Renovation - Need advice on heating options

RickMoney

Hi,

I need some advice on the possible options for heating on a renovation project that is off gas and no option to get it (National Grid couldnt find the nearest pipes lol)


It's a old house that had two elec meters with storage heaters. As part of the refurb they have been taken out and the intention is to fit standard radiators.

I've been advised to install big tank for LPG but I do not know how cost effective they are.

We don't have a large amount of money to outlay at the start, but should I be considering some other source?

We are not going to be able to install underfloor heating.

Thanks

R

Silent_Dancer

Currently an oil boiler may be the best approach. LPG is 50% more expensive than oil.

As you've a limited budget I would regard a heat pump as out of the question.

Rickb

Thanks for the reply. Do you know of any guides that can outline the costs of an oil installation (the tank etc)

Is it like LPG in which the tank is owned by the the supplier?

How does it work if you want to swap supplier or move off to another heat source?

Thanks

Rick

Silent_Dancer

The oil tank will cost about £1K or so to install. You'll own your own tank so you can shop around. Try and buy the biggest tank you can afford so that you fill up in Summer when oil is cheap.

The heating system and boiler should be a similar price perhaps £500 more than a quote for a LPG boiler.

G_M

Paying out as much as you can upfront will save you money later.

* stretching to a heat pump will pay dividends as fuel prices continue to rise (but they are initially more costly)

* buying a big oil tank allows you to top up when you want (ie when prices dip down) instead of when you have to (because the tank is empty!)

Mine is 2500 litres and a full tank lasts a year or more. I'll start monitoring prices once it is half full, and if the price looks good, I buy. If not, I wait.

Glasgow_Lady

I'm moving into a stone built cottage, built 1890. It needs a new heating system (as well as being renovated and an extension added).

Can't get mains gas and have heard good things about a biomass boiler, not the pellet one as we can get free or cheap logs. Who should I speak to about getting independent advice on this versus an oil boiler. I'd like to find out what grants and incentives are available if you're not on benefits, just on a budget!

Don't know where to start and am grateful for any advice or opinions.

Thanks and apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place, it's my first post.

macman

Welcome to the forum. But it's better to start you own post rather than hijack someone else's. Otherwise things get confusing.

OP, by 'standard radiators' I assume that you mean electric convectors? Why would you rip out E7 storage heaters and install convectors, which will only run on a non-E7 tariff and therefore cost 3 times as much? It doesn't make sense.

matelodave

you could try the Energy Savings Trust, have a look at their website and they've got a phone number so you can have a chat with an advisor.

We refurbed our bungalow three years ago and they got sorted out a free survey for us (checked our insulation in the walls and loftspace). We managed to get 140m2 loft insulated to 300mm for just £300 through them and they gave us information on suppliers/installers in our area. I had already just about decided on a heat-pump as I didn't want a ginormous tank either of gas or oil or pile of wood in the back garden nor the hassle of replenishing them or feeding a boiler.

It's been a good decision - it probably cost us £3.5k more than an oil set up, but I reckon it's saving me at least £500 a year on heating bills (might be more if the RHI kicks in next year) and as we've had it for three years already it's already half paid for itself. It'll save £550 this year as our electricity has gone up by 10% already.

We installed an overlay under-floor system with it (PolyPipe overlay) rather than radiators or fan coils and it all keeps the place toasty warm even in the depths of winter. But as said on previous posts and other threads you must get the system design right in the first place.

Sizing of the heat pump and heat emitters (rads, u/f, etc) is crucial, as is making sure your insulation is as good as you can get it. Finally you do need to understand how it works and how to set it correctly to get maximum efficiency and benefit from it