Heating systems - linked systems with multifuel stoves?

[zaphod42]

I'm looking at a clean sheet "light project" house - hopefully moving in August, having surveys done at the moment. First things are likely to be the boiler (gas) as it looks like an early 80s model so I'm budgeting to change it. I also want a multi-fuel fire in the front room - chimney is in place (obviously needs testing,etc) to burn wood/smokless/coal.

I would like to get quoted a linked system so that I can feed from a back boiler and from a gas boiler with some intelligence and control. Is it possible to have a system configured to:

• Use gas only hot water in the summer or occasional use
• Heat water in a central tank for heating in the winter both from a back boiler in the multi fuel fire and from the gas heating (or just use gas)

Does anyone have experience of such systems - and more importantly - know a reputable firm in Yorkshire that can quote and advise?

Many thanks!

[Gingerbread Man]

I think you have two options.

Via a Dunsley Baker and hot water cylinder

or

Via the use of a thermal heat store to combine the heat energy produced. It's basicly one big cylinder that becomes the heat source via the input sources e.g. boiler, wood burning stove back boiler, solar etc... can be made to your requirements as different sources go in at different levels on the cylinder.

This heat is then used to heat your house directly, or heat your water indirectly. The cylinder has to be open vented due to the uncontrollable nature of solid fuel burners, so you'll need a tank above the cylinder (normally in the loft).

If you have good mains pressure and flow, you could consider having the hot water mains pressure too meaning a balanced supply with the incoming cold. This would reduce the need for shower pumps.

[Arthur Jackson]

Is it just me or did you just contradict yourself about vented and unvented cylinders?

[Gingerbread Man]

Arthur Jackson said:

Is it just me or did you just contradict yourself about vented and unvented cylinders?

Maybe I worded it badly.

Often you have an indirect setup were a hot water cylinder stores the hot water for the taps. The heat from other sources dissipate their heat into the cylinder (stored hot water) via coils. The water circulating around the boiler/ heating system/ cylinder coils is a separate circuit, so this can be unvented or open vented. Same for the cylinder hot water. 2 circuits.

In a thermal store the water flowing around the heat sources - boiler, back boiler etc... flow in and around the cylinder. This part has to be open vented if an uncontrollable heat source is used e.g. wood burner.
The hot water going to your taps can be fed from your mains, into the cylinder via a coil to absorb heat and back out again. So this can be mains pressure like you'd get with a mega flow/ unvented cylinder setup.

I think I worded it correctly?