robbie

I think I will go to my local plumber/heating place and have a word with them. I am sure they can sort something out for me Thanks for your comments though, very interesting :)

I am trying to come up with a way of ensuring the cold winter temperatures in Limousin dont cause issues with the heating system during the winter months. The house has an oil fired boiler and central heating. One of the rads doesnt work as the inlet valve is stuck shut but the pipes go through this room and air it anyway (a job marked for the summer). It might be more feasable to install a timer on the oil boiler somehow (I have posted the question on here). The problem is that it might run out of oil as I am unsure how much the system takes to run it. If I set this with a thermostat too (one that has a frost setting), then it should stop it coming on if the heat is warm enough in the house so even if I dont go back until spring, the boiler wont keep kicking in just because the timer is set and the temperature is warm. I am of course open to suggestions to resolve the dilemma :)

just to change tac a little on this thread. I have just bought our first house in france which does have central heating and a seperate electric hot water tank. The oil burner for the heating does not heat the water tank. I have a few questions:- 1. Do the hot water tanks all have prepared connectors for utilising the oil boiler or are there two types, one with connections and one without, similar to the UK where you have tanks without the coils or with. 2. The central heating boiler is manually switched on via what looks like a two pole switch on the wall alongside the boiler. I would like to place a timer device on this to allow me to keep the house aired while we are not there during the winter. What would a typical current be for the boiler?? Can I purchase a timer from the UK without contravening any French rules/Regs/Insurance. I have no issue in completing the timer install, just need to know I can do it with stuff I know and this thread suggests it is cheaper from the UK too) 3. Would the timer be used to directly switch on the boiler in line from the two pole switch?? It seems simpler in the UK as you have clearly defined connections on the boilers and it is the first time I have worked on oil fired boilers.

Is it feasible to use a oil filled heater in eachof the rooms. My only concern is the cabling in the house. It does have a trip switch so I am not too bothered. Should the existing wires to the power sockets be 2.5mm or could they be 1.5mm?? If there is a possibility that they could be 1.5 then I will have to run some temp wiring for a socket in each room I guess

Would it be possible to use one of the steamers used for wallpaper?? just a thought

thanks all for your responses and of course the safety aspect of all this. I think I will install a totally new flue directly upwards through the bedroom above and then through the roof to a new chimney. I think this is the safest way in the long run. I was originally hoping that I could 'make it fit' but safety has to come first.

Thanks Dave, why can't you go down? I guess there is a reason and I am curious. If I need to be at least the same then would it be possible to run a new flue outside?? All the other points I understand fine, ta ;) The idea is to heat more than one room and run one of the heating fans and piping into the bedrooms above to reduce oil costs for the central heating Rob

I have purchased an insert wood burner and surround and  have a few questions about the installation. It is to replace an older unit which has been removed and is to be installed using an existing brick chimney. The chimney does have a lining and I have been assured by the previous owner that it has been cleaned recently. A few questions which immediately spring to mind are: 1. The outlet on the top of the burner is larger than then the existing chimney insert/flue, can reducers be used safely to connect the two 2. For the flue, can 90 degree bends be used or are there rules on the sharpest angle for the piping? Currently the insert in the existing chimney is lower than the top of the new wood burner position when it is in its surround. 3. Which are the main places for the installation of any heat resistant materials 4 Are their any restrictions on the materials to be used for manufacturing the chimney breast above the actual fire surround. I am sure that the answers will bring more questions unless there is a guide written in English which I could follow. I do consider myself as a more than adequate DIYer (this is my 5th house renovation) but have never needed to install a new burner before  

Thanks Bakerino, I did check out the website and isnt it typical?? The places we fancied havent got vacancies on the dates we want...... but we will keep looking cheers Rob

Hi There, I am looking for a gite with 2 bedrooms for 21st to 30th Sep near Bergerac, Dordogne. It needs to be within 15-20 kms from Bergerac, preferably on the west side, and have a bath available Thanks