The primary variants of central heating systems
The primary variants of central heating systems
Before you get a central heating system you need to establish what type of system and central heating boiler you will need. In this section we will discuss that the types of central heating system available to help you fit them to your needs. When you buy a central heating system you are essentially purchasing a collection of different constituents including a central heating boiler and radiators.
Air conditioning systems are not yet a standard feature in households whereas every northern European household is built with a form of central heating. Whether you are looking at a completely new home or an established house one of the features you will need to investigate is its central heating system.
Whilst we tend to forget about the central heating system it will be functioning day-to-day to furnish hot water and comes to the fore in the wintertime when heating your family. Heating your dwelling house provides a restful and cosy ambience. Another important role for the central heating system is to create hot water. For these reasons your central heating system has to be reliable. You should find that your Central Heating System is safe, easy to use and long lasting.
You will find two primary system forms, vented and sealed central heating systems.
Expect to find a pumped/vented central heating system as they are the most common. A feed and expansion tank is incorporated into this type of central heating system alongside a hot water cylinder. The tank makes way for any water expansion that is induced by the heating process. The tank is positioned in the highest place in the house, normally the loft area.
A more modern option is a sealed system. An advantage of a sealed system is that it has no requirement for an expansion tank. The mains water is used to supply the sealed Central Heating System. This frees your attic of the expansion tank and piping, seaing the system and removing the need to vent the hot water has some benefits:
- as the piping is removed from the loft it will not be in danger of freezing in the winter
- there are fewer system component parts reducing any maintenance requirements
- reduces the risk of leaking
- the sealing of the system precludes air entering which could lead to internal corroding or the evolution of an air lock
Normal variances of pressure can be allowed in a sealed system through a pressure vessel that holds compressed gas. Valves allow cold water to enter and top up the system when pressure falls, other safety mechanisms open valves if the inner pressure is to high.