House plans

[forgetfultel]

I've recently inherited my parent's house (3 bed mid-terrace built around 1960).  There is a boiler (gas fired I think) in the kitchen which I have never known to be switched on, and there is no central heating.  The hot water is supplied by an immersion heater which must be expensive to run, and I remember replacing it once when my father was in hospital.

Does anyone know how to get plans for the house to see what the boiler supplies water to, and whether it can be checked and replaced by something more modern, possibly adding central heating - who do I contact?

[Buenchico]

Finding the plans is likely to prove an impossible task.

Two suggestions:
1. Ask around the neighbours to see if they've got similar systems and can advise you.

2. See if the boiler has it's own stop ****. If it has turn it off, then turn on all the (hot) taps and see which supply dries up.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Afterthought:

3. Add some food dye to the water feeding into, or out of, the boiler and see where it ends up.

Chris

(Oh, I see I've been censored by AB. I'm sure you can work out what the 'rude' word above is !!!)

[forgetfultel]

Thanks Buenchico.

Boiler has never been on as I said, but I know all neighbours have updated/upgraded and added central heating so no help there.

As boiler has never been on, I don't fancy testing it.  It certainly doesn't make any sound when water is on, so I think nothing even passes through it!

[shaunjosh]

If there are no radiators, the boiler will supply the hot water taps only. Since it is not switched on it is probably faulty, hence the use of the immersion heater (which as you said is very expensive compared to gas fired boilers). Immersion heaters are usually installed for "emergency back-up", for times when your boilers goes on the blink. The boiler will probably be connection to the immersion tank, via a flow and return pipes.These pipes flow through either a direct coil or in-direct coil (can't remember which, depends on which type also) and heats up water in the tank. Get a plumber who is CORGI registered to take a look at the boiler and system. The problem may be only a thermo-couple if you are lucky - very cheap to replace.