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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Central heating systems

How often Central heating systems comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

OL Asked on 4 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Central heating systems, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Central heating systems.

(a)A solid-fuel stove's gravity primary circuit must have?
  1. A pump and motorised zone valves
  2. No valves, an open vent and a heat leak
  3. A pressure relief valve only
(b)Purpose of the heat-leak radiator on a stove circuit?
  1. Raises the boiler's efficiency when it is idle
  2. Heats the attic tank so it cannot freeze
  3. Dumps surplus heat so the water cannot boil
(c)What lets upstairs and downstairs be heated separately?
  1. A motorised zone valve and thermostat per zone
  2. A bigger circulating pump on the flow pipe
  3. One thermostat in the hall for the whole house
Show the answers

(a) No valves, an open vent and a heat leak

(b) Dumps surplus heat so the water cannot boil

(c) A motorised zone valve and thermostat per zone

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Central heating systems.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q8
2023Not asked
2022Q10b
2021Q8
2019Not asked
2018Q8
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Central heating systems questions

Central heating systems, 3 marks

Advantage of a two-pipe radiator system over a one-pipe system?

  1. It uses less pipe than a one-pipe loop does
  2. It needs no circulating pump to work
  3. Each radiator gets water at near flow temperature
Show the answer

Each radiator gets water at near flow temperature

In a one-pipe loop the water cools as it passes each radiator in turn, so the last ones are coolest. A two-pipe system has separate flow and return pipes.

Central heating systems, 3 marks

What is balancing a radiator system?

  1. Topping up the feed and expansion tank
  2. Setting lockshield valves so each radiator gets its share
  3. Bleeding the air out of every radiator in turn
Show the answer

Setting lockshield valves so each radiator gets its share

Water takes the easiest path, so radiators near the pump can hog the flow. Partly closing their lockshields lets the far radiators heat up too.

Central heating systems, 3 marks

Why does a heat pump system often need larger radiators than an oil system?

  1. Its lower flow temperature gives less heat per radiator
  2. Heat pump water is hotter than the water from an oil boiler
  3. Heat pumps run the water at a higher pressure
Show the answer

Its lower flow temperature gives less heat per radiator

A radiator's output falls as its water gets cooler. A heat pump is most efficient at about 35–45 °C, so bigger radiators or underfloor heating make up the output.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 4 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q3, Q8i
2024Not asked
2023Q8b
2022Q8i
2021Q8f
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Central heating systems questions

Central heating systems, 2 marks

What does a room thermostat do?

  1. Measures the water pressure in the heating system
  2. Controls how hot the water at the taps gets
  3. Switches heating on and off to hold a set temperature
Show the answer

Switches heating on and off to hold a set temperature

When the room reaches the set temperature the thermostat turns the heat off, and back on when it cools. This avoids overheating and saves fuel.

Central heating systems, 2 marks

A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controls what?

  1. The hot water cylinder upstairs
  2. The temperature of one radiator
  3. The boiler for the whole house
Show the answer

The temperature of one radiator

A TRV senses the room temperature and cuts the flow of hot water to that radiator. Each room can be set to its own comfortable level.

Central heating systems, 3 marks

What is meant by zoning a heating system?

  1. Dividing the house into areas with separate controls
  2. Putting all the radiators on one circuit and thermostat
  3. Heating only the hot water, not the rooms
Show the answer

Dividing the house into areas with separate controls

Zones, such as upstairs and downstairs, each have their own thermostat and valve. Heat goes only where it is needed, which saves energy.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies