Storage Heaters

Reed_Richards

Wrong again @Gerry1.  Oil boilers and heat pumps have comparable running costs.  I keep saying this but it's not sinking in.  Gas central heating is cheapest to run, no contest.  But gas boilers will be banned in new builds from 2025 so the writing is on the wall.  Gas, oil, or heat pump, I recommend you get a system that runs with a central heating water temperature of 50 C and size your radiators accordingly because that will future-proof your house for a time when the heat pump is the only option.  

Rodders53

The first thing to do is to look at the INSULATION and DRAUGHT-PROOFING of the property.  Minimising heat losses (and heat gains in some circumstances) will lead to lower energy consumption, whatever that energy source.

Then you can consider the choice of fuels... and do the sums based on proper heat gain/loss calculations and a few assumptions about the weather where the dwelling is located.  Throw solar thermal and solar electric into the mix and it'll be a project in itself just doing the sums and research!

shinytop

@diz79, I've just got rid of all eight or our storage heaters and replaced with an ASHP. Gas wasn't possible and oil was ruled out for both price and environmental reasons.  Storage heaters are expensive to run and inflexible. RHI pays for most of our new system and ongoing savings should pay for the rest.  In addition, I have a nice new system that I can turn up and down whenever I want.  As @Rodders53 says you will have to look at the fabric of your house first.  

diz79

OK thanks again everyone, just to update you on what we are doing, we've pulled down all the ceilings upstairs (basically two dormers and a hallway, in the bungalow) and we are currently putting in cellotex with the green membrane and plasterboard with the polystyrene attached to it, if that gives you a better idea.

Cost may not be an issue, in someway we'd rather pay more upfront and it be cheaper long-term but also would like to consider the environment where possible? Solar power is also a possibility.

Thanks again!!!