Change rad on unvented system

[jonna]

Im planning to remove an existing rad in a bathroom and replace with a towel radiator.

Was going to mount the new rad, fill it in situ, then connect whilst depressurised (without draining the first floor).

I'd have done this myself in the last house, but the place we're in now has an invented system. Question is, should I even attempt this on and invented system or should I get someone qualified in?

 

[Best]

I don't think anyone can understand your wording tbh.
Invented system? Do you mean - Unvented, and if so, on the heating side, or the hot water?
Unvented hot water is nothing to do with the heating system.
Unvented heating system (known as a 'Sealed system"), can be easily worked at when pressure taken off, but only is working on compression joints etc and not soldering

 

[jonna]

Apologies, yes, I did mean my system is an unvented (sealed) heating system. Auto-correct seems to want to change this to 'invented' for some reason.

The question still stands though, should I attempt this job on a sealed system, or does all work require someone certified?

Thanks.

 

[jonna]

Not sure if it's relevant or not but I'm in a new build that has either 8 or 10mm plastic microbore.

 

[moonlight]

Is the space between the old radiator and the new the same size? The old radiator will be fed from the sides the new probably from the bottom. You will most likely need to change the valves to straight ones. With micro bore plastic you will probably have room to manipulate the pipes to get the correct position for the valves. Drop the pressure, fit new valves and then the new towel rail. If you get stuck there is always a professional plumber at the end of the phone.

 

[jonna]

Is the space between the old radiator and the new the same size? The old radiator will be fed from the sides the new probably from the bottom. You will most likely need to change the valves to straight ones. With micro bore plastic you will probably have room to manipulate the pipes to get the correct position for the valves. Drop the pressure, fit new valves and then the new towel rail. If you get stuck there is always a professional plumber at the end of the phone.

The old radiator was fed from the side as you say, but as the new one is a chrome towel radiator, I've bought angled valves and plan to run 15mm copper in the wall, then marry up to the plastic in the wall (I've ripped a vertical section of board out and have studded the wall with timber). Not decided on how I'm going to connect the 15mm to the microbore yet - may use a good quality wras approved isolation valves. Was planning on putting a plasterboard hatch low on the wall to access the fittings at the joint between the pipework....

 

[Old Account]

Hi Jonna,

I would not attempt of installing a rad as you do not seem very confident about it. Why not getting a plumber in to install the missing rad?

But, if you do feel confident then yes just do it as recommended above ( @moonlight ). Do you know how to refill the system afterwards ?

 

[moonlight]

The fitting where the valve is will be 15mm. Not the neatest of jobs but you could fit a compression straight to that. Try not to use isolation valves. Then you could continue in copper.

As Matchless.plumb says do you know how to refill your heating?

 

[jonna]

I wasn't planning on emptying the system. Was going to depressurise it, connect the supply, then repressurise and bleed.

 

[moonlight]

I wasn't planning on emptying the system. Was going to depressurise it, connect the supply, then repressurise and bleed.

Ok I ment repressurise, top up or refill. Same thing.