Central Heating Services

Complete Central Heating Solutions

Central heating is more than just a boiler. The pipework, radiators, pump, expansion vessel, system controls, and zone valves all need to work together efficiently. When one element is undersized, poorly designed, or failing, the whole system suffers — rooms are slow to heat, energy bills rise, and the boiler works harder than it should.

EMCO Plumbing designs and installs complete central heating systems for homes and light commercial premises. We also repair and upgrade existing systems that are underperforming — whether through adding additional radiators, improving zoning controls, or carrying out a power flush to remove sludge that is blocking flow and reducing efficiency.

Central Heating Services

New Central Heating System Installation

For properties that do not currently have central heating — older homes with storage heaters, newly converted properties, or extensions requiring a new heating circuit — EMCO Plumbing designs and installs a complete wet central heating system. This includes the boiler, all pipework, radiators, controls, and commissioning. We provide a full specification with sizing calculations before any work starts.

Central Heating System Upgrade

Upgrading an existing but inefficient system is one of the best investments many homeowners can make. We replace outdated boilers with new A-rated condensing models, upgrade gravity-fed systems to sealed pressurised systems, install programmable room thermostats and TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves), and add zone controls to allow different parts of the house to be heated independently.

Radiator Installation and Replacement

Adding radiators to new rooms, replacing older radiators with larger or more efficient models, or converting a room to underfloor heating — EMCO Plumbing handles all radiator-related work. We size radiators correctly for each room's heat loss and ensure the existing system can deliver adequate flow to new additions.

Power Flushing

Over time, central heating systems accumulate iron oxide sludge (sometimes called magnetite) and limescale that reduce efficiency, cause cold spots on radiators, and put additional strain on the boiler and pump. A power flush uses a specialised pump and cleaning chemicals to remove this contamination and restore the system to near-new condition.

Signs your system may benefit from a power flush include: radiators cold at the bottom or in the middle, boiler making a kettling (rumbling) noise, dark water when bleeding radiators, or the system taking a long time to heat up from cold. Power flushing typically costs £300–£500 depending on the number of radiators, and it is usually recommended before installing a new boiler on an older system.

Magnetic System Filter Installation

A magnetic filter (such as a Magnaclean or Fernox TF1) catches iron oxide particles in the system water before they can accumulate in the boiler heat exchanger. Fitting one is strongly recommended when installing a new boiler and is often a warranty requirement. We fit magnetic filters as standard on new boiler installations and offer retrofitting on existing systems.

Smart Thermostat and Heating Controls

Modern heating controls can significantly reduce energy consumption by learning your schedule, adjusting for weather forecasts, and providing room-by-room control. We install Hive, Nest, Tado, and Honeywell smart thermostats, including full setup and integration with your existing system.

Is Your Heating System Working Efficiently?

A central heating system that is more than 10 years old is likely running less efficiently than it should. The combination of sludge build-up, worn pump bearings, and an ageing boiler can mean you are spending 20–30% more on gas than necessary to heat your home. A system health check from one of our engineers — covering the boiler, controls, and radiator output — can identify what is costing you money and what it would cost to fix.

Pricing Guide

• Power flush (up to 10 radiators): from £300
• Power flush (10+ radiators): from £400
• Magnetic filter installation: from £120 fitted
• Single radiator installation: from £185
• Thermostatic radiator valve replacement (per valve): from £55
• Smart thermostat installation (supply and fit): from £175
• New heating zone valve: from £140
• Full central heating installation: quoted after survey