Advice Needed on heating systems for victorian Semi

[Harry1110]

I am the process of purchasing a 2 bedroom Victorian semi detached house to live in and would like some advice on a central heating system.

Currently the heating appears to be provide by electric storage heaters, with an emmersion tank for hot water upstairs and the electrics are as pictures enclosed these will be completely rewired subject to survey.

In newbie terms as far as i know my options for heating are to stick with electric which is expensive to run, or oil. I have no gas connection in my village.

Also after reading a bit on several non plumbing related forums have come across. The Ecodan air source heat pump central heating system which is expensive to install but very cost effective to run although electrical based.

The House is 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living room dinner and kitchen its not a large house quiet cosy really.

KITCHEN 11’ X 8’4”

SITTING ROOM/DINING ROOM 13’10” X 11’10”

Open Fireplace. Window to side. Open plan to
Dining Area (9’x8’4”) with window to rear.
REAR LOBBY
FIRST FLOOR LANDING
BEDROOM ONE 12’X7’9”
Former fireplace. Window to side. Opening to
Dressing Room (9’x7’6”) Window to rear (south
BEDROOM TWO 11’X 8’4”
Window to front. Former fireplace. Access to loft
space.
BATHROOM

I could just do with some advice and opinions on a suitable system, its costs and fitting Ie what i need radiators etc sizes boilers recommendations and other extras and things to consider. Just so i can put a job list together and get quotes in to do the work

Doing a central heating system is far and above my ability as an average diy

Thanks in advance for any help H

 

[dontknowitall]

It's probably best to get two or three plumbers/heating engineers in and ask their opinions but assuming you want some knowledge here's a few pointers:

You can have oil or an LPG gas cylinder (or solar or ...!)

I don't do gas but here are some oil ideas. There options but the wet plumbing (the water bit) is applicable to either oil or gas. So with oil ...

First though, you need to have visible access from the lorry to your oil tank for filling. You also need a base for the tank and there are loads of building regulations and OFTEC rules. To overcome all these means cost. I suspect the same applies to LPG cylinders too.

Assuming installing an oil tank is affordable and do-able there are various boiler options.

If space is limited inside the house you can have an external boiler. Alternatively you can have a boiler inside the house.

The type of boiler (gas or oil) will depend on other factors:

Is there an airing cupboard or can you make one to house a hot water cylinder? If so you could have a cold water storage cistern to store your cold water, a hot water cylinder to store your hot water and a standard feed and expansion tank upstairs for the heating. If you have the space for this set up a standard (condensing) boiler can heat the system and heats the hot water cylinder.

If you haven't the space for these (hot water cylinder, water tanks in the loft, etc) then a combi boiler is the last option though filling a bath is sometimes tedious with a combi.

The basic difference is a combi boiler heats water as it passes through while a system boiler heats water in a stored container.

Another consideration is the flue from the boiler. Loads of rules and regulations and if this is tricky for an internal boiler this is often why people choose an external boiler.

These next two paragraphs are risky!!

I think you're probably looking at a good two (maybe three) weeks of work for one person to install all this or a week to ten days for two people.

And a finger in the air price will be around £8,000. (This sentence is dangerous as I'm sure someone will say that's well over priced!! Equally someone else could slam me for cheapening the trade!!) I've only given it as an indication as it's impossible to be more accurate without seeing exactly what is what.

Hopefully there's some food for thought.

 

[Winston]

Fair bit of work there by the look of it. Who did the bathroom suite?

 

[migoplumber]

above comment is perfect, you could also use, an ASHP boiler, and install a conventional system, if you have money to spend then a GSHP as well. either system connected with solar would be a lovely option. throw away the existing standard electric heaters.

 

[tackleburger]

Is that a Shanks "Trevor" basin if so it's worth a few quid. You need a survey from a few guys as stated. I would imagine LPG is more flexible with regards to siting and probably cost. It is now cheaper to run than oil I believe.

However all option are open as your house isn't massive shop around get a good recommended local plumber in.

 

[radswilldo]

If you want air source heat pumps you will have to massively upgrade insulation, Loft, glazing walls,etc. The manufacturer's will be straight with you, they dont want mis-sells. Due to size of property, if possible, it would be ideal. Ground source would be eye wateringly expensive and most likely impracticle for your needs, again speak to manufacturer. Also look at wood pellet burner's, though not my forte

 

[Harry1110]

Thanks very much for all your advice i will investigate all those options then when get some quotes will post for opinions @dontknowitall thanks very much for the detail has really helped.

 

[mark_mc]

i just personally done up a victorian house, i installed a back-boiler, oil boiler and solar panels. with a 3coil vented cylinder its a brillant job. I am a plumber by trade so was done quite cheap just had to buy the materials.
as everyone is saying on the fourms to install a air source pump you would have to install a ton of insulation and the prep work to get it work right would be nearly impossible some heating systems such as that are for new builds and are designed to be part of the fabic of the building.

 

[Buzzfan]

Hi - the correct answer may well depend on your plans - are you intending to stay 10 yrs plus, or leave after 2-4 years. The reason is that the different installation costs and property resale values will be more significant than the different running costs.

Before considering, it is worth insulating to the highest standard practical.

These are the typical 3 bed well insulated semi comparable running cost figures from the Which Guide for the current fuel cost for central heating and hot water:

Gas - standard boiler : £ 730 a year
Gas - Consensing Boiler : £ 490
Electricty Economy 7 : £ 870
LPG : £ 830
Oil - standard boiler : £ 1100
Oil - Condensing boiler : £ 740
Wood inc back boiler : £ 510
GSHP (heat pump) : - 450

No info on Air source heat pump
No info on solar heating, except to say £ 190 could be saved

The wood option with back boiler serving radiators via indirect water cylinder gets my vote, esp if added with solar heating & super insulation, and an electric boiler just to top up. It will be low cost to install, low cost to run, suit an older property, and once you have 3 yrs low energy bills to show a future skeptical buyer, you should get a good resale.

GSHP woudl be a good choice for a new build, with super air-tightness, super insulation and wet underfloor heating. There is currently a £ 2500 grant avalilable for the low carbon solutions - see Low carbon buildings programme - grants for microgeneration - Low Carbon Buildings Programme but I'd bet the grant will be offset by thge mandatory use of accredited installers.

Additionally, anyone on benefits or over 60 can usually get grants, up to the entire installation cost in some cases.

 

[Renewable M]

A simple air source heat pump. runs on single phase electricity, which you have. Its a small property, so you're not asking too much from the technology.

no stored fuel, no tanks in the garden, plenty of hot water......the only difference is lower running costs.

there are some very good ashp's for sensible money. ask if you need to know more

....and bloody cheap to install. main cable and flow return. easy. and yes, you can run radiators. the days of ashp's only being any good for underfloor are long gone.