Central heating choice?!

Croftsy

Newbie here, have a headache looking at all the different opinions on heating property; so thought it best to add to the headache!

We have an old Victorian house, have lived here for 15 years with no central heating system, just used a gas fire in the lounge and electric halogen fires, oil radiators and fans. We are in our 50's now and really need to put in some form of heating. We are renovating the house and really wanted to avoid ripping up the floorboards etc. it seems though that gas seems the most preferable option. I have had a look at the Dimplex Quantum system, but also seen it is just a glorified night storage system. I am more confused then ever as what to do; never thought I would about heating!

Seems perhaps just get a load of oil radiators! Suggestions greatfully received. Thank you in anticipation.

Hasbeen

I would vote for natural gas appears to be cheaper by the many posts.

Depends also on size of house? Re radiators and boiler output?

After 15 years, and in 50s I would probably not consider spending too much on house, not adding to value!! but would sell and get more modern, energy efficient, easy maintained,

sheffield_lad

I would always go for gas your renovating now much worse would be to put in a heating system such as storage heaters only to replace them with rads a few years down the line.

GL

macman

Any form of electric heating will be more expensive by up to 250%. Oil filled rads are no more efficient than convectors or storage heaters-exactly the same (100%)
The capital cost of gas CH and DHW will be higher of course, but once it's installed, the running costs are lower. And it will add considerable value to the property.
Calculate what you are currently spending on electric heating and DHW

Croftsy

Thanks for feedback, we do not want to move; 50's not that old! We did consider moving but love the area we live in with all old Victorian/Georgian properties. Or recently pokey poorly built but energy efficient over priced waterside flats (Bristol); these flats were our preferred downsizing option but they were truly awful. Any how onwards with the search re heating, still do not want floorboards ripped up, three floors/levels worth!

Cardew

Gas CH can be fitted with some of the pipes along the skirting boards - which will look ugly - but there will some lifting of floorboards.

I suggest you get an estimate and see what is possible.

If you are determined not to have radiator CH you are really down to storage heating or air to air heat pump.

lstar337

Cardew wrote: »

Gas CH can be fitted with some of the pipes along the skirting boards - which will look ugly - but there will some lifting of floorboards.

I suggest you get an estimate and see what is possible.

If you are determined not to have radiator CH you are really down to storage heating or air to air heat pump.

Maybe also a wet underfloor heating system?

Not sure what is involed with regards to floorboards though.

rogerblack

macman wrote: »

Any form of electric heating will be more expensive by up to 250%.

Properly specified quality air-air heatpumps can be considerably cheaper than gas to run.
As in well under 2/3 of the price.

macman

Floorboards will have to come up whether you have gas CH or storage heaters, which each require a radial circuit back to the CU. They don't connect to your existing ring main.
The pipework can usually be done in not much more than a couple of days-they will work room by room where possible.

lstar337

macman wrote: »

Floorboards will have to come up whether you have gas CH or storage heaters, which each require a radial circuit back to the CU. They don't connect to your existing ring main.

Floorboards didn't come up for our storage heaters, because they just nailed all the cables around the walls.

Ahh..I love our flat, it's like an example of how not to do everything. :rotfl: