95C. The gravity loop ought to be plumbed in 28mm copper. The CH circuit will need to be pumped of course but that is seperate to the circuit removing heat from the stove boiler. I have access to a heat exchanger from a swimming pool, it's about 2ft by 1ft, stainless steel and has fittings attached which I can use to connect the pipes, my intention is to install it adjacent to the back of the fire (the fire is basically a cast iron box with a glass door and a hole at the back). "Adjacent" implies a gap, to get decent heat transfer it needs to be in good metal to metal contact with the back of the stove. Bear in mind that if the boiler is doing it's job you may well get tar build up on the inside back of the stove, this may or may not be a "Bad Thing". Im intending to put isolator valves on the flow and return at the boiler so that it's out of the picture when I'm using the back boiler. Ideally you have a "neutral pressure point" where the flow/returns from the two boilers and the CH all meet. By all measn fit isolation valves for maintenance reasons but having to manually adjust valves to get safe/correct operation of the system is just asking for them not to be set correctly at some point. A commercial "neutral pressure point" device is a Dunsley Neutraliser, other makes are available. You probably aren't going to get very much heat from your lashed on boiler so a thermal store providing the neutral point is not likely to be worth installing. I gather I'll need an expansion tank in the loft, and the pipe leading to this ... Two pipes one feed and one vent. A metal tank is recommended as an "enthusiastic" firing of a stove boiler can make things *very* hot. will also have an isolation valve, so that I can remove this from the system when using the boiler and the fire would be obvioulsy out of action also. A valve on the feed is OK but not on the vent. -- Cheers Dave. |
#3
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combi boiler and solid fuel back boiler in tandem
"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message ll.co.uk... On Sat, 3 Dec 2011 19:15:12 -0000, Phil L wrote: Living room is toasty warm but the upstairs is cold, so my intention is to take a flow and return, attach a pump and rig up a back boiler There must be a gravity loop from a stove boiler to somewhere it can dump the heat. This is normally a radiator that will gravity feed from the stove boiler but controlled by a thermostatic valve that opens at 90 to 95C. The gravity loop ought to be plumbed in 28mm copper. The CH circuit will need to be pumped of course but that is seperate to the circuit removing heat from the stove boiler. I have access to a heat exchanger from a swimming pool, it's about 2ft by 1ft, stainless steel and has fittings attached which I can use to connect the pipes, my intention is to install it adjacent to the back of the fire (the fire is basically a cast iron box with a glass door and a hole at the back). "Adjacent" implies a gap, to get decent heat transfer it needs to be in good metal to metal contact with the back of the stove. Bear in mind that if the boiler is doing it's job you may well get tar build up on the inside back of the stove, this may or may not be a "Bad Thing". Im intending to put isolator valves on the flow and return at the boiler so that it's out of the picture when I'm using the back boiler. Ideally you have a "neutral pressure point" where the flow/returns from the two boilers and the CH all meet. By all measn fit isolation valves for maintenance reasons but having to manually adjust valves to get safe/correct operation of the system is just asking for them not to be set correctly at some point. A commercial "neutral pressure point" device is a Dunsley Neutraliser, other makes are available. You probably aren't going to get very much heat from your lashed on boiler so a thermal store providing the neutral point is not likely to be worth installing. I gather I'll need an expansion tank in the loft, and the pipe leading to this ... Two pipes one feed and one vent. A metal tank is recommended as an "enthusiastic" firing of a stove boiler can make things *very* hot. will also have an isolation valve, so that I can remove this from the system when using the boiler and the fire would be obvioulsy out of action also. A valve on the feed is OK but not on the vent. -- Cheers Dave. What are you doing for hot water if not using the combi boiler? |
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