Heating in an Extension

[MissingDietCoke]

We are about to embark on a large two storey extension to our 4 bed detached 70s house. Currently the house is a single pipe heating system and we had costed for a new system boiler to replace our current combi as there will be another bathroom. The builder has now told us that there is no guarantee the new boiler will work with the old single pipe heating system.

Other than ripping apart the whole house to install a double pipe system (so costly as well as the massive disruption and damage to existing flooring/walls) what other options do we have?

Is it a possibility to electrically heat the extension so therefore outside of the existing system? Underfloor heat the whole new section of the house? Has anyone else experienced this and found a solution?

Thanks in advance.

Honestly I would bite the bullet and amend the one pipe system as far as is possible. While the house is being amended and trades will be onsite anyway.

Talk to a couple more recommended plumbers as there may be a solution. But I'd bite the bullet as above and change it all.

We had to change the microbore piping in our house as the radiators were all gunged up - and change the radiators. There was a fair amount of taking up of carpets and floorboards but it's all gone back OK.

It helps that we are redecorating and recarpeting the whole house anyway after our extension has been completed.

Sounds like one for @pigletjohn

energy from electricity costs about four times as much as energy from gas, so scrap the electric heating idea.

Yes, dump the one-pipe and leap forward into the 1970's.

you are having a lot of work done, so get the plumbing improved while you're at it.

lifting a few carpets and floorboards is not "ripping the house apart."