No space use a combination boiler
No space use a combination boiler
Combination boiler systems offer many space saving and gas economy advantages for the tiny home. All you want to set up the full central heating system is a combi heating boiler and balanced flue. To complete the heating you just need radiators, the necessary fittings and a quantity of copper pipe. Your first reaction maybe that we had forgotten some components. The hot water storage tank, the feed and enlargement tank usually put in the attic, the central heating pump and other component parts that central heating and hot water systems seem to require.
These components are not required by a contemporary combi boiler. The hot water storage tank can be excluded from your system, you do not require a feed and enlargement tank up in the loft, the combi gas boiler casing also has storage space to contain the other components mentioned. This removes the need for a lot of component parts, which take up a lot of space in your house.
Do not think that all this is new as combination gas boilers have been fitted for a while now. The combination has been more popular in the Continent than in the U.K., but is now being fitted more frequently as an alternative to the traditional wall mounted heating boiler. There are two major differences to be highlighted when compared with orthodox heating boilers. The central heating hot water circulation system is sealed. This means that there is no requirement for a feed and enlargement cylinder in the loft. A second benefit is withdrawing the need for the hot water storage tank as the heating boiler stocks its own hot water.
Domestic hot water is developed on demand, this is signalled when you switch on a valve. The hot water is produced by the use of a highly efficient integral heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is heated by clever use of the existing hot water in the central heating system. In this way fresh mains cold water is quickly heated before reaching the hot water valve.
Hot water provision to the radiators is a lesser importance than the output of immediate hot water for the household. When the valve is closed again the central heating water is returned to its normal circuit.
If you do have a storage space problem in your dwelling house you should give great consideration to fitting a combination gas boiler when you next exchange your heating boiler.