Thinking of a new central heating system

Stephb1986_2

Hi everyone, I hope someone can help me.

My fiance has an old council house which needs a lot of work doing to it but we're on a tight budget. The windows and doors need doing as the windows are only single glazed. But I also worry about his current central heating system I think it's older than me!

It's a back boiler with some sort of weird dial system off until a etc etc some of you will know what I'm talking about but I have no clue and don't have a clue how to work the damn thing so it needs replacing as it's so old and costing him a fortune.

What type of system would you recommend?

There will be three adults in the house, currently there is only a bath but we're looking at putting in a shower as I don't like baths, plus if someone has a bath you have to put the emmersion on and wait for the water to heat up which isn't really convenient.

All of the radiators are on outside walls which my mum say's is not a good idea any more as it's heating outside too?

I just want something that is economical and cheaper to run.

TIA

Steph x

Ebe_Scrooge

A modern boiler will almost certainly be far more efficient than the one you've got, from the sounds of it. Assuming you have mains gas available, then go for that. You can go for a "conventional" system with a hot water tank, or the combi option which heats water on demand. Modern combi boilers are a lot better than they used to be, but opinion is divided on them - a lot of people still hate them !

Showers - electric showers are useful in that they still work if your boiler packs up, but generally a shower fed from your hot water supply will be much better - i.e. give a much better flow rate.

But I think the single biggest thing you need to consider is insulation, from the sounds of it. Loft insulation is relatively cheap and gives you a rapid payback. Cavity wall insulation ( if appropriate ) can help a lot. Double glazing is good, but is expensive and has a long payback period. And simple things like draught-proofing around doors, letter boxes etc. is very cheap and effective.

Overall, your best friend is going to be a competent RGI, ideally an independant recommended by friends and neighbours. He/she should be able to give you unbiased advice about the system best suited to your particular circumstances.

Hope this helps.