Which heat source to use

treecol

Thank you for all your suggestions. We've had a survey by a heating engineer, he's also a friend so gives unbiased advice. He said to stay away from air to air pumps as he knows a couple of new builds with them in. He's installing multifuel stoves for the owners as they cannot get enough heat when the outside temp drops. Apparently a multi stove for us would have tonsit half way into the room due to all the current regs. So that's out. He says a gas fire wouldn't put out enough heat for the size of the room. So he suggests 2 big double rads & a heat only boiler. Seems to make sence - the boilers seem to cost a lot less than combis do. I think looking ahead to resale on the house one day, a good perminant heat source is a good idea.
Anyone installed a heat only boiler? Presume they are as good as any other boiler. Our warm air boiler already does our water.

Pincher

If you can extend the current radiator circuit.

http://www.myson.co.uk/products/hi_line_super_rc.asp

http://www.myson.co.uk/products/hi_line_super_rc.asp

There are also hydronic fireplaces.

If you can build on top of the tiles:

http://www.myson.co.uk/products/solid_floor.asp

These are pretty:

http://www.thegassuperstore.co.uk/heating/flueless-gas-fires/flueless-hang-on-the-wall.html

Cardew

treecol wrote: »

Thank you for all your suggestions. We've had a survey by a heating engineer, he's also a friend so gives unbiased advice. He said to stay away from air to air pumps as he knows a couple of new builds with them in. He's installing multifuel stoves for the owners as they cannot get enough heat when the outside temp drops.

Let me say firstly I am not a great fan of the heat pump 'industry' in UK as there are a lot of clueless cowboys and savings are exaggerated.


However millions of air to air heat pumps are in use all over the world - especially the USA. I had one in my place in Florida and the heat(and aircon) is ducted to all rooms.


Not many properties in UK have Air to Air heat pumps - most have Air to Water like the Mitsubishi Ecodan. Air to Air do not heat water for baths etc.


Your friend is quite correct that the big, and justified, complaint is that the output (from both types) can be insufficient in cold temperature.


However that is all relative - even at low temperatures below zero you can still get a useful COP - look up the specifications. Much of the year they would provide adequate heating and on the really cold nights you might have to supplement the heating with a fan heater costing £10.

lstar337

treecol wrote: »

We've had a survey by a heating engineer, he's also a friend so gives unbiased advice.

Unbiased maybe, but is it good? I take a few issues with what he has said.

treecol wrote: »

He said to stay away from air to air pumps as he knows a couple of new builds with them in. He's installing multifuel stoves for the owners as they cannot get enough heat when the outside temp drops.

How low is the temperature dropping? We have air to air heat pumps here at work (some of them are really old beasts too) and they still get the rooms over 26c when there is plenty of ice outside. The more modern units we have are many times better. Also, if these are in new builds then they shouldn't require much heat anyway.

treecol wrote: »

He says a gas fire wouldn't put out enough heat for the size of the room.

I see modern units quoting 4.5kW heat output, which I would think was plenty enough for your size of room.

treecol wrote: »

So he suggests 2 big double rads & a heat only boiler.

So one of the most expensive options where he can make the most gain then.

treecol wrote: »

I think looking ahead to resale on the house one day, a good perminant heat source is a good idea.

What is not permanent about the other options? A gas fire or ASHP don't just get up and walk out by themselves.