3563 Heating System in Winter in Empty House

We are buying a house near Amandola just on the outskirts of the Sibilini National Park - wonderful views.

We know the temperatures in the winter can get very cold, and are wondering what to do with the heating whilst away in the UK for (we may not be there for much of the winter this year or next).

The heating system looks new - though hasn't been used for a while. Oil fired boiler and radiators - looks like a presurrised system judging by red expansion tank and pressure gauge. Does anyone know whether we will need to drain the system if the house is being left unheated - to avoid freezing and burst pipes?

if no one has been to the house since 2003 although it is furnished etc. and it would appear there is water in the system.

Also if anyone knows of a good heating engineer who can check the system over for us - would be grateful.

Robert

Category
Building/Renovation

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/07/2006 - 03:27

Most houses that are left empty over the winter usually put antifreeze in the radiators. Don't know what percentage tho or if it matters, you need to ask your geometra or idraulico(plumber).

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/08/2006 - 04:14

For the first 2 winters I drained the central heating system but this year still had to replace a radiator that had 'burst' [it was an old radiator, so could have been just past its' sell-by date] - so when the Idraulico came and fitted a new one, he added antifreeze so the system is supposedly 'safe' between 120C and minus 45C.

Still will drain the cold/hot water systems though.