Wood burner heating system

[flyingsparks]

Hi all. Firstly let me explain a bit about whats going on. I am a electrician and have just bought a new house (new to me, it was built in the 1940's). We havnt moved in yet, hopefully all signed and sealed and completed in 6 weeks time!

Currently the house has central heating run off a gas fire in the living room with a back boiler. The hot water cylinder is directly above this on the first floor in the airing cupboard. I am not sure (cant remember/didnt really look) but presume it is an indirect cylinder, and it is a vented system currently.

What I want to do is fit a wood burner in the lounge with a back boiler (logs are free for me!) and let that run all my DHW and CH. I would also like to have a gas boiler installed so that if I am away and the mrs doesnt want the hassle of lighting the fire etc etc then she can push a button and use the gas boiler.

I was wondering what the possible options for doing this are? Could I:

1. Use the existing cylinder and use the wood burner to heat the cylinder via the coil and have a normally open valve so if theres a power failure it dumps heat to a radiator. Then have a cylinder stat so once the cylinder is up to temperature it can open a valve to heat radiators if the room stat is calling for heat? Not sure how a gas boiler would be coupled up to this system?)

2. Have a twin coil cylinder and use the wood burner on one coil and the gas boiler on the second coil?

I will get a plumber mate of mine to do any gas works and other certifiable work, and will obviously seek his advice too, but want to know a bit about what I am thinking first really. All work I can do myself like installing pipes etc, I will do as I am pretty competant with a blow torch and have some common sense!

Thanks for your help! Chris

 

[Norcon]

You might be able to do a straight swap with very little pipe work alterations. The flow might need raised to accomodate the gravity circuit to accomodate the larger dimensions of the stove.

I just did one in a property that was plumbed in the seventies that has a real gem of a pipework configuration. A real beauty.
Its not in any of the text books.
Its a credit to the guys of that era!

And just finished a detailed cad laminated schematic to give to the current owner to future proof against any subsequent owners being hamstrung with head scratching course cowboys.
Sorry I can't post it up here even though it would only take me a few minutes.

Woodwarm have a few good schematics though which will do.

Click on the (pm286) pdf here also....................
http://www.stovax.com/stoves/tradit...es/boilers_stoves/technical_stockton_8hb.aspx

Let me know if you want the woodwarm pdf info also.

 

[Onetap]

Read this, most of it's in there;
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/link_up.pdf

Stand by for the standard "rip it out, you'll get fed up' too dirty, etc., " from DC.

 

[John67]

Install thermal store, I wont do them any other way.

 

[flyingsparks]

Thanks guys those links look good will have a proper look at them when I get home and will let you know what I think I could do! Much appreciated.

 

[DeltaT2]

I'd give Woodwarm a very good look FS, great appliances.
Don't get carried away with fancy link-up systems if your main heating source is going to be the stove. A gas boiler can be incorperated quite cheaply. The object is to ensure primary water is not circulated through the SF boiler when the gas boiler is operating.
HTH

 

[flyingsparks]

How about using a Dunsley Neutaliser to combine the solid fuel and gas boilers?

http://www.dunsleyheat.co.uk/layout.htm

Good idea?

 

[Nige F]

I just did one in a property that was plumbed in the seventies that has a real gem of a pipework configuration. A real beauty.
.

Probably one of mine

 

[DeltaT2]

How about using a Dunsley Neutaliser to combine the solid fuel and gas boilers?

http://www.dunsleyheat.co.uk/layout.htm

Good idea?

Why bother with the expence, when you could employ the services of a time-served artisan, who'd fit a couple of non-return valves & circulation pump & Bob is a close relative??

Anyone else notice how the BOFS & Google monkies don't reply to a thread of this nature!!!