Alternatives to electric heating

Gerry1

It would be tricky to fit a GSHP, but may be possible at the front of the property under the parking area (but that area is in shade most of the day).

I doubt that sun or shade makes any difference: it probably affects only a very shallow depth.  Although expensive, GSHP boreholes can go down the equivalent of 30 storeys deep so a small area may suffice.  However, it sounds like a heat pump would not be best suited to your property.

Assuming the barn is not effectively a mid terrace, can you not find an oil tank location that can be reached by a long hose?  Surely the delivery companies will have a solution?

echo82

Thanks all, sorry for the delay in replying - lots to think over!

The problem with a storage tank is that the front of the property has a shared drive which opens on to a courtyard, which is shared with the next door house. Three sides of the courtyard are surrounded by the buildings. Putting a tank in there means we would lose some parking, next door probably wouldn't be too happy with the view and it would sit in front of a window. Burying it could be possible, how easy is that to do? (unfortunately I think the courtyard is gravel on tarmac).

I don't think there is enough room for a 'flat' GSHP unfortunately, but a borehole could be possible. We're on top of a reasonable hill, does that make that easier or harder?

My main worry with a heat pump is I've heard that they work best for a well insulated property. Although the conversion looks okay on the surface, I think there may be a few corners cut underneath. It actually was used for a few years as a commercial function venue before converting to residential, and I don't know what was redone at that point. To redo the insulation in the main rooms is going to be difficult, as I think the vaulted ceilings would have to be removed!

The property is perfect (from my research) for solar in terms of aspect, elevation, inclination etc. However, we'll never get permission for conventional solar panels, which is why I mentioned the solar slates. However, given the cost and size of the install we'd need, I struggle to see how it would pay for itself.

Thanks

QrizB

echo82 said:

My main worry with a heat pump is I've heard that they work best for a well insulated property.

Heat pumps are just a source of heat, like any other. A big enough one could heat the Albert Hall.

The reason that folk wisdom says they're best with well-insulated properties is that, regrettably, heat pumps currently cost more per kilowatt-hour of heat than equivalent gas, oil or LPG systems; let's say 2p/kWh more. In a small well-insulated property that might only need 5000kWh/yr of heat, the extra cost of heat from a heat pump of £100/yr is small and so the economics look better. For a large and poorly-insulated property that might need 20000kWh/yr of heat, the extra cost would be £400 and cause a certain amount of complaint.

In your particular case, you're comparing a heat pump to single-rate electricity not to a fuel-burning boiler and so you're looking at saving maybe 14p/kWh vs. your current spend; £2800/yr.

thozza

As verdigris pointed out, biomass might also be an option, a wood pellet boiler similar to our Grant Spira condensing 6—26kW, would require a floor area about 1.5 x 2m for boiler and hopper and an additional area to store bagged pellets. A bulk pellet store with tanker delivery would take more space. There is an option for an external mounted boiler as well. 

Running cost are similar to oil, currently £0.055/kWh and pellet prices are quite stable at the moment, and over the last seven years costs have varied between £0.045-£0.065/kWh, they also have the benefit of not being linked to oil or gas prices. Wood pellets are widely available and are a fuel used in other countries for domestic heating much more widely than the UK. 

Investment costs are quite significant, probably in the £10k area according to https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/biomass/grant-biomass-boilers but they are still eligible for RHI at £0.07/kWh currently. If the current system is radiators then installation might be fairly straightforward. 

Our property is a 150-200 year old detached farmhouse with solid walls, and the system has no problem keeping it warm, annual spend on pellets for space heating and hot water is £1100-1500 per year. 

Reed_Richards

echo82 said:

The property is perfect (from my research) for solar in terms of aspect, elevation, inclination etc. However, we'll never get permission for conventional solar panels, which is why I mentioned the solar slates. However, given the cost and size of the install we'd need, I struggle to see how it would pay for itself.

Why is summer hot and winter cold?  The answer is the reason why solar is not a suitable solution for heating your house.