Heating Systems – Questions and Answers
Understanding how your heating system works and what all the different parts are can really take the stress out of managing the maintenance of it.
We hope you find the answer you need here, but if not, please contact us.
1. What is system upgrade?
A system upgrade is updating your old gravity type heating/hot water system to a modern, fully pumped, fully thermostatically controlled system to comply with the current Part L building regulations.
2. How do I know if my system will need to be upgraded?
The simplest way of determining whether or not your system is in need of upgrading is to try switching on your central heating on its own without the hot water coming on also.
If you cannot operate your central heating independently from your hot water then you are almost certainly going to need your system upgraded.
3. What is involved in upgrading a system to a fully pumped thermostatically controlled system?
This involves removal of the existing boiler & replacing with a new high efficiency condensing boiler.
It also includes the following:
Powerflushing the entire system as per manufacturers recommendations.
Carrying out all works to comply with current building regulations and ensuring you are issued with a certificate of compliance by your local building control. (You will need this certificate when you come to sell your home)
Installation of either one or two electronically operated motorized valves (Depending on the size of your boiler/home) to separate the heating & hot water cycles. These valves are almost always positioned in the airing cupboard. A new pump is also fitted in the airing cupboard as part of the upgrade. You will also need to change your time clock to a modern programmer which can operate both systems separately. Both heating & hot water will have to have a thermostat for temperature control. The room thermostat is usually positioned in the hallway, although this position may vary from house to house.
A new foam lagged hot water cylinder is usually installed as part of a system upgrade, this will also need a thermostat fitted to control the hot water temperature.
4. How long will an installation take?
Installation times will vary from home to home & depending on the type of installation you are having. Below is a guideline to A.C.Wilgars expected time for installations. Please bear in mind that all our engineers are different so these are guidelines only.
Traditional/combination boiler replacement, & powerflush. 1-2 days
Boiler replacement, system upgrade & powerflush. 3-4 days
Upgrade existing traditional system to combination system 3-4 days
Install complete new central heating system. 5-6 days
(This will depend on the amount of radiators, however we will normally ensure an installation is complete within one week by increasing the amount of labour.)
5. Looking after your home.
All engineers at A.C.Wilgar carry their own vacuum cleaners, dust sheets & personalized door mats to help ensure your installation is carried out with the least amount of disruption possible.
Any old flue openings are made good with material matching the original as best as is possible/practical. Right down to getting the best possible bricks to match existing.
As part of our independent quality control policies we have stringent procedures, which ensure the greatest care will be taken with all aspects of your installation.
6. After sales service.
All systems fitted by us carry a comprehensive 2 year warranty on all parts and labour and you will have access to one of our own engineers out of normal working hours.
We offer a comprehensive Service Club contract which includes an annual service check and covers all parts and labour.
Click here to view a copy of our Service Club contract!
7. Does my system need a powerflush?
If you’re unsure whether your system needs a powerflush, we offer a unique thermal imaging survey.
This involves using a thermal camera to see the sludge within your system/radiators. This will clearly demonstrate without any doubt whether or not your system will need a powerflush.
The cost for this survey is £90.00 + VAT, however £50.00 of this will be deducted should we carry out the powerflush on completion of the survey.
For more details please contact the office.
8. What is involved in upgrading my system to a combination system?
This involves removal of the existing boiler & replacing with a new high efficiency condensing boiler.
Ensure the plumage from the boiler flue terminal will not cause a nuisance.
It also includes the following:
Powerflushing the entire system as per manufacturers recommendations.
Click here to find out more about PowerFlushing
Carrying out all works to comply with current building regulations and ensuring you are issued with a certificate of compliance by your local building control. (You will need this certificate when you come to sell your home)
Replacing your traditional system with a combination system includes the removal of the hot water cylinder.
Removal (Where practical) of the cold water tanks from the loft.
All radiator valves will be inspected during our survey and if necessary old or worn valves will be replaced to avoid the possibility of leaks because of the increase in pressure from a combination system.
Shower valves should be checked to ensure that they are compatible with combination boilers.
Ball valves will be altered or adjusted to operate properly under mains water pressure.
Carrying out all making good as best as possible to match existing.
9. Important questions to ask a potential installer!
We have compiled a list of questions within the below video which we feel are important to ask a potential installer
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