Xtreme Kermit
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 08:04 PM |
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Hot Air Central Heating - Keep or scrap?
What is the considered opinion on hot air central heating.
We have just bought a house with this installed. The boiler however is very old and in need of replacement. In addition to this their is little air
flow to some rooms upstairs, and some downstairs areas get too hot... Just to add insult to injury, one downstairs room that we need heat in does not
have a vent in at all.
Should we stick with the hot air system and try and balance it out, add ducting and replace the boiler, or junk it and do a gas to water with rads and
a megaflow hot water system?
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r1_pete
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 08:16 PM |
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Gas, water and rads are more conventional and probably easiest to maintain and service.
I put a Vailant boiler in last year, replacing a 15 year old one, our bills since have been down 30% on the previou years.
[Edited on 12/11/10 by r1_pete]
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Xtreme Kermit
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 08:47 PM |
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I have had vailants in the last two houses so really rate them too!
Just not sure about trying to save the hot air system...
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kevmcdo
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 08:56 PM |
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Ditch it!!!
We moved into our current home 2yrs ago with a hot / cold air system and it was very poor and like you we had rooms with no vents ie bathroom and
small room.
Quite expensive to keep a steady heat in the home and the worst part was getting someone out to service it or even have knowledge of it!?!
We lasted 6 weeks before replacing with a completely new combi boiler and radiator set up and it felt like a new home again. Our next door neighbors
popped around to introduce themselves after it was fitted and could not believe the difference.
Kev
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tony-devon
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 09:06 PM |
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ditch it asap
I had some seriously nasty problems with it, both health and financial
try leaving bowls of water around the house when its on, see how fast they dissapear,
our heating bills in my old house went down to about 30% of the bills for same period with warm air
in my opinion its dangerous and to be avoided
heavy is good, heavy is reliable, and if it breaks, hit them with it
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perksy
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 09:18 PM |
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Replace it
a mate had it and it cost him an arm and a leg to run it 
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zilspeed
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 09:54 PM |
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Word of warning.
If you're taking it out, the area the boiler is sited in is very likely to contain asbestos.
If it does you need it taken out and disposed of in accordance with the regulations.
Asbestos
Don't even be tempted to take it out yourself and try and tip it.
If you get caught, it's a fairly hefty fine.
Just a word of caution, that's all.
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Xtreme Kermit
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 10:17 PM |
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Thanks zil, I wouldn't dare touch it!
We had a friend in the trade come round last week and he said the same thing about the under stairs lining being asbestos 
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tegwin
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| posted on 12/11/10 at 11:11 PM |
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Have you looked into the possibility with replacing it with an exhaust air source heat pump?
Draws air out of the top of the house, captures the heat from the air and pumps it back into the bottom of the house.... Can also be reversed to cool
the house using the same method...
Worth looking into, they are suposed to be exceedingly efficient and very good for air quality etc
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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LBMEFM
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| posted on 13/11/10 at 07:29 AM |
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Just scrap it, no question. Fit a new condenser boiler/rads/thermostic valves, depending on your property for £2.5 - £3K. The efficiency of the new
system will save you money on fuel costs and you will have full control over the heat. Barry
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fesycresy
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| posted on 13/11/10 at 08:03 AM |
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I'm in the industrial heating and aircon game, I'm asked to look at these a few times a year. I turn down every one!
Most industrial companies do not hold the ACS qualification to come into your house, but look after these on industrial / commercial premises every
day. Domestic guys are rarely qualified to work on 'warm air'.
These had a run of popularity in the late 70's and 80's and if it's just warm air it's probably a Johnson and Starley, without
doubt there's asbestos.
As mentioned the two options are boilers and air source air conditioning. If you want any info on the air conditioning give me a pm on Monday and
I'll put you in touch with your local Mitsubishi or Daikin rep who could advise.
Why are you looking at a megaflow for hot water? You must have a big house or high hot water demand if you need to go away from a combi. Have you
calc'd the house yet?
If it were me I would go with a boiler and rads.
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The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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MakeEverything
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| posted on 13/11/10 at 10:13 AM |
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Couple of things;
Warm air systems are very dry, and not very pleasant if left on overnight in my experience. They can also transmit air from one room to another, or
CO from one room to another as well as germs etc. If one person gets a cold, expect the others to as well.
With regards to Asbestos, you cna leave it in as long as its painted and remains undisturbed. Not so easy when throwing things under the stairs, or
with animals. The ideal scenario would be to have it removed professionally, but be prepared for the house to look like a forensics scene for the
weekend.
If you have a lack of air flow in some rooms and not others, the dampers may need adjusting, or the heating coil cleaning out.
Hope this helps, and good luck. Personally, i think i would look at pulling it all out.
Kindest Regards,
Richard.
...You can make it foolProof, but youll never make it Idiot Proof!...
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Xtreme Kermit
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| posted on 13/11/10 at 07:51 PM |
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Thanks guys, it is a four bed place with two baths at the moment, but we are putting in a granny friendly space which will add another bathroom.
Having had a combi, I am not a great fan (sic) which is why I'm looking at the megaflow. We have a noisy pump for the showers at the moment
which I would cheerfully burn 
How do I go about the calcs?
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