Linking Multi Fuel and Gas Boilers

[KayA]

I have a Parkray solid fuel/multi fuel central heating/domestic water heating system with solar powered domestic water system. The Parkray is only 2-3 years old and I have just spent money re-lining the chimney. Whilst I like this heating system, I recognize that as I am getting older, the manual effort makes it less attractive. Hence, I am about to have installed a gas boiler (by British Gas) to take over most of the central heating/domestic water heating but do not want to abandon the Parkray system, but keep it as a back-up (for gas boiler break downs or interruptions in gas supplies) and "feature" system.

I know it is feasible to join up the systems, e.g using H2 panel, a heat store system, etc, but I am having problems finding any plumbers/ heating engineers prepared to advise/undertake this work. British Gas say they are not prepared to undertake the work, and I am concerned about back up to the H2 panel as it seems too specialized (only one person designing, installing and maintaining them) and too expensive!

 

[maisie the ugly]

Hello, yes you can link your boiler using a dunsley neutralizer, web site here www.dunsleyheat.co.uk/linkupsys.htm .
Have done my multifuel stove and my brothers, works very well, I am not a gas safe plumber but have done the water side to the central heating myself.

 

[tamz]

As Maisie said a dunsley is the easiest way to do it (correctly) but BG won't do it. Find an independent plumber/heating engineer and they will sort it out.

 

[KayA]

Thanks Maisie & Tamz. I did look at Dunsley but then I found a lot of negative feed back on the web so was not sure what to do.

Also, I have been unable to find a plumber/engineer in this area (Bedford) who has even heard of Dunsley, let alone installed one! And Dunsley do not provide a list of approved installers.

So, if anyone knows of a qualified plumber/engineer in the Bedford/Milton Keynes/Luton even South Cambs area that does this work, I would appreciate a heads-up.

 

[maisie the ugly]

Hi KayA
I brought mine of ebay, you my find some heating installers will not install the dunsley as it`s not as straight forward as a normal boiler install, my brother inlaw who is a heating engineer laughed when I told him what i was going to do, but when I completed it and showed him, he was quite impressed, I`m in Northampton so if you want to have a look you are more than welcome.

 

[Robtheplumb]

As Maisie said a dunsley is the easiest way to do it (correctly) but BG won't do it. Find an independent plumber/heating engineer and they will sort it out.

Easy? You think?? I have fitted 2 and both were a pain. Why don't you look at a thermal store, lot easyer to fit, mains pressure hot water and you don't get a cupboard full of pipes.

 

[moony]

thermal store would be the easiest but most expensive - ive done a couple of neutrilisers and centralisers - both on pressurised and vented systems - theres a lot to it and not for the faint hearted imo and definately not for the diyer - heat leaks - pipe stats - n/o divertor valves - pumps etc etc - although the dunlsey neutrilser would be cheaper than the thermal store in materials - it depends on the labour costs.

anyway find someone who specialises in rayburns, log burners etc and then ask them if they dont do it they should know someone who does.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

you could also have a twin coil cylinder but i dont know if that would work with solar

 

[Robtheplumb]

you could also have a twin coil cylinder but i dont know if that would work with solar

You would need three coils, Thats a lot of coil in a cylinder!!!!

 

[tamz]

Easy? You think?? I have fitted 2 and both were a pain. Why don't you look at a thermal store, lot easyer to fit, mains pressure hot water and you don't get a cupboard full of pipes.

No more difficult than anything else to fit and you get the same cupboard full of pipes with a heat bank.
Heatbank (thermal store) is possibly the best set up but it depends on the budget.