No gas, no oil :(

samtheman1k

Hi all, we have a problem.

We have just moved into a small 3 bed semi. Unfortunately, to access the house we need to cross the neighbour's land. We currently have storage heaters installed, but they are big, bulky and expensive to run (and are cold in the evening!).

We are off the gas mains, and cannot get oil as the rights of access to our house do not allow us to get the tank filled (have checked with a solicitor). So, we are only left with the following options:

Electric central heating
ASHP/GSHP
Solid fuel

We are worried about the cost of electric central heating. We have looked at the Gledhill Electramate thermal store which may help, but still feel that it will cost a packet. ASHP don't seem to be powerfull enough and GSHP too expensive to install.

So we were wondering if anyone had any experience of solid fuel stoves (with back boilers)?

We don't have a chimney, so would need a flue installed...is that an option or would that be prohibitively expensive? How about installation costs of the actual stove? Do we need a hearth?

Anyone else solved the no gas/oil problem?????

Thanks!
Sam

Cardew

If you have no access for oil tank, will you have a problem storing solid fuel?

Apparently modern storage heating systems retain the heat better, and used with Economy 10 could be your cheapest option.

Lotus-eater

Have you talked with your neighbour? Thats the first thing I would do.

Did you realise all this before you moved in, you must have known you have to cross someone elses land to get to your property.

Storing the solid fuel won't be a problem I would think, getting it across the neighbours property will, you can run a long hose to refill oil, you have to drive a car or truck right up to a property to unload solid fuel. Either that or barrow it across, assuming you have somewhere to dump it first. If you can barrow it across, why can't you run a hose across?
Whats the distance between a public road and your property?

samtheman1k

Lotus-eater wrote: »

If you can barrow it across, why can't you run a hose across?

The problem comes with the wording of the deeds, in that it says that we are allowed to cross the neighbours land for normal use, but laying a pipe or hose, even temporary, isn't 'normal use', whereas getting a delivery of coal/wood is normal use as it is just like a courier.

System

I would have said that replenishing your heating fuel, regardless of type or method of replenishment, is 'normal use'.

jrrowleyws

Surely an oil tanker is only delivering?

Badger_Lady

Can you get gas cannistors? (No experience of it, just heard it can be done!)

amd

As the wife of a log supplier (and users ourselves) the amount of trips back and forth would be enormous compared to the occasional single trip across the neighbours land to have oil or gas pumped into a tank! If the supplier dumps by the road and you have to cart wheelbarrow-fulls it would take some time. Same would go for other solid fuels such as coal or anthracite.

Wouldn't it be possible to speak with your neighbour and explain your dilemma? It would surely be in their interest to be inconvenienced as little as possible.

Can't understand the law saying that putting a temp hose across the land isn't normal use. Bonkers!

See https://www.stovesonline.co.uk for info re stoves and installing. Depending on the stove you can get away without a hearth - needs a certain type of stove though, only suits a certain few. Flues are quite expensive, as can be installation - we've recently fitted one. It's a lifestyle choice for us - and having a tree surgeon for a husband helps with the logs!

rsvtoddy

If I remember correctly the max run of a hose for oil delivery is 160 feet - ours comes across land not owned by us but we do have right of way over it.

Can't see why the landowner would object to half an hour of a hose being there - it does no damage at all whereas shifting a lot of logs will if it's across grass.

Smiley_Mum

Paraffin run Rayburn Royal no use then or even one run on red diesel? Solid fuel Rayburns are fine but heck of a lot of dust, dirt and work.

http://www.tradcookers.co.uk/fuel_conversions.htm

COPPERHEADJACK_2

what about calor gas. I know a few people who run their heating by calor.