master of none

Thanks for the continued responses.  I have undertaken further research and it would appear that I could combine two heat sources, using a cylinder with two independent coils but the Rayburn should be ‘dominant’ by zoning the other heat source.  This only applies to hot water and each source should still have its own header tank etc.

Hello Jondeau, thanks for the reply.  The general consensus is that the French do not allow open vented systems, maybe the example you mentioned is a ‘well established’ system and predates current regulations.  Obviously if I was to install an open vented system with a ballvalve the concerns you mentioned re: overheating in the event of a leak would be mitigated by the continuos flow via the header tank, depending on the nature of the leak and albeit with water damage implications, as I remember from my childhood when our backboiler burst during the night! With regard to combining the two heat sources, I did wonder, apart from the overheating issues what the implications would be re: ‘fluid dynamics’ if, as it is likely, the heat sources were at opposite ends of the house inevitably there would be the potential for flow conflict but maybe this could be resolved using some kind of valve system.  This is probably the point where the experts start telling me to leave well alone as I’m out of my depth but I did say that I was only thinking out aload!  

Sorry to rake over old ashes (pun intended) but I would like to get some clarification and further advice on multifuel/wood burning central heating systems.  I have a Rayburn mulitfuel cooker that will, as you know, also heat water and run a few rads. and this is my intention  The manufacturer clearly recommend that the water heating system should be a vented, open system, how can I safely adapt this to comply with French requirements demanding an unvented closed system?  I did read a little about the French equivalent of a header tank, minus ballvalve, can anyone expand on this (that pun wasn’t intended!).   It is my intention to store the hot water in an indirect/vented cylinder,  this also incorporates an electric heating element for when the multi fuel heating is not in use.  There will be at least one ‘open’ rad./towel rail to dissipate heat from the system.   Just to make matters a little more interesting (well I think so!), I am also intending to install a stove which I also already have, it is a Aarow Hamlet (6.5kw) multifuel stove which has the capability to heat water/rads. (with clip-in boiler (two outlets)) should we wish to.   This will be installed at the opposite end of an adjacent room.  Would there be any feasible method of combining these two heat sources for reasons of flexibility and/or extra capacity re: heating water/rads.?  Both manufacturers of course recommended that the hot water cylinder be position vertically above and as close as possible to the heat source?  Just thinking out load on this one really! But any ideas welcome. 

I get my brother to help with my restoration.... he's now lost his job!!!!  His head is big enough, he just does not have the balance, or the will!

Hello, I'm no expert but I would imagine that the issue is that new regs. require an 'all waters' system and communes are apparently to systimatically apprase all systems to ensure complience, again I believe, due to the size of the task, this is usually done when a planning application is submitted, maybe they have time on their hands! 

Hello all, I've spent all night absorbing info. so I thought I would sign up and but in (lower the tone).  I realise this one may have gone off the boil a little by now (no pun intended (much)) but I have heard of people filling boilers with sand when not in use and disconnected, although I don't know what the long term affects would be and I'm not sure I would feel comfortable doing it.  If you remove the bolted on boiler it is very likely that you would need to replace it with fire brick or equivalent, not too expencive.