Options for replacing a heating system

KG

I have just bought a flat which is heated by storage heaters put in when the flat was built about 20 years ago. Having lived with storage heaters before I am keen to replace these for a more 'usable' alternative.

As far as I know there is no gas supply into the building and it's a modern flat in the city with no private outside space so oil and biomass are non-starters. It's also a very small flat and there are restrictions on what can be put on outside walls, so I am guessing air source heat pumps are also a no go.

I was looking for suggestions then of what kind of heating system to consider.

I'm not a high electricity consumer (jumpers and blankets are cheaper than whacking the heating up) and I work overseas quite a bit so the flat will be empty for long spells.

Any ideas?

KPG

HappyMJ

Sounds like electric is the only option. Either use E7 storage heating on a good E7 tariff or change tariffs and use convector heaters minimally (as it seems like you do) on a good 24/7 tariff.

semo

I think you shouldn't discount ASHP too quickly. Are you sure that it can't go on any of the outside walls? Are there any restrictions for the roof of the building? Maybe they won't allow you to put the condenser on the outside but let you run the pipework...

KG

semo wrote: »

I think you shouldn't discount ASHP too quickly. Are you sure that it can't go on any of the outside walls? Are there any restrictions for the roof of the building? Maybe they won't allow you to put the condenser on the outside but let you run the pipework...

Yeah - unfortunately this ain't an option. They won't even let us put satellite dishes up and there is no access to the roof (which is 4 floors above anyhow).

KPG

KG

HappyMJ wrote: »

Sounds like electric is the only option. Either use E7 storage heating on a good E7 tariff or change tariffs and use convector heaters minimally (as it seems like you do) on a good 24/7 tariff.

Hmmmm - not sure that E7 would work. One of the reasons I am keen to get rid of the storage heaters is because they work on an E7 model and the flat is lovely and warm during the day when I am not there and coole rin the evening. It might be cheaper, but it seems pretty wasteful / non-user-freindly to me.

I guess I was thinking more along the lines of a really efficient elec wet central heating system but I'm not sure where to start.

KPG

Pincher

Wet systems, which clutter up your walls?!


Kitchen style plinth heaters.

Electric Flame effect fireplaces.

http://www.cehltd.co.uk/products_rdh.php

http://www.jsaircurtains.com/economic-range-227/

There are too many styles and variations to mention.

The high up ones need cable runs, which you can hide with picture rails and covings. The above the door frame ones mean you can run the cable down the door frame, which gets you to the skirting board, along which you get to a mains socket. Lots of them come with remote controls.

KG

Pincher wrote: »

Wet systems, which clutter up your walls?!


Kitchen style plinth heaters.

Electric Flame effect fireplaces.

http://www.cehltd.co.uk/products_rdh.php

http://www.jsaircurtains.com/economic-range-227/

There are too many styles and variations to mention.

The high up ones need cable runs, which you can hide with picture rails and covings. The above the door frame ones mean you can run the cable down the door frame, which gets you to the skirting board, along which you get to a mains socket. Lots of them come with remote controls.

Thanks but they're kinda ugly... So unless someone can tell me that they would give me big savings on elec bills then it's not something I would consider.

The storage heaters take up wall space already so that's not an issue and at least I can put things in front of themm, whereas a fireplace would kinda dominate in my very small flat.

KPG

Pincher

KG wrote: »

Thanks but they're kinda ugly...

Even these ones?

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/myson-fan-convectors/

They look just like split Air-Con units, which plenty of people use around the world.

The Hi-Line ones are mounted high up, so do not waste usable wall space at all.

They are simply fan heaters with a heating element, and as such will give heat on demand, so is no more or less efficient than any other fan heater.

KG

Pincher wrote: »

Even these ones?

http://www.plumbnation.co.uk/site/myson-fan-convectors/

They look just like split Air-Con units, which plenty of people use around the world.

The Hi-Line ones are mounted high up, so do not waste usable wall space at all.

They are simply fan heaters with a heating element, and as such will give heat on demand, so is no more or less efficient than any other fan heater.

Yeah - even those ones. Sorry I had AC when I lived out in Oz and never liked the look of it.

Plus I am not sure fan heaters are the best bet for me if I am away alot and want to keep a timed heating programme on low over the winter.

As I say though - if someone can tell me that/how installing them would save me money on other methods I would consider it.

KPG

Pincher

Frost protection is best done with low wattage (~80W) tubular heaters in association with a frost stat:

http://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/th/4ft_tubular_heaters

Getting burst pipes when you don't have wet central heating is a little unlikely for a small apartment inside a building complex, but you can certainly put tubular heaters under the sink.

I have seen oil filled heaters with a frost position on the thermostat.

KG

Pincher wrote: »

Frost protection is best done with low wattage (~80W) tubular heaters in association with a frost stat:

http://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/th/4ft_tubular_heaters

Getting burst pipes when you don't have wet central heating is a little unlikely for a small apartment inside a building complex, but you can certainly put tubular heaters under the sink.

I have seen oil filled heaters with a frost position on the thermostat.

Ooo - ok. Will check these out. Thanks Pincher.