How to Install Central Heating: 8 Steps (with Pictures …

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Installing central heating is a difficult job and one that requires careful planning and a sound understanding of the necessary materials. Though it's possible to perform a large part of installing central heating yourself such as selecting the boiler and radiators, laying the pipes, and even installing the control system, you'll need a certified contractor to connect the boiler to the gas supply and check the entire system to see if it's safe to use and if it will effectively heat your home. The following steps will show you how to install central heating based on a gas boiler.

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Buy all necessary parts to install central heating.

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Install the radiators. They'll need to be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) from the floor to leave room for the valves to the pipes and allow for cleaning. Install a wheel valve on the flow connection and a lock shield valve on the return connection. This allows you to regulate the water flow.

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Lay the pipes from the radiators and faucets to the boiler. You'll need copper pipes with either compression or capillary joints. Make sure the pipes vent to the radiators in order to avoid air locks and malfunctioning of the system.

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Install the control system. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

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Shut off the water and gas supply and install the boiler. Again, follow all of the manufacturer's instructions. Remember to have a certified contractor perform the connection to the gas main.

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Commission the central heating system by closing all of the vents on the radiators, filling the system with water and allowing each radiator to vent through. Activate the heating pump and re-vent the system. Then switch on the boiler and balance the flow of heated water to each radiator by using the lock shield valves.

How can I adjust the heat on my radiators?

wikiHow Contributor

Thermostatic valves, while a bit more pricey, allow fine temperature control in each room.

How do I protect children from touching pipes from central heating?

wikiHow Contributor

Get a new boiler or exchange it for a higher boiler or put a protection cover on all the pipes.

Do you need to shut off the electric to do this?

wikiHow Contributor

You need to isolate the mains to which the boiler will be connecting. Boilers typically need hard wiring instead of a plug.

How do I know what the flow or return is on existing pipework?

wikiHow Contributor

Switch on the central heating and check the radiator pipework at the valves. The first pipe to get warm is the flow.

Can a boiler condenser pipe be plastered in a wall?

wikiHow Contributor

Yes, it can be plastered onto a wall, but it has to be near the boiler. It's recommended that you place it below the boiler if possible when installing a new boiler or to an existing boiler.

How long should I leave the cleaning agent in the radiator system?

wikiHow Contributor

When you add the cleaning agent to your power flushing system, it creates a circulation through all the radiators in your house. This means the cleaning agent travels through each radiator pipe and gets rid of excess in the power flushing machine, such as sludge. There is not a fixed time for the cleaning agent: it's done after most of the sludge has been removed, ensuring good flow.

Is it OK to install the pipes from the boiler to the radiators at ceiling height in a bungalow?

wikiHow Contributor

No. Pipes that go from the boiler to the radiators should always travel beneath the floor boards to ensure that there is no danger of a gas leak or coming into contact with the pipes while they are hot.

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