Selecting your next Gas Heating System
Selecting your next Gas Heating System
Before you buy a central heating system you need to establish what form of system and gas boiler you will need. This web page focuses on the form of system available. The primary alternatives are driven by heating boiler type although this will influence the other system constituents.
Whether you are buying a new development or established dwelling you will find that it will contain a central heating system which is a modern day necessity. Virtually all new housing developments incorporate central heating systems as a stock fixture within the dwelling.
The value of central heating systems is fully realised in winter although most are also used to furnish hot water every day of the year. Heating your household provides a restful and cosy aura. Hot water production is another essential role in the life of a central heating system. As heating and hot water are essentials your system needs to be dependable. You want to fit the central heating system to your family requirements so that it both meets your requirements and uses gas efficiently.
There are two primary forms of Central Heating System; pumped/vented and sealed systems.
The most usual type is a pumped or vented system. A feed and expansion tank is incorporated into this form of central heating system alongside a hot water cylinder. Water expands when warmed and the expansion tank allows for this. The expansion tank is placed high up in the house often in the loft.
If you purchase a new dwelling house you may now find that it contains a sealed central heating system. Sealed systems have fewer elements having no need for the water expansion tank. The water for a sealed Central Heating System is supplied direct from the primary water supply. It feeds directly from the primary water supply. There are no tanks or copper piping in the loft, seaing the system and removing the need to vent the hot water has some advantages:
- as the pipework is removed from the attic it will not be in danger of freezing in the winter
- there are fewer system elements reducing any maintenance requirements
- less piping and seals to leak
- as the system is sealed there is less chance of air entry leading to corroding or airlocks
A sealed system accommodates variances in pressure in the water supply by employing a water pressure vessel. Safety valves open if the inner pressure is too high. Other automated valves open to allow the inner water to be topped up if it drops to low.