Boiler/Heating Upgrade

RScan

Hello,
Our house was built in the mid 60s and the original oil boiler is still in place. However this needs to be replaced and we are looking at installing a high efficency boiler.
I know that there are seai grants but these require more than just the replacement of a boiler; heating controls must be upgraded or installed.
At the moment the exisitng heating sytem is not zoned nor does it have a timer. Water is heated using the immersion.
In an older house such as mine, can zones be set up without a major amount of work? Can a zone be set up for water only using the existing hot water tank etc? Can the necessary pipework be installed via the attic!? (new wooden floors that Id like to keep sound!)

Any advice or links to useful resources welcomed.

DoneDL

Strangely enough older properties tend to be easier to retrofit as the work can be done in the cylinder cupboard, the supply to the hot water and heating will most probably divide there. Well worth asking any one on the registered contractors list to have a look.

CBYR1983

I have the same problem, and don't want to take up a solid wood floor.

Old Oil Fired Boiler in a shed at the back of the house. Single zone for all rads and water. No independent hot water function from boiler. You also probably have some gun-barrel piping.

If this is the same as your set up, I understand that a separate feed needs to run from the boiler to your hot water storage tank for independent hot water.

I think the only way you can do this without taking up your floor is to have lagged piping running on the outside of your house to the attic. One guy suggested this to me, which I thought was ridiculous.

Either that or else you chase out your walls internally and run the piping behind the skirting boards or something.

I've decided I need to leave mine alone, I replaced rads and had the boiler serviced, probably max 70% efficient but hopefully I'll be long gone before the payback period is out.

I can't see the point in replacing the boiler without re-doing the piping, which just seems too much hassle, but if you get someone to do it and you're happy, please let me know.

ntpm

RScan wrote: »

Hello,
Our house was built in the mid 60s and the original oil boiler is still in place. However this needs to be replaced and we are looking at installing a high efficency boiler.
I know that there are seai grants but these require more than just the replacement of a boiler; heating controls must be upgraded or installed.
At the moment the exisitng heating sytem is not zoned nor does it have a timer. Water is heated using the immersion.
In an older house such as mine, can zones be set up without a major amount of work? Can a zone be set up for water only using the existing hot water tank etc? Can the necessary pipework be installed via the attic!? (new wooden floors that Id like to keep sound!)

Any advice or links to useful resources welcomed.

Depending on Pipe layout (as per DoneDL thread) you may get away with minor plumbing alterations and additional motorised valve for your zones and electrical control mods.
If you do need additional pipework run into hotpress or through the house these can be boxed in and hidden. Just needs a little more cosideration.
Get a couple of company's/ contractors to give you advice on pipe runs.
However, I would suggest that you look at the condition of major components ie. radiators... wash and clean them out( or replace if very old) and ensure that your cylinder has the high density foam insulation.

As an option Fit Thermostaic Radiator Valves (TRV's) to give you room by room control if you can not re-zone the heating areas but definetly try an have a separate zone the hot water.