The snug is probably the oldest part of the old-house,
in early years (possibly 17th Century) there was a chimney with a room above.
The beam over the fireplace was examined for 'Witches marks' though decided they were probably from a previous use for plaster.
Primary WINTER heating system for the old House is the LOG Burner. Restructuring to use a heat pump is a new challenge.
In 2024/2025 I used Fan heaters a lot. Tut Tut.
Difficult to get all the history from what we find today. Mostly rebuilt in 2012.
The chimney lined with a ChinaMans hat on top. (to discourage birds).
Chimney swept every 2 or 3 years depending on usage.
Suspect another minor air ingress from the Bread Oven.
Log Burner Specification : Dunsley, single door, flat top, with added air feed route.
KW max 16, roughly output 3 or 4 to room, 12 or 13 to hot water and then to UFH.
Works well, with an 8 hour burn, it can heat the Hot Water Eco-cat tank and the undefloor slab; that can last 3 days.
Obviously need Ash disposal, MUST be COLD, even if windy used a suitable cardboard box going to dustbin.
There were initial problems - if using coal, the riddle bars warped - but were replaced with Stainless steel.
Only use various wood now, this is no longer an issue. - Who wants to use coal anyway ?
The air route draws from the extension lower hall. Avoids drafts in the snug.
The MVHR ventilation(assume constantly on) can easily cope with that air being drawn from the extension.
Pump management is still manual, though could be automated.
The most obvious problem is that the EcoCat management system cannot light the log burner !
In Early 2025 the process was:
Light the fire and wait until is hot. It'll make noises if getting too hot. See the Elitech thermal monitors for understanding state of system.
When fire is hot, circa 70 DegC, top pipe output, then start the pumps to circulate water to EcoCat. Switch lower left of the tank, low furthest.
When Tank is hot enough, start the pumps to the UFH.
The ECOcat controller gets involved a little bit here. Switched from midway up RHS of plant cupboard above the UFH mainifold.
Note the UFH circuit to snug is normally off, as Log Burner will heat that room.
Sit Back, grab a beer, watch a DVD, KEEP feeding fuel to fire.
