Not strictly part of the loft conversion, but very closely related. Two of the biggest things in the loft currently, taking up our valuable space are the header tank for the hot water and the central heating. They have to go. We have two options: 1. we tuck them away under the eaves; 2. we change the central heating and hot water system to one that doesn't require header tanks - we've gone with option 2. We're going to get a combination boiler installed, which heats the hot water straight from the mains and uses a pressurised system for the radiators, removing the need for a tank. The only issue is that Stortford has extremely hard water - total hardness of 345 mg/l - which could cause problems for such a boiler. There are magnetic gismos that are supposed to prevent the limescale from sticking, but as this boiler is going to cost in the region of £1000 and another couple to have it fitted, I don't want to take any chances. So I've bought a water softener, which I installed last weekend. I have to say that I wasn't too proud of my work - I had to re-solder at least 4 joints, and it took me an entire weekend to get a satisfactory job - but I now have a working water softener under my sink and we are benefitting from lovely soft water everywhere except in the kitchen. Next task is to get the plumber round to tell me exactly what that boiler is going to cost and when he can fit it.
