Can a regular boiler work as a system boiler?

[MM33]

Hi,

I am buying a house, it has an Ideal heat only boiler installed, this model specifically (H24):
https://idealboilers.com/new-build/products/logic-heat

The seller told me that it is a system boiler. However on Ideal's website it is classified as a heat only boiler.

Is it possible to use a heat only boiler in a system configuration?

Thanks.

 

[ianmcd]

It is not a system boiler , it is a heat only boiler, a system boiler has an expansion vessel and a pump , a heat only relies on external controls and expansion vessel stuff and an external pump

 

[gasmanstu72]

some people call heat only boilers system boilers.

i worked with a guy for years who would call a heat only conventional boiler a system boiler, it was either a system boiler or a combi with him

 

[MM33]

Newbie question: How do both types differ ? Is one better than the other ?

 

[ianmcd]

all depends on your own set up, every system requires some kind of expansion, either a tank or a vessel all systems require a pump, a system boiler has a pump and expansion vessel built in, a heat only boiler is just a heat engine and does not have either built in

 

[JohnD]

If you are handy, a regular boiler might suit you more than a system, because it has fewer parts built into it, so you don't need to be an RGI to fix or replace them.

 

[ianmcd]

If you are handy, a regular boiler might suit you more than a system, because it has fewer parts built into it, so you don't need to be an RGI to fix or replace them.

sorry JohnD I dont get what you are saying here ? any gas boiler requires a RGI to carry out any work on any gas boiler, regardless of whether it be a system, Heat only or Combi boiler ???

 

[JohnD]

I mean, for example, if the pump and 3-port valve are outside the boiler, they don't need an RGI to replace them.

 

[MM33]

Does a regular boiler require a water feed, tank or store of any sort when paired with an indirect unvented cylinder or is the mains water pressure enough or maybe it requires an external pump?

 

[fezster]

Unless space is at a premium, I'd prefer a heat only boiler with an external expansion vessel and pump in a sealed configuration. Makes replacing items far simpler. Replacement items are usually cheaper - eg. The expansion vessel for most system boilers is far more expensive than a generic replacement.

 

[bernardgreen]

I'd prefer a heat only boiler with an external expansion vessel and pump in a sealed configuration.

I agree, but add that a hot water cylinder would be needed for supplying hot water. The cylinder heated by a coil from the boiler or ( when the boiler fails ) by an immersion heater.

Not sure that being sealed and pressurised is a good idea if there is space for a header tank in the loft. Trivial leaks in the heating system ( pipes and radiators etc ) can cause loss of pressure and the need to re-pressurise the system if the boiler expects a minimum pressure to be present before it will fire up.

( I am aware that frequent re-pressurising is ( claimed to be ) a good indication of there being minor leaks that are otherwise unseen )

 

[fezster]

I agree, but add that a hot water cylinder would be needed for supplying hot water. The cylinder heated by a coil from the boiler or ( when the boiler fails ) by an immersion heater.

Which is no different to a system boiler. Not sure how this is relevant?

 

[bernardgreen]

Not sure how this is relevant?

You didn't mention how hot water would be provided, hence my comment about the cylinder.

The main difference between "system" and heat only is that the pump and other parts are integral to the boiler and this can restrict the system designer to be "compliant" to the boiler. When using a heat only boiler the system designer has far more freedom about choice of pump(s) valves etc etc

 

[FiremanT]

Not sure that being sealed and pressurised is a good idea if there is space for a header tank in the loft.

Anyone doubting that Bernie is an idiot just needs to read this

 

[bernardgreen]

Anyone doubting that Bernie is an idiot

Can you provide a detailed explanation of why you consider my opinion to be "worthy" of an insult. ?

I expect your training, like that of many other "professionals", concentrated only the latest technology and probably dismissed vented systems as being old fashioned, out of date and hence systems that are not worth considering in the training curriculum.