tradesman qualifications

[what..the?]

For my project in excess of £100k I need a roofer, builder, electrican and plumber, I am asking local tradesmen to quote so I can compare but what qualifications do I need to ask for or check for the various trades?

[AlBags]

I have answers, but I'll let Sherrard do some work : )

[what..the?]

lol

[AlBags]

(I just replaced a Boulter Oil Boiler for a friend, buy we have done the figures concerning a pellet wood boiler) Already timber (especially hardwood) is the cheapest method BTU per pound, and with the new government kickback .. one would be very cheap to run.

[sherrardk]

Hi what-the. Husband not around at the moment but I will tell you what I know. You can get a multi-fuel stove and then you can burn wood, pellets, coal, etc (it's to do with the grate thing inside). Yoy can run a back boiler and one or two radiators off certain stoves but my problem with this is justifying the cost of a back-boiler stove with the amount of water/additional heating you could generate given that you would have to have another, conventional boiler to heat the rest of the house and for heat/water in the summer.

Another consideration is that the style of stove would be more limited as not all stoves are produced as back boiler stove options. You also don't want a stove that is too hot for the space or not hot enough. Someone can give you a quote and tell you the size of stove you need for the space you've got. Some of the more expensive ones come with a sliding gizmo which allows you to control the heat to some degree as they can be ferociously hot.

[what..the?]

yes I have heard about the option to alter heat output slightly which interests me def.

Yes we have currently 3 bed property moving possibly to a 5 bed with two extra reception rooms after possible loft conversion and extension, so it sounds unlikely to heat the radiators. So if it's just the hot water, how much hot water would an average sized model create and how long would it stay hot? Morning? I guess it might need additional heat by morning to bring it up to the right temp. If you used the water straight away as the fires on would it be hot enough?

[AlBags]

If you do not like Combis .. and need hot water capacity, I would be utilising a fully-pumped system, wood or oil condensing boiler, and a dual system connected to storage cylinder that can run a wood-burner in addition to the standard boiler.
On a new-build .. or full upgrade, this is not so bad to achieve.
The system is just a bit complex as traditionally, back boilers need an expansion/header tank. Fully pumped now use a pressure vessel with no header tank.

[AlBags]

I'ts important to size the wood burner appropriately, as damping has varying results on output .. altough the better stoves (like Valor) have better control.
In an average sized living room, anything over 6Kw will blow you away .. unless heat is going elsewhere.

[sherrardk]

Apparently the Europeans don't always put them in the living room like we would, they would have them placed where the heat can spread the most. They can be a bit too hot in some rooms if you don't get the right sized one for the space.

[what..the?]

I get confused between a combi and a condensing and what they do.

- OH wants power showers

- And I see the sense in heating water only when I need it, wondering if this is more cost effective than having hot water sat round in tanks unused as have two showers and wash the dishes once a day only, but worry if the water would be hot enough.

[what..the?]

yes we are fitting it in the only hearth with chimney left in the house as the other is being removed to make room from an extension. Maybe we could try and keep the other hearth functioning by directing the chimney else where as this is in the centre of the house and the heat may spread more? As these are rooms we would use a lot we don't want the heat to over powering

[AlBags]

Combi only produces hot water on demand .. with a few minor exceptions .. do not store any.
Condensing boilers are a standard boiler with a second heat exchanger (and an improved primary one) designed to be more efficient. Norm now in new build.
If you want Pumped Showers .. you will need a cylinder .. and a large or siamesed header tank. How about a central large Hot & Cold Dual Power Pump? You can run a few showers .. any turned on will activate the pump.

[sherrardk]

You can put a stove almost anywhere if you use a rigid flue - I think these might be more expensive but it means you can have your stove wherever you want it. However, you might not like the 'look' if the house is traditional.

[what..the?]

http://www.worcester-...hat-is-a-combi-boiler

reading here it would suggest with a combi I can have quite strong showers as well as my efficentcy requirements but everyone compains about combi boilers, I need to do my research.

[sherrardk]

For an example, search the net for Heta stoves -the one for the Komfort shows a rigid flue (I can't give you the link I used as it is our website and it might be seen as advertising!).

[what..the?]

def something to look at though I like the 'central location' concept it makes sense will have to look into the concept with firms that I get to come and quote.

[bednobs]

i have a combi and it is fab (oil fired)

[The Builder]

Hi Whatie........... Al and Sherrard know a lot more about heating systems than I do.
I just wanted to say I couldn't agree more with Al's way of beginning a job. That's exactly what I do ......... finance it myself up to say, £1,000 ....... maybe more if it's a friend/good regular customer. It shows committment, and it's much more professional. Re what I was saying earlier .......... it helps to remove any of the usual "rip-off" prejudice that clients may have. The client starts the job "in credit" so to speak.

[AlBags]

No Combi will do a decent job of running a decent power shower head. Even an over-sized Valliant .. good as they are.
You would need electric Mira Sports or similar.

[what..the?]

thanks builder :)

[what..the?]

bednobs can I ask?

how bigs your house?
what are you hot water/heating requirements?
what model boiler is it?

Thanks in advance