New home, No heating, HELP!

Poochywoos

Hi everyone, I’ve recently inherited a house which is liveable, and as I’m currently renting, I’m hoping to move in sooner rather than later to save money.

The main concern is heating it over the winter. At the moment, it has an immersion heater for hot water, old electric heaters in some rooms, and an open fire with a back boiler. The fire hasn’t been used for around 2 years, and having researched the back boiler, I’m reluctant to use it until it’s been professionally checked for safety, so that’s off the cards for now.

Eventually, we’re hoping to get gas connected to the property and install a combi boiler with central heating, but that won’t be happening immediately.

In the meantime, I’m wondering what the best option would be for heating the house. Would modern electric radiators be worthwhile, or would oil-filled radiators be a better option? I’m conscious of electricity costs, as well as wanting to keep the house reasonably warm through the winter.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or have any recommendations for the most economical temporary heating solution? I don’t want to spend a fortune on something we’ll eventually replace, but I also don’t want to move in and freeze!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

RelievedSheff

I would get the open fire and back boiler checked as a matter or urgency and then use that as the primary source of heating.

Electric radiators or fan heaters are going to cost a small fortune to run given the price of electric at the moment (and due to get about 20% more expensive come January)

daveyjp

All portable electric heaters cost the same to run. If its a 2kw heater it costs 2 units of electricity per hour whether its a convector, oil filled or fan heater.

With portable electric heating, heating the whole property to a comfortable temperature is a very expensive business, so you need to heat rooms as you use them. Modern heaters have timers and wi fi so remote operation is possible.

As above I'd get the open fire to a useable condition, chimney swept etc and use that as a main heating source, but your priority is to update the main central heating system whether that be gas or a heat pump.

Keep_pedalling

Frankly it sounds like a massive money pit, and you would probably be better off flogging it and buying something that is cheaper to run and is not going to cost a fortune to modernise.

Has the property been transferred to your name or is it still going through probate?

MattMattMattUK

In addition to the above, do not get a gas connection and install a boiler (combi or otherwise), get a heat pump.

doodling

Hi,

What type are the "old electric heaters in some rooms"?

If they are storage heaters then you may be able to keep those rooms warmish at reasonable cost with a cheap overnight electricity tariff (e.g. E7). You would need to do a bit of investigation to see if they still work and do a sufficient job though.

Poochywoos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82174104#Comment_82174104

It's still going through at the moment, I've signed the deeds so it's submitted once it's granted. I want to live there as I'm currently renting equally I've been told by numerous estate agents a little bit of money will return good profit due to location ect.

Swipe

Have you seen the price of smokeless fuel lately? The open fire wont be cheap to run either.

Poochywoos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82174116#Comment_82174116

Just stand alone electric heaters, nothing fancy. They give out good heat but dont retain which Is why I thought oil radiators as a temporary measure.

Poochywoos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82174107#Comment_82174107

Am I right in thinking heat pumps dont need any gas just electricity. Are they more efficient going forward with the electricity prices ect and will they heat water? Sorry completely new to all this!

daveyjp

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82174107#Comment_82174107

At this stage all the OP can do is investigate whether the property is suitable for a heat pump. If the property is unsuitable its a none starter.