Installing gas central heating from scratch

[LeeUK]

I want to drag my 2 bed terrace into the 20th century by replacing the old dated solid fuel (coke/coal) 'Parkray' central heating system to gas central heating.

I'm not sure if I would have to have all pipework and radiators replaced too or if I could get away with keeping the old ones. Also have a hot water cylinder and header tank whether they would have to come out too or not. I believe the old central heating system was installed in the 1980s.

Anyone know a rough price in the North East and even a good tradesman?

I already have a gas supply to the property so that doesn't need factoring into the price.

 

[Mickie]

where in the northeast are you ?

The old system is an open system and a new combi if you wanted to go that way would be sealed so tanks would be bypassed and they could just be left in the loft if it made it easier to just leave them up there.

A rough price would be anything from £1500 to £3000..be best to call out and give an accurate quote
You'd obviously need to run new heating pipes upto the boiler, new gas main to the boiler,hot and cold.. thermostatic valves on all radiators and room thermostat for building regs..

I do this for a living and based in the northeast, message me if you'd like.

 

[LeeUK]

I'm about 15 miles north of Newcastle.

I'd be interested even if the Parkray and water tank/cylinder stayed if it is possible to make it easier and keep costs down.

Hot water tank is in spare bedroom with header tank in loft above. I was thinking that the boiler could just go in spare bedroom next to it.

 

[Nightglow]

I'm about 15 miles north of Newcastle.

I'd be interested even if the Parkray and water tank/cylinder stayed if it is possible to make it easier and keep costs down.

Hot water tank is in spare bedroom with header tank in loft above. I was thinking that the boiler could just go in spare bedroom next to it.

Just scrape the lot.

The header tank is old fashion, just not needed in a modern system today.
Don't even think of keeping bits of old pipework, you'll end up regretting it, I did this 10 years ago, came in at midnight Christmas eve, found the place flooded, ceilings down, traced the leak to a old Tee, which had fractured.

New system,new pipework, fit a good combination boiler like a Vaillant 824 combination boiler, has a 7 year warranty.

You can buy boiler packs like these,comes with flue vertical or horizontal & use the Vaillant VRT350F Wireless Programmable Room Thermostat, this is the best value digital programmer.

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/vaillant-ecotec-plus-824-combi-boiler-packs/

But, do a bit of searching & you can find Valliant 824 boiler pack with the VRC470F Wireless Programmable Roomstat/Weather Compensator,it will monitor the outside temperatures and will compensate the boiler output to maintain the ideal desired room temperature indoors, resulting in gas savings.

http://www.plumbtraders.co.uk/pack/...-boiler-flue-and-wireless-clock-pack-vrc470f/

EDIT: Unnecessary in a 2 bed terraced house in my opinion, but some like having it, but definitely worth while in a 3 bed house, especially if starting from scratch, as the VCR470F offering the option of being able to add a second stat for zoning your heating system.

***************************************************************************************************
And complete packs.

http://www.mrcentralheating.co.uk/vaillant-ecotec-plus-824he-heat-pack

 

[NoNameNoNumber]

Sorry to hijack but that what you have just posted night glow looks very appealing to me! We have a gas back boiler in our living room that I'd like to get rid of... Now the ceilings are are down I can access the CH easily so may well be worth just splashing out!

I assume I am legally allowed to fit everything apart from the boiler?

 

[Nightglow]

I assume I am legally allowed to fit everything apart from the boiler?

You can even fit the boiler if your confident, but I would seriously recommend leaving that to the plumber, but not install pipe work for the gas supply, or connect it to a gas supply, that has to be done a corgi approved plumber.

 

[NoNameNoNumber]

Ah that's cool. I deal with superheated steam lines at work @430ºC and 45 bar so a few water lines at town main pressure should be no biggie

I'll post a separate thread up when I have more info from my boiler setup Nightglow so as to avoid trashing this one... Could you take a look when you get a moment please matey

 

[Nightglow]

I'll post a separate thread up when I have more info from my boiler setup Nightglow so as to avoid trashing this one... Could you take a look when you get a moment please matey

Certainly.

When you come to do your system, take the time to clip the pipe runs, nothing worse than sleepless nights due to rattling pipes.
Floorboards will need to come up to laid some pipes & notching of joists for them.

 

[LeeUK]

Ideally I would have it all ripped out but depending on costs I need to make my money stretch.

 

[Imy]

As you've already had helpful replies, the pedantic in me is forcing me to point out we're now in the 21st century...

 

[LeeUK]

As you've already had helpful replies, the pedantic in me is forcing me to point out we're now in the 21st century...

The replies are very helpful indeed and I'm very interested in the boiler packs which have been posted above. All advice has been taken on board, just need to get a few central heating tradesmen in for quotes.

I used "20th century" as no one uses solid fuel heating these days unless they are off the gas network. Unless it's a trendy stove burner thing.

 

[Nightglow]

The replies are very helpful indeed and I'm very interested in the boiler packs which have been posted above. All advice has been taken on board, just need to get a few central heating tradesmen in for quotes.

I used "20th century" as no one uses solid fuel heating these days unless they are off the gas network. Unless it's a trendy stove burner thing.

Should have used 19th century, back boilers were around then.

If your renovating a house, & installing central heating from new or upgrading the system, & you have ripped down ceilings & have floorboards up, seriously consider zoning your heating, doesn't add much to the cost, other than the auto bypass vavles & extra pipe.
But, you'll save in the long term, pointless heating bedrooms all day if unused.

 

[LeeUK]

Should have used 19th century, back boilers were around then.

If your renovating a house, & installing from new or upgrading the heating, & you have ripped down ceilings & have floorboards up, seriously consider zoning your heating, doesn't add much to the cost, other than the valves & extra pipe.
But, you'll save in the long term, pointless heating bedrooms all day if unused.

Not renovating whole house, just basically retro fitting new central heating but I understand there will be some mess to patch up.