Just bought an old mid-terrace - what boiler?

unexploded

Hey all,

We get the keys to our first house next week!

Could someone offer some advice on what sort of gas heating we should go for please?

It's a beautiful Victorian mid-terrace with electric storage heating as it's main source of heat right now. It does have a gas mains supply but is not in use by the looks of things.

The building itself, as I say is mid-terrace, solid brick, and has recently had the roof insulated. Two bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, cellar. Most rooms have the high ceilings typical of this sort of property. The house has the original sash windows, some of which have had secondary glazing (horrid-looking glass window box things surrounding them - I think the council put them in when upgrading the A road opposite). We also have fireplaces which look like they have been used recently. The overall EPC is an F, no surprise there (the recently-insulated roof rates very well).

Upstairs in the bathroom is some sort of hot water cylinder and a water tank above that. It doesn't look new, and there's an Economy 7 box in there.

We'd like a gas central heating system and we're not quite sure what we need. We're two adults (no family as of yet). My other half enjoys her baths, which may determine the type of boiler we need. We'd opt for an electric shower as I can't be done with the water going hot and cold! The house isn't usually occupied during the day (though I do sometimes work from home).

I'm aware that the property needs some efficiency upgrades (though I wish to maintain it's character the best I can), but in it's current form what sort of boiler would you recommend? I understand a combi boiler is probably suitable for us, though opinions over at diynot seem to be that they're unreliable. Ideally I'd like to get rid of those tanks in the bathroom to free up space (if you think I should be going for a water tank then I'd like it in the loft). I'd like to use the fireplace now and then, too.

Financially, we both work so we don't qualify for any free boiler schemes. That said, we're not on loads of money so if there's any schemes out there that you may know of please point us in the right direction. Should we be getting an independent gas fitter to buy in the boiler on his/her recommendation, or go to one of the energy suppliers and get one on finance? That said, I don't know how long we'll be at this property for, so I'd only want to be paying a boiler off up to a term of five years probably.

If there's any more info you need, please let me know. Thanks for reading!

stator

It definitely sounds like a combi boiler is what you need.
You could use the green deal to finance it but it might work out expensive. Many people say that green deal installed tend to overcharge so I don't know if there's a good one in your area.

matelodave

If you need to borrow money then either a bank loan or 0% credit card might be the best idea.

IMO a combi would do the job and get rid of the water tanks. You could probably install it in the cupboard where the tanks were previously situated.
It might take a bit longer to fill a bath but you've got a continuous supply of hot water so unless you are in a raging hurry it shouldn't make any difference.

We had one with a thermostatic shower and never had any problems with other taps in the house being turned on or off.

Electric showers can be just as prone to water pressure fluctuations and can go very hot/cold when the cold water pressure drops if someone flushed a loo or turns on a tap in the kitchen.

Owain_Moneysaver

If you can arrange the flue and condensate drain, you can put a boiler (either a combi, or a system boiler and unvented cylinder) in the loft.

You need a loft ladder, flooring and guard rail round the hatch to provide safe access for maintenance.

macman

Whatever boiler you opt for, remember that you'll probably be better off reverting to a single rate electricity tariff, which may require a meter change from E7.

unexploded

Hello everyone, thanks for your replies!

Stator, that's interesting to hear about the green deal overcharging. Kind of sounds pointless...

Matelodave, yes certainly, I think depending on the cost I'd consider taking out a 0% card and paying it off over the interest-free period. We're trying to free up the bathroom and I was hoping to remove that cupboard but I guess it has to go somewhere! Good point about the pressure, didn't think about that.

Macman, yes certainly, I can't see E7 being beneficial for us. Thanks for the heads up on the meter change.