Forum menu
We're in the process of buying a late Victorian 4 bed detached house which has oil fired central heating and hot water. The boiler doesn't work so will need to be replaced before winter.
Is there any technology or system that will give me similar or lower total cost of ownership (over say 10 years) than just replacing the boiler and then stumping up for the rising cost of oil?
We don't mind spending more now to switch to a different technology if the running costs would be much lower and so pay for itself within 10 years. Any longer and we'll probably move again so won't reap the benefits.
We've got plenty of space to site a new boiler or system either inside or outside the house. No mains gas in the area. Also the house doesn't have any chimneys or fieplaces (all ripped out in the 70s).
Solar thermal to reduce hot water bills is about it really without getting really expensive.. An air source heat pump wouldn't be suitable
A thermal store so that you can integrate Solar Thermal with whatever other heating method(s) you go for is something Id seriously consider.
After that you're really thinking about Biomass vs a new oil boiler and there the front end cost is going to go away from Biomass, however, lifecycle + fuel costs for Biomass vs Oil over the life of a biomass boiler (20yrs) go back in favour of Biomass.
Easy-Heat energy efficient electric radiators
ahahhahhaa! 😆
In the sense that 1 kWh of electrical energy = 1kWh of heat, then yes, energy efficient. Oil & biomass boilers might only be 95% + efficient, but they're c.30-50% cheaper per kWh of fuel.
[img] 
[/img]
Electric space and/or DHW heating should really only be considered as back up (Immersion in a thermal store, say) unless money means little to you. And Im still not convinced of the 300-500% "efficiency" of heat pumps either.
I'm not in any way an expert on it all I can say is that for us it was cheaper to install than gas central heating and our all electric house costs less to run than an identical propertys gas bill alone. At some stage we will hook it up for solar panels as well. Biomass not a practical option for us. Monthly electric cost is sub £50 per month.
have a look at woodburning stoves, with a back boiler.
i installed one at my parents house, worked out well for them.
You might want to review the any longer as having installed the alternative heating it should add value to your house.
Possible RHI payments should be considered.
Thermal store should be considered, but not all biomass needs to go into one. Solar thermal can be used into one, but you could just use solar thermal into a hot water cylinder. Thermal stores lose quite a lot of heat compared to a standard cylinder I'm led to believe.
Stoner - you can't fall for the 300% efficient... I had you down as smarter than that!
If you are going to get RHI then biomass will be probably pay back within 10 years, depending on the system.
If you are SE based can show you some biomass plant, if not can put you in touch with a good (but expensive before Stoner gets on it!) maker of biomass, but there kit and controls are very good and proven.
I also have a life cycle analysis spreadsheet that is interesting but would need some more info to plug into it.
If interested mail me timATj-twren.eclipse.co.uk
Good luck!
Stoner - you can't fall for the 300% efficient... I had you down as smarter than that!
you know what I mean, Bear. Pedant! 😉