The time has come to replace my CH system and bathroom and I have been reading up and googling around to try and get to grips with the options available. Some advice would be appreciated. This will not be a d.i.y. job
The house is a mid thirties 3 bed semi with a kitchen extension and bedroom above. The heating system is the usual back boiler arrangement, nine rads, that dates back to the sixties but with a boiler replacement made in the early eighties. In other words, on its last legs.
This property was owned by my parents before me and was in poor shape when I took it over. In the last six years I have been gradually refurbishing, windows, doors, rewire, kitchen. The decoration can wait as I want to concentrate on the structure and main systems. CH and bathroom next, maybe not the order I should have gone.
My first thoughts were to replace the CH with a similar back boiler type, the problem here is the airing cupboard and what it contains. Situated in a corner of the main back bedroom, everything is old, old, old. Its huge and the state inside is awful. I have tried cleaning it up but with limited results. The cupboard itself is falling apart and the plasterwork inside is hanging off. The whole thing has to go and be properly repaired. At least I will gain space. Additionally, I do not want to be investing long term in a system that may be going into history.
One possibility is to build a new airing cupboard in the newer fourth bedroom, it would be next to the bathroom wall and above the kitchen. The other possibility is downstairs in the "old kitchen" directly below the bathroom. This area measures seven by nine and although refurbished contains no furnishings. This area is joined to the new kitchen by a six foot archway and as a result there is a handy looking corner formed by the outside wall and the arch wall, measuring 700 x
600mm.So, what type of system to go for? I haven't discounted a combi, but I doubt that would be the best solution in this size of property. I was thinking of a sealed system, but there are the annual costs to consider, also everywhere I read up there seems to be an implied question over the safety aspect. Kabooom is not a good selling point. That leaves me thinking of a vented thermal store type. I have discovered that there are two types, direct and indirect.
I read up on the Albion site that the direct type goes upstairs and the indirect can go anywhere, apart from the little expansion tank which needs to be high up. So where do I put the boiler? In the kitchen area or in with the cylinder? Then there are the integrated systems such as Gledhill. What I have failed to find reference to is what electrical supply is needed for any of these things.
Cost is an issue of course, but I want to get this done properly.
At the moment I am rather confused and undecided.
Your comments and advice will be very welcome.