What is a Rayburn?
A Rayburn is a cast-iron range cooker, made by Aga Rayburn, Rayburn have been around for over 70 years and in that time have made a range of models to suit all applications.
What heats A Rayburn?
Rayburn cookers can be heated by solid fuel, gas or oil. Can be a cooker only, or can do cast iron cooking, heating and hot water for your home. All wrapped up in a nice enamelled front and top. Making quite a striking impression in the heart of your kitchen.
How does A Rayburn work?
Let’s forget about the cooker only model Rayburn as those do what they say on the tin. A Cooker and boiler model Rayburn is basically 2 appliances in one.
How does a solid fuel Rayburn work?
A solid fuel Rayburn has a firebox where you light your fire and add wood or coal, the appliance has 2 settings on the front which physically move a damper inside the flue ways of the cooker. There is one setting which directs the heat over the ovens and the other setting forces the heat through the boiler to heat the water.
How does a gas Rayburn work?
A gas Rayburn has 2 separate burners, two sets of controls and either can work independently of each other. Meaning the boiler side can be on and heating your home without having the whole appliance on or vice versa.
How does A oil-fired Rayburn work?
An oil-fired Rayburn works much the same way as its gas counterpart, the difference being the fuel used to supply the heat and the mechanics of how the burner works. The Rayburn still has two separate burners that can be used independently of each other.
How does a Rayburn heat my home?
The Rayburn will be installed with a hot water cylinder and a header tank in the loft. The heat generated in the Rayburn heats the water inside the pipes which then travels up to the cylinder. The heated water is then pumped around the system and diverted (motorised valves) either round your heating system, where it emits heat through your radiators. Or round the hot water cylinder, where the heat is transferred and heats your water.
What happens if you want to remove your Rayburn and have a boiler installed?
Because with a Rayburn all your eggs are in one basket, it can be a bit more complex than just removing the cooker and installing a new one.
Converting from a Rayburn to combi boiler?
To convert your home heating system from a Rayburn to a combi boiler there are 2 main things you need to consider. Removing the Rayburn from your kitchen is half of it, you then need to think about what you are going to use as a cooker. You also need to have space elsewhere in your home for a combi boiler to be installed.
Converting from a Rayburn to a regular boiler?
If you are keeping the hot water and heating system the same, you are happy with the hot water performance and would like to keep your tank and hot water cylinder. A regular boiler is probably the best solution in this case. You would remove the Rayburn and replace the heat source. With a regular or (heat-only boiler).
Converting from a Rayburn to a system boiler?
If you live in a home with multiple bathrooms and a high level of hot water usage, then depending on the incoming water main to your property, a system boiler and an Unvented hot water cylinder is always the best solution.
As long as the pressure and flow rates are sufficient then this is by far the best system for larger properties.
Once you have decided to get rid of the Rayburn, you have chosen another cooking source and have space for a boiler, you then need to find a local reputable engineer that is familiar with cast iron range cookers as well as boiler installations.
Where to put your new boiler if you remove your Rayburn?
If you are replacing an oil-fired Rayburn then a good solution can be to fit an external boiler. (Which is exactly what it sounds like) An external oil boiler is a purpose-built machine that is intended to be installed externally to your property.
If you are replacing a gas Rayburn and going down the route of a combination boiler then utilising the space in your airing cupboard can be a good option. Once the Rayburn is gone you don’t need the storage tanks in your loft or the hot water cylinder in your airing cupboard. This means you don’t gain any space, but at the same time, you don’t lose any space to a new boiler either.
If you are replacing the whole system and upgrading to something like a system boiler and unvented cylinder then the world is your oyster, the garage can be a good solution to keep all the workings of your heating system in one place.
What type of boiler do I need?
If you are thinking about replacing your Rayburn and would like some more information or even just some friendly advice then we are always happy to help