Solid Fuel V Oil Heating

Mayflower10cat

SurferDan wrote: »

Hi
We have a Trianco TR45 solid fuel boiler.

Ha! In our last house we inherited a Trianco (by Royal Appointment!) solid fuel boiler (anthracite). I must admit having relocated from a town with gas central heating, the intial idea of anthracite was terrifying! We fully intended to replace the boiler straightaway.... However, we befriended our solid fuel boiler and lived with it for another three years. The plus side was, it was always 'on' so in the in winter even if the radiators were off, the kitchen/hallway was nice & warm. Yes, stoking it twice a day, riddling it and faffing about if it went out were tasks that perhaps some people would baulk at. But, it was efficient, it belted out heat and compared to the modern oil fired boiler we replaced it with before moving out - it was quiet!!!!

seasalt_2

We have a solid fuel rayburn (4 bedrooms and 8 radiators) - stays lit 24/7 for weeks at a time. Yes there is work, riddling it and taking out ash, bringing in coal, chopping wood etc and unless everyone is careful (hah!) about opening dampers etc before opening the firebox door, then kitchen needs more cleaning than it would with gas or electric.

Cost wise, we use anthracite (see above!) and our last tonne cost us £435 including VAT and delivery - we do live on an island though so freight is VERY dear and cost would probably be less on the mainland. We use 3 tonnes a year (Oct to May - or until coal runs out!) plus some wood (free) - and we also have a small morso stove in the living room although only use that if it's really cold. HTH

SD-253

scotsman4th wrote: »

Oils 44p a litre and never going to come down much. I've paid as much as 65p a litre although only once.

You are contradicting yourself when you say it is never going to come down much? Anyway is £90 a ton for coal cheap.............it does look like it is. Whats the normal price near you and where are you. Also everyone should note that at least in Lincolnshire the price of wood is way over the price of oil or LPG on a like for like for like basis..............unless you can get a bargain like me 2 years wood for nowt. As I am retired I am always out cycling walking so it was only a bit of luck that I got it. Will only use wood if I can get it cheap. About ..........per square metre......IE I cannot remember anyone out there want to give me a price for there area (per square metre).

flissh

My first experience of central heating was a parkray room heater. It burnt solid fuel ran six rads in a small house that had no access to gas. Before we had that we had an open fire and the odd calour gas heater, so obviously loved the parkray. The only trouble we had was sometimes the water would get so hot it would rumble in the pipes and we had to run a bit off. And of course the cleaning and constant feeding.

We the moved to a house with gas central heating, which was cheaper cleaner and much less hassle. Also much easier to control.

We now have oil, (once again, no access to gas) and it has been great. Bit of a bu@@er to wake up this morning to an empty tank!!! We are waiting for a delivery. Should be here by wednsday. And what a price hike:eek::eek::eek: 78p a litre last year at this time we paid 43p.

Also have an open fire for cosy nights, when we can be bothered.

Luckily we have found a local supplier today who is selling us some litres to tide us over.

My 1st choice would be gas, second oil, solid fuel if only other option.

susank

We have had a multifuel stove for 20 years in this house with free wood for most of that time - it was coming to the end of its life and I was so fed up of getting up on a windy morning to find it was out - cold bathroom and cold house and showering in cold bathroom left the walls streaming and the towels cold:eek: - against my hubby;s better judgement I went for oil and its been in since october - best ever dont care if costs more - its either on or off - if hot put it off and in this weather and we are minus 11.6 this morning - its on - the whole house feels dryer than it was - must have been heading for damp as not worked well last winter for its last one and now its fantastic - Ok its dearer but if I can get a wood burning stove installed in the lounge for next winter it will help loads and be less cost for oil. When you get older its not easy to do wood fires every day - I have felt warmer this winter so far than many a winter and dont dread the frost inside the windows every morning:j

beanrua

I have a Charnwood multi-fuel stove which heats 10 rads. I have a dual system to allow me to use oil - which I haven't used unless I have been away for a few days and want a quick warm up. A bucket of coal lasts 5-6 hours and gives a lovely steady heat. Coal instead of wood ensures the rads are really warm. Two years ago I was averaging £50 a week using oil and the house wasn't really warm. Now my costs are substantially reduced and the house is warmer, a different kind of heat, and I love my stove. Yes it's a bit of an effort but I love it.