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Gas water heating

AncientMariner

Back in the late 1960s there was a company, Servowarm (not related to the current central heating company of the same name) which used to sell gas central heating systems which consisted of a Master Radiator - which had a built in gas boiler, plus pipework to other radiators.  They advertised in the south London area at least.  My late aunt had such a system installed which, hence the reason for this post, included a very small balance flue gas boiler fitted in the airing cupboard which was coupled to the existing hot water tank (I say tank because it was a rectangular galvanised steel tank rather than a copper cylinder. It had a 'manhole' access lid on the front). It was a gravity system there was no pump and no connection to the Master Radiator downstairs.

Question is, are such similar water heaters still available?  It was certainly small, there was not that much space in the airing cupboard and if my memory is correct it was fitted below the shelves above the tank.

Clive

  • 0

    Not sure I know the boiler you refer to. But replacing a boiler is notifiable and the system would need to be upgraded to fully pumped with time and temperature controls to heating and hot water. Might be time for a combi. Also the old boiler might have asbestos seals.

  • 0

    If I have the right picture, the hot water only boilers that I recall were only a few kW - a sort of gas fired immersion heater power level. If yours had a balanced flue it was quite modern, more usual would have been to take room air and to have a simple external flue, probably in asbestos cement piping. They also used to turn up heating tanks for washrooms in village halls and similar places. The competition in that sort of setting and student digs was the Ascot  instant water heater,

    rather higher powered but no storage tank needed, also open flued, made famous on 'that's life' because of the propensity for gassing people in their bathrooms when folk decided to draught proof the windows.
    But to fail to answer your question, I have not seen anything like either kind  for years and I suspect you will be told it is illegal to install one in  a house now.

    The nearest is probably either webasto heaters used in lorries or the small modular  boilers seen in caravans. But that would be propane.
    mike

  • 0 in reply to OlympusMons

    I had forgotten about the Building Regs requirements, so my idea to help an elderly relative out is a no-no.  There existing system is a 1970s style gas boiler with cast iron heat exchanger and a pumped heating and hot water system. Unfortunately the copper cylinder has a water-to-water heat exchanger fitted in the immersion heater threaded boss, so cannot easily fit an immersion heater, which would be ideal for use during the non-space heating months.

    Clive

  • 0

    The brave may be able to add an additional immersion boss for a short heater.   https://www.bes.co.uk/immersion-heater-ring-flange-6912/

    for example. Does need a tank that is in good nick that can be drained down and polished up  so it will take a good solder fillet.

    Mike.

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    I'm not that brave!  I'm not sure if besides the water-to-water heat exchanger, that the cylinder coil is used by a back boiler in the Aga?

    But maybe a https://www.stevensonplumbing.co.uk/willis-external-immersion-heater.html could be the answer?

    Just need to find a handy 13 amp capable supply....

    Clive

  • 0 in reply to AncientMariner

    Install it the right way up or it will be short lived ;-)

    Installation pics

    But I had forgotten about those note the willis pipes need to be small bore compared to the tank pipes or turning on the taps sucks cold through the willis and misses out the cylinder completely.

    Mike.

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