THE WIKI COMMUNITY

Wednesday 29 September 2010

Heating And Plumbing Accessories

By Paul Myers

Open vent boilers work in a traditional manner, whereby the heating circuit is pressurised using a high level cold water tank usually located in the loft. The open vented boilers, whilst being very traditional in the plumbing arrangement, are however usually wall-hung boilers which help to save large amounts of space.

Extended tariff electricity and split daytime tariff electricity has improved the flexibility of the use of storage heaters, giving them a daytime 'boost' facility. Many storage heaters incorporate a cross flow fan which can take heat from the retained heat in the core or from a separate heating element.

Most natural gas boilers are suitable for Propane LPG fuel options and require only a change of burner nozzle. Many boilers are now able to run in conjunction with solar panels where gas forms the secondary top up, heat source. Solar smart combi boilers are now being produced by many boiler manufacturers. Other new features available are economisers, or top box gas savers, where even more heat is recovered from flue gases by incorporation of a secondary heat exchanger.

Electric under floor heating is extremely popular in modern apartment blocks where stone, tiled and limestone floors can be maintained at very comfortable temperature. The under floor heating elements tend to be installed in the form of heat-mats whereby the mat forms a continuous heating element.

Fluing technology has advanced significantly in recent years with telescopic and concentric flues, which have made the heating installer's life much easier. Many vertical flues tend to be open flues with most wall mounted boilers having horizontal room sealed flues. Flue fittings are available in many configurations for the differing circumstances of each boiler installation. Gases leave high efficiency boilers at lower temperatures, which can cause condensation problems on nearby windows for example. Plume management then becomes an issue and plume management kits and accessories are available.

Wet under floor heating systems are ideal for new build construction and ideally run at relatively low temperatures of about 40 degrees centigrade. This makes such systems extremely compatible for use with heat pumps as the main source of heat.

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