Barn conversion heating solutions

babyblade41

So I thought I'd ask here as it's the only place to get really good advice about heating solutions for a barn conversion we will be undertaking over the next 18 months.

This is a high apex roof structure  & it will be all one floor , tiled floors with underfloor heating . I will be having a multi fuel stove as we have a never ending supply of wood ( nearest neighbour is a tree surgeon)  but I'm still not convinced that the heat source pumps are the way forward 

My question is what other sources of heating would be advisable on a large open space with high ceilings . Obviously it will be insulated which I presume the architect will advise on what is the best 

Doozergirl

Is gas even available? 

Because if it isn't then I'd say that renewables of some kind would be a sensible option at this point in time.    Whether it's a heat pump, solar or both.  

What I would say is essential is low temperature heating, so wet underfloor heating or oversized radiators.  So even if you don't run on renewables straight away, you can in the future.  

Fabric first though, always.  Reduce the energy needed to run the house.   Insulate, insulate, insulate. 

Try to make it airtight if possible and then use mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.  It is harder to retrofit something to be airtight but you do have a relatively blank canvas to start from.   You need to make sure that any wood burner will work with the ventilation, but heat recovery will distribute that heat around the house, which would be good.  

We do need to make drastic change in how we build houses, above and beyond the building regulations.  

Bendy_House

Is biomass an option?

ComicGeek

As above, insulate the hell out of everything first. Only then look at heating options based on proper heat loss calculations.

Wet underfloor heating via heat pump would be the most efficient option, as underfloor heating works much better than radiators etc in large volumes - it has a higher propertion of radiant heating than radiators (which despite their name provide mainly convective heating), so concentrates on heating people/surfaces rather than all of the air.

Heat pumps operate most efficiently at the same temperature as underfloor heating, so a really good match. 

If you're going to use the stove a lot with free fuel, then consider also connecting this to a thermal store which can then be used to feed the underfloor heating and preheat the hot water cylinder. Most stoves are massively oversized anyway for a well insulated room.

babyblade41

@Doozergirl just what I was hoping for .. I'l post a pic of the monstrosity as it stands atm .Thank you  No gas available at all 

@Bendy_House. I'm not sure as I haven't a clue what it does ..could you explain it .

babyblade41

We are hoping to put big oak doors where  the blue garage door is  . The last 1/3  of the building will be a workshop  so we will be only using 2/3 as residential 

Bendy_House

'Biomass' is typically wood, or a fuel derived from waste timber, often formed into pellets to make them suitable for auto-feed, and to burn at its most efficient.

Physically big (so may need a purpose built shed) and expensive for initial installation - £10k+ - but some grants are available, possibly ongoing (a bit like FIT), and running costs - I think - are comparable to oil as it was a year or so ago. IE, it'll be a lot cheaper now. AND it's considered renewable.

Works via a heatstore as mentioned above. Once you fit a heatstore, then other heat sources can be added, such as a log burner (with back boiler), solar PV (via an immersion heater), and, er, others...

babyblade41

@Bendy_House just had a quick google at your suggestion  & that looks very interesting 

@Doozergirl I'd really appreciate your advice on insulation suggestions .. as you can see these are solid concrete blocks ... it does have water & electric 

Doozergirl

babyblade41 said:

We are hoping to put big oak doors where  the blue garage door is  . The last 1/3  of the building will be a workshop  so we will be only using 2/3 as residential 

I did one a bit like yours! 

babyblade41

hey that looks awesome...wish you lived closer !!!!

babyblade41

I'm going to have a look at this @Bendy_House,sounds a good option .