best form of heating for my 91 year old neighbour...

Jonesya

You can get high efficiency, flame effect gas fires with efficiencies of 80% or more, making them a lot cheaper to run than an electric fire.

If it is going to be the main heat source then the additional installation is soon paid-back by the savings.

Other advantage of the the high efficiency fires is they have glass fronts so probably slightly safer.

rustyboy21

I agree with OP, that it may not be viable to have CH put in the house, if the gent is living downstairs. The cost of doing it if he doesn't own his house ,won't benefit him. Even if he does own it, he doesn't have family by the sounds of it who would benefit from the increase in house price from fitting it, so any cost involved would be money wasted.

My suggestion would be getting the fire in the kitchen replaced. I take on board the post suggesting glass fronted HE fires, but I would really suggest an old style outside Radiant fire for this type of customer. He is in his 90's may have arthritic problems, so an inset HE fire will have a slide control , which some find hard to use, or a manual version, which he would have to bend down to light it.

My suggestion would be sonething like the following, instant heat, electronic ignition and cheap to run. Ugly but does the job.

http://www.robinsonwilley.co.uk/product_details/gfo_sahara_safeguard.htm

For the bedroom, what would be ideal is a balanced flue wall heater. It is safe to use, no naked flames to catch bed linen on fire, will warm the room well and some can be set to a thermostatic level, so he can leave it on 24/7 and it will switch itself on and off to keep the room warm constantly, also cheap running costs. Needs to go on outside wall.

http://www.fires2u.com/product/475/baxi-brazilia-f8st.html

I had a really bad experiance about 5 years ago with a halogen heater and I try to put people off using them. I was going through a particularly bad time with work/personal problems and was stressed out. Christmas morning I was in my office at home, was cold and put one one by me. I must have 'zoned out' and didn't feel anything happening to me. Afeter a while, I must have came round to my senses and felt burning on my leg. I hadn't felt the burning of my leg, which wasn't touching the halogen heater, but about 5 inches away. I spent all day Xmas day in hospital with major burns to my leg, which have left permanent scars. I dread to think what would happen to an elderly person if the same happened to them.

Halogen heaters may be cheap to buy, but IMO they are more dangerous than the old electric bar fires, don't leave elderly people with them, if they are frail .

I would say go nto your nearest fireplace retailer and discuss the 2 options I have given you. I am in the trade 'OOp North ' but I would certainly recommend these options. It would be cheaper and safer than electic fires everywhere or CH. Don't use calor gas fires either !

ic

I agree with the earlier comment about warmfront - this situation is exactly what it is intended for.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

Assuming your neighbour qualifies (see the link, certain benefits are needed), he'd get a free central heating system installed and the house insulated. Given his age and as he has no primary heat source, they'd hopefully bump him towards the top of the list.