Inefficient Boiler, could a oil filled radiator be better?

Dannorth

Hello guys, I'm hoping someone with a lot more knowledge than me can help me out here.

I private rent in a small 2 bed flat, both electricity and gas through sainsbury's energy at the rate of 10.590p kwh and 3.740p kwh with a daily charge of 26p for each.

I have just had my boiler service and the report was not good, although the boiler is working it is running at under 50% efficiency and is over 25 years old (the engineer actually commented it was the most inefficient boiler he had come across). They recommended a change of boiler but I've got no chance with my current landlord. It was also put that I would save a rather large sum of money in bills should the boiler have been A rated.

So my question is would a efficient oil filled radiator be better in my situation? The layout of my flat is such that the 3 main rooms (lounge/2 beds) all come of a small hallway which may be the perfect place to stand a oil filled radiator. Relatives of mine use a 2kwh rated Delonghi in their large lounge/diner and reckon it would comfortably heat my small flat. Should probably mention I am a young male, and don't have my heating on a massive amount even when winter comes. Approximately 5/6 hours per day on a low setting.

With all this in mind am I going to save switching to a oil filled? or am I best just putting up with my terrible boiler?

Thanks

matelodave

You could do the sums yourself - a 2kw oil filled radiator will cost you 21.18kw to get 2kw. Your 50% efficient gas boiler will cost you 3.740p x 2 = 7.48p/kwh so you'll get 3kw out of the boiler for roughly the same price as 2kwh out of an oil filled radiator.
So even your 50% efficient boiler will cost you over 3p/kwh less than electricity.

You'll also probably find that the heat is better distributed around the flat depending on how many radiators you've got compared with just one in the hall.