Options for flat with no central heating

pollybee

Looking at making an offer on a split level attic flat with no central heating.

There is a gas supply to the building just not the attic. One not amazing looking electric radiator currently. Old building.

Any recommendations for what to do here and expected cost? I'm struggling to work out what to offer. I hate being cold and would like to have the option to make the flat properly toasty if I can. Wanted to get someone round to quote and discuss options but they all want hundreds to do so.

Thanks in advance 

Mark_d

I've previously lived in flats with no central heating.  I used oil radiators and found they worked really well.  These oil radiators have also been useful in my current flat when the central heating system broke down.

My current flat is in the attic - with two floors of flats below.  I only use central heating during the winter as so much heat rises from the flats below, the flat is 35 degrees in the peak of summer and even today it's above 22 degrees (windows are slightly open).

QrizB

How's your budget?

Does the flat have its own electricity supply, not just sub-metered from the building below?

Economy 7 and storage heaters would be the default suggestion, although you're probably looking at £1500-2000.

Another option would be a couple of through-wall aircon units, one front and one back. A similar installation price to storage heaters but potentially cheaper to run (depending on tariff). Something like this.

Installing gas cntral heating might cost £5000 or more.

pollybee

Mark_d said:

I've previously lived in flats with no central heating.  I used oil radiators and found they worked really well.  These oil radiators have also been useful in my current flat when the central heating system broke down.

My current flat is in the attic - with two floors of flats below.  I only use central heating during the winter as so much heat rises from the flats below, the flat is 35 degrees in the peak of summer and even today it's above 22 degrees (windows are slightly open).

Thanks Mark, this is really reassuring. Do you have any oil ones you'd recommend, or are they much of a muchness? 

pollybee

QrizB said:

How's your budget?

Does the flat have its own electricity supply, not just sub-metered from the building below?

Economy 7 and storage heaters would be the default suggestion, although you're probably looking at £1500-2000.

Another option would be a couple of through-wall aircon units, one front and one back. A similar installation price to storage heaters but potentially cheaper to run (depending on tariff). Something like this.

Installing gas cntral heating might cost £5000 or more.

Thank you. I've got real flexibility with upfront costs but monthly costs will be tighter. 

I'm trying to work out if I'm mad for considering going for it and working it out when I'm there. I'm a single woman living alone for the first time so want to get something sensible. I'm a bit anxious about being cold. 

Those units look good, thank you! Are there any storage heaters you'd recommend? 

I'll check on the electricity supply. Would you mind sharing the context so I can explain why to the agent?

Thank you so much for your help 

EssexHebridean

I'd be thinking of shoving a single high heat retention storage heater (Dimplex Quantum would get my vote) in the living area, a electric panel heater with a timer facility in the bedroom, and an electric towel rail in the bathroom. Although you don't mention insulation, the flat is clearly compact enough to not need much in the way of heating, and as already mentioned, you should get the benefit of heat rising from below too, which is always a win. 

QrizB

pollybee said:

Those units look good, thank you! Are there any storage heaters you'd recommend? 

As with EssexHebridean, the Dimplex Quantum storage heaters get very good reports. (My storage heater experience was with kit from the 1970s so I don't have first-hand experience with anything currently available.)

pollybee said:

I'll check on the electricity supply. Would you mind sharing the context so I can explain why to the agent?

Purpose-built flats woud normally have a separate supply, and a separate meter, for every flat. This lets you pick a tariff to suit your own needs. Storage heaters require a time-of-use tariff like Economy 7, while those little aircon units will be happy on a single-rate tariff.
Flats that are converted from larger buildings sometimes share a single supply for the entire block, and have a sub-meter for billing each flat. This means you are stuck with whatever tariff the building owner has chosen, which might not suit you. Personally I'd avoid a sub-metered flat unless there were other things ovewhelmingly in its favour.

Scot_39

QrizB said:

How's your budget?

Does the flat have its own electricity supply, not just sub-metered from the building below?

Economy 7 and storage heaters would be the default suggestion, although you're probably looking at £1500-2000.

Another option would be a couple of through-wall aircon units, one front and one back. A similar installation price to storage heaters but potentially cheaper to run (depending on tariff). Something like this.

Installing gas cntral heating might cost £5000 or more.

Reverse air con units need through wall drilling - maybe unlikely to get freeholders permission 2 drill 2 largish holes.

The  manual for the fis one is saying need an 180/182mm / 7" core drill / hole cutter - and theres 2 fairly close to each other  - in a flat wall ?

Wonder if the fact that it's an attic might though help in some way ?

Eldi_Dos

pollybee said:

QrizB said:

How's your budget?

Does the flat have its own electricity supply, not just sub-metered from the building below?

Economy 7 and storage heaters would be the default suggestion, although you're probably looking at £1500-2000.

Another option would be a couple of through-wall aircon units, one front and one back. A similar installation price to storage heaters but potentially cheaper to run (depending on tariff). Something like this.

Installing gas cntral heating might cost £5000 or more.

Thank you. I've got real flexibility with upfront costs but monthly costs will be tighter. 

Have a look how you can improve the flats insulation and draftproofing, many of the energy company websites have good generic advice. They may even have pointers in how to get the work done.

Overnight storage heater for living area and timer controlled panel heater for bedroom, would get my vote.

There are some stylish "flat screen" electric convector heaters which can give a focus in the living area, running them with just the flame effect gives a warm feel yet only costs pennies to run and can give a bit of flexibility to your heating.

Whatever you decide make sure you are on a good tariff and keep checking periodically if there are any better ones that come along that would suit you.

pollybee

EssexHebridean said:

I'd be thinking of shoving a single high heat retention storage heater (Dimplex Quantum would get my vote) in the living area, a electric panel heater with a timer facility in the bedroom, and an electric towel rail in the bathroom. Although you don't mention insulation, the flat is clearly compact enough to not need much in the way of heating, and as already mentioned, you should get the benefit of heat rising from below too, which is always a win. 

Thank you, will definitely look into these, and it sounds like a good and doable set-up. Could maybe improve the insulation too. 

pollybee

QrizB said:

pollybee said:

Those units look good, thank you! Are there any storage heaters you'd recommend? 

As with EssexHebridean, the Dimplex Quantum storage heaters get very good reports. (My storage heater experience was with kit from the 1970s so I don't have first-hand experience with anything currently available.)

pollybee said:

I'll check on the electricity supply. Would you mind sharing the context so I can explain why to the agent?

Purpose-built flats woud normally have a separate supply, and a separate meter, for every flat. This lets you pick a tariff to suit your own needs. Storage heaters require a time-of-use tariff like Economy 7, while those little aircon units will be happy on a single-rate tariff.
Flats that are converted from larger buildings sometimes share a single supply for the entire block, and have a sub-meter for billing each flat. This means you are stuck with whatever tariff the building owner has chosen, which might not suit you. Personally I'd avoid a sub-metered flat unless there were other things ovewhelmingly in its favour.

Thank you! This is enormously helpful and relevant. I'd be a freeholder, but I'd also be the only one needing electric heating. Have asked about the supply. Really appreciate your help.