I am a plumber in Northampton, UK and I often get asked by people to explain the differences between different types of boilers or heating systems. You may have moved into a new home and do not know which type of boiler and central heating system you have or you may be considering installing or replacing your boiler or heating system.

This article will explain the main domestic heating systems that I work with as a plumber, Northampton.

One of the most common boilers and the one that most people opt to have installed nowadays is the combination boiler. A combination (combi) boiler heats hot water for heating (radiators) and also for domestic hot water direct to the draw off points (taps). Unlike regular or system boilers it does not store hot water in a seperate large domestic hot water cylinder, instead it heats cold water directly from the cold mains supply. The benefit of such boilers is that you always have instant hot water when you need it.

How to tell if you have a combi boiler in your home:

There will be no feed and expansion or cold water storage cisterns in the loft of the property. You wouldn\’t have a domestic hot water cylinder. When the hot water taps are turned on the boiler will fire up instantly to directly heat the water. You will not need to take up space in your property storing a cold water storage cistern.

Regular/conventional boiler.

This type of system of system is what is known as a non sealed system. It incorporates a open vent safety pipe which is open to the atmosphere. This ends over the feed and expansion cistern (normally in the loft). This system provides domestic heating through radiators and domestic hot water indirectly through a seperate hot water cylinder.

How to tell if you have a regular/conventional boiler:

You will have a feed and expansion plus a cold water storage cistern in the loft. You would normally have a airing cupboard containing a hot water cylinder, circulation pump, 2 or 3 port zone valve and wiring center. You will also notice copper pipes running from the cylinder up into the loft space. This is a low pressure sytem.

Sealed system boiler:

A sealed system boiler will not be open to the atmosphere like a regular boiler, instead it will be a sealed pressurised system like a combi boiler but unlike a combi it will not provide hot water directly. It will provide hot water by a seperate pressurised unvented cylinder.

How to tell if you have a sealed system boiler:

There will be no water cisterns or related pipework in loft space. You will have a seperate unvented hot water cylinder with a expansion vessel and pressure release valve close by.

In other articles I will talk about the benefits of the different types of heating systems that I commonly work with as a plumber, Northampton. People want to know which systems are the most energy efficient.

Paul Hastings is a plumber, Northampton, UK. He provides plumbing and heating services to Northampton and Buckinghamshire and writes about plumbing and heating on his website which is http://www.paulhastingsplumbing.co.uk

Paul Hastings is a plumber, Northampton, UK. He provides plumbing and heating services to Northampton and Buckinghamshire and writes about plumbing and heating on his website which is http://www.paulhastingsplumbing.co.uk

Author Bio: Paul Hastings is a plumber, Northampton, UK. He provides plumbing and heating services to Northampton and Buckinghamshire and writes about plumbing and heating on his website which is http://www.paulhastingsplumbing.co.uk

Category: Home Management
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