What are my Central heating options?

[penfold]

Just moved into a new house and experiencing a few problems with the heating ...so, need to pick peeps brains!

The central heating was run by an ancient 1958 rayburn which we have been assured is working, although the engineer says it is a mare to upkeep We have not been able to try it though as there is no oil in the tank and when we tried to get some delivered they company refused when they saw the tank as it was so decrepit (sp) that it was a pollution hazard

So...pondering the options.

The only form of heating at the moment is an open fire which also heats the water. There are also solar panels however we know nothing about these, no instructions were left (this was a power of attorney sale so we can't even ask the previous owners)....and anyway, the trees in the back garden are so big at the moment that no sun even hits the panels

No mains gas so would have to use LPG. Have heard a few people with concerns over the safety.

Was considering a Multi fuel stove with a back boiler to heat the water. However, will be going back to work for 3 full days a week and not sure how it would work during the day when we are not there and how practical it would be.

Or we could get a new oil tank and either see if the rayburn works or get a whole new modern system fitted/

At the moment we are using the open fire supplemented by oil filled radiators in the rooms...can only imagine the costs in electrity though! No choice though, no double glazing in the house and it was minus 7 here the other night

Just really can't decide what to do for the best.

[Gizmos]

sorry hun can't help but here is a hug to warm you up

[Maverick]

I would deffo replace the oil tank and get radiators fitted that dont rely on the old rayburn, or get a new oil fired aga/rayburn with radiators running off that if you want.

[mum1964]

Try the energy saving trust for some more ideas, they may also have some info about solar panels, there are not many companies making and fitting domestic ones.
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
or if you are in scotland it is
www.energysavingtrustscotland.org.uk
I spoke to them once and they were very helpful.
The electricity saftey council may have some thoughts about solar panels as well.
www.esc.org.uk

[penfold]

Originally Posted by Maverick

I would deffo replace the oil tank and get radiators fitted that dont rely on the old rayburn, or get a new oil fired aga/rayburn with radiators running off that if you want.

tbh, don't really fancy an aga/rayburn, all looks a bit scary! Popped into the aga shop in town the other week...well, you could have picked me off the floor when I realised the prices of those things!!!! There was also a lovely aga fridge freezer....a snip at, wait for it,......£8k! For a fridge freezer

At the moment the new oil fired system is what I am tending towards. Just have got so used to the convenience of setting the thermostat and that being it. I like the idea of the multi fuel stove but think the novelty may wear off. However, wood is freely available around here which is obviously a big plus point.

[MrsSavvy]

We spent a lot of money putting in central heating a few years ago and have never been happy with it. I wish we had looked into under floor heating as more of an option now as we were replacing all the flooring anyway and downstairs floors are concrete.

[pookienoodle]

why not get a specialist company to come and look your system over and let you know what your best options are.
http://www.oil-boiler-servicing.co.uk/index.html
Also get someone in to look at the solar panels though you may find these are a white elephant(unscrupulous contractors selling worthless systems )
Is it a large property?
will you be double glazing?
also check out warm front to see if you qualify for a grant.
http://www.warmfront.co.uk/

[indy]

i would choose the oil option over lpg its been cosistantly cheaper and its easy enough to get the best oil prices now by using boilerjuce.com
i would probably get a new tank and try the rayburn for now just to see how you go with it
as far as new systems go unless you rally love the look / lifstyle of the rayburn aga i wouldnt bother you will save alot of outlay just buying a normal boiler and seperate cooker (personally i would love one myself if i won the lottery i would have an alpha (its bigger than an aga) but i just couldnt justify it )
re the solar panels i would assume they are just for heating the water maybe a good plumber / heating engineer could come and check them out for you

[Grace & Favour]

Hi Penfold . .

You certainly find that the Solar panels are a complete waste of time unless you can get Govt funding to install them. - at the mo, the cost of purchase and installation is extremely high vis-a-vis the likely savings - - particularly at your latitude.

A number rof peeps are perfectly happy with LPG - and, assuming it's been safely installed - - I would not think there are any safety issues whatsoever.

Were I in your position I would definitely go for wood burning stove(s) and a back boiler / / / Not only can the newer design of wood burners be highly controllable - the heat they give off is delightful - -

Add to that the fact that oil is going to escalate in price again - whereas the best thing OH could put on his Christmas list is a petrol-driven chainsaw.

[holliemon]

Check your local authority as a friend of mine in neighbouring town have had solar panels put in at very little cost to them.

We have them in this house but we did not install them. The previous owners put them in around 17 years before we bought it and as he lived there a long time he made his money on them.

They aren't working at the mo I think we need a new pump it is something we should look into