Help-My Heads Bursting!

Old-Bugga

Have spent all day going around in circles trying to figure this out.

I am in the process of buying an old stone mid terraced cottage built in 1842. It is based near Dunoon in Argyll Scotland.

At the moment, it has Electric Storage Heaters that were fitted in 1993 and look WELL past thier best. My memories of these is they cost a lot to run and you have a house like a Sauna in the morning, and are freezing by early evening. Plus they are UGLY big brutes!

No mains gas supply.

So, Plan A was to go to town on insulation and fit electric underfloor heating throught. Apparently after a few calls, it is not suitable as a PRIMARY heat source.

LPG next. No room for a bulk tank due to space restrictions. 4 x 47kg cylinders would do the job. Then I read they cost about £70 each and last a week in winter....cough splutter!

Latest option I have now found is an Electric Combi Boiler, which is apparently somewhere between Gas and Oil in price? Only 11kw which seems quite stingy compared to the 35-35Kw LPG Boilers that seem to be the norm.

Can someone with wisdom greater than mine on these matters, tell me what would make the most sense, if you put yourself in my situation.

Thanks in advance guys!

albyota

Hi old-bugga, welcome to the forum, No mains gas......oil and LPG are not options due to size / cost etc...and with either of the above, you would need a houseful of radiators / plumbed in.
Cheapest capital outlay option therefore is direct electric panel heaters (Dimplex or similar) http://www.alertelectrical.com/prod/76/dimplex-electric-panel-convector-heater-05kw-output with time clocks and thermostats, you can use the existing NSH wiring and have the consumer unit tails altered to enable normal rate leccy. If wet central heating (standard radiators) is your preferred option, then a standard electric boiler would probably do,
http://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/Trianco_Aztec_Classic_Electric_Boiler_-_11kW.html (dont get the Combi), the heat load of the house should be calculated to size this correctly and you might find 11 kW is enough just for the heating, use a standard direct hot water cylinder with Immersion heater for your hot water.

macman

Modern storage heaters are a great deal more controllable (and somewhat easier on the eye) than the old ones. Depends on your usage pattern really.

G_M

INstalling from scratch? Consider forking out a bit extra initially and think out of the box. Longer term it will pay off AND be greener.

Air (or ground) source heat pump?
Solar panels for hot water?
Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric system?

Old-Bugga

Thanks for all the replies. We are RIGHT by the beach, and the House is listed, so the solar and air/ground routes arent going to be an option.

It already has an electric immersion heater for the water, and we plan on pulling the upstiars ceiling so we can install superquilt and re plasterboard. Same downstairs, with the external walls, so the opportunity to run radiators IS there. It is only a small two bedroom cottage with a living room and dinining room, that would require heating.

Kitchen and Bathroom will both get smaller radiators and electric underfloor heating.

So the 11Kw may JUST do the job.

Wasnt aware that the storage heaters required different consumer unit wiring. Do I need to contact my local electricity supplier to get something changed?

justjohn

what about wood/coal???

Wood may be cheap if you can source it just paid 90 quid for 3 cube.

Old-Bugga

justjohn wrote: »

what about wood/coal???

Wood may be cheap if you can source it just paid 90 quid for 3 cube.

Being a townie, I hadnt given this any thought. This new place IS in the country, and right beside a forrest, so it COULD be an option.

In my head, I just equate that to hard wrk and having to spend my waking hours cutting trees down?

Feel free to enlighten me. Much appreciated!

justjohn

Old-Bugga wrote: »

Being a townie, I hadnt given this any thought. This new place IS in the country, and right beside a forrest, so it COULD be an option.

In my head, I just equate that to hard wrk and having to spend my waking hours cutting trees down?

Feel free to enlighten me. Much appreciated!

3-4 cube( cubic metre) will run our 1800's 5 bed house nov- jan/feb toasty warm on wood burning central heating system. Wood often comes ready too put straight into fire.

i converted our house too oil ....however it is actualy cheaper to run on wood due too recent fuel rises.

Old-Bugga

justjohn wrote: »

3-4 cube( cubic metre) will run our 1800's 5 bed house nov- jan/feb toasty warm on wood burning central heating system. Wood often comes ready too put straight into fire.

Ok, at £90 for 3 cubic you have definetely got my interest now!

justjohn

Old-Bugga wrote: »

Ok, at £90 for 3 cubic you have definetely got my interest now!

Thats a good price and i had too split them. 3 cube in my area will cost 90-260.

You would need too find a good source, Because it can be expensive.

Old-Bugga

justjohn wrote: »

Thats a good price and i had too split them. 3 cube in my area will cost 90-260.

You would need too find a good source, Because it can be expensive.

Speaking to the boss (the Mrs) the prospect of having to get the wood burner going any time you want heating, doesnt appeal. Lazt townies that we are, the Electric Boiler is looking appealing. The house already has an electric immersion heater for hot water.