Solid fuel Aga/Rayburn

Shedgirl

I'm considering through time installing a solid fuel range in my cottage (once I have dealt with kitchen refurbishment and overall home insulation) but have had mixed views from friends. It would be a reconditioned one which would operate radiators...does anyone have any opinions as to which is the 'best' brand of range? I did see some reasonably priced ones on Ebay, made in Bulgaria I think, but would I be better with a recon. Aga/Stanley/Esse/Rayburn than one of those unknown quantities?

If anyone has strong feelings about any part of the system, I would really love to hear from you. Thanks.

ps also (what a chancer!) thinking of internal wall insulation for many of the external walls of the house - just embarked on some research so would really appreciate advice for that too

Pincher

Aga AFTER the kitchen refurbishment? Pipes? Flue? Extractor? Ventilation? Wiring centre? Pump?


Insowall

http://www.thermilate.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=81

The problem is, some thermal plasters are not sold to domestic customers, only through professional specialists. You can damage the wall and compromise the damp proof course if you don't know what you are doing. You also get a certificate to qualify for further grants. I bought Insowall because they are willing to sell it to me. Minimum delivery quantity applies, so don't ask for a single bag, they hate that.

If you are going for it, commit to doing 40mm thickness or more. It's the same amount of disruption, whether they put on 10mm or 40mm.
Window shelves will look wrong, so you might have to replace them with something deeper. Raking out the old plaster might give you 20mm.

Shedgirl

No sorry it came out wrong - I meant during...everything will come together at same time obviously, and hopefully! Thanks for the insulation advice too. I know it's really not as simple as whacking up a few boards and that it's wiser to get a professional to do the job. Insowall is not something I've heard of! Great help thanks so much. Grants seem to be really hard to come by though, and there doesn't seem to be any financial help for people who live in old solid wall properties.

Born_to_dribble

I have an old Rayburn 1 ( new patten ) in my kitchen. It's around 50-60years old and still working but sadly we are taking it out this year due to needing proper central heating and can't connect enough radiators from it to all the rooms

Itismehonest

Shedgirl wrote: »

I'm considering through time installing a solid fuel range in my cottage (once I have dealt with kitchen refurbishment and overall home insulation) but have had mixed views from friends. It would be a reconditioned one which would operate radiators...does anyone have any opinions as to which is the 'best' brand of range? I did see some reasonably priced ones on Ebay, made in Bulgaria I think, but would I be better with a recon. Aga/Stanley/Esse/Rayburn than one of those unknown quantities?

If anyone has strong feelings about any part of the system, I would really love to hear from you. Thanks.

ps also (what a chancer!) thinking of internal wall insulation for many of the external walls of the house - just embarked on some research so would really appreciate advice for that too

You really need to be sure that the draw on your chimney is good & fairly constant.
We had a solid fuel Rayburn which did cooking, water & a few radiators. Depending on the wind direction it would either burn up in a blink of the eye or you'd still be waiting for spuds to boil 2 hours after the pan went on
It wasn't the fault of the stove itself but of the house & surroundings effect on the chimney draw.
About 20 years ago we had it converted to a gravity fed oil system which, although prices have gone up considerably, is much more reliable & efficient.

wuthton

My father uses a solid fuel Rayburn to heat his 3 bedroom, well insulated farmhouse. He gets his logs for free in exchange for renting yard space to a tree surgeon which is lucky because it burns an insane quantity of wood.

I would not consider a Rayburn unless you have a ready supply of very cheap/free logs.