Centre heating alternatives.

[4440]

Mother has a coal powered Rayburn in her house, it's on its last legs. Mother is finding it very hard to look after. The Rayburn heats the water, no radiators, just an open fire.
It's a 3 bed 1960s house with no gas main nearby.
I will have to add radiators and the need system that will heat the house and water with no maintenance.
Any suggestion?

 

[Timbo]

Mother has a coal powered Rayburn in her house, it's on its last legs. Mother is finding it very hard to look after. The Rayburn heats the water, no radiators, just an open fire.
It's a 3 bed 1960s house with no gas main nearby.
I will have to add radiators and the need system that will heat the house and water with no maintenance.
Any suggestion?

Outdoor oil boiler with cylinder & immersion next to it.

 

[Adeptandy]

Kero or LPG are the obvious ones

 

[goodevans]

Low maintenance could be air source ,not sure whether there are still payments and you would probably need oversized rads

 

[Wisconsonian]

Air or ground source heat pump, combined with improving the air sealing and insulation of the house. Hybrid electric water heater.

Around HERE, a 60's house would need a lot of work, but doable. No idea what type of construction you're looking at and what the best course of action for improving is. I would not put in an all new water heat system in an old house, even with improving the house it will be marginal efficiency to operate, and do you expect oil to be cheap for long?

 

[bobk]

1st job get some insulation installed

 

[4440]

Thanks for all the replies. I was thinking oil or gas would be straight forward., but I am also wondering what the government has planned for the future in the way of taxing un green energy.
The house has dubble glazing, cavity wall insulation and the loft has recently been re insulated.
I was wondering if the air or ground pump would work in an old house, I thought I would ask on here before I ask a sales man or builder.
Thanks everyone.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Oil would be easiest. Given her age she might qualify for grants ?

Alternatively a granny flat near you if possible.

Air source doesn't work well in very cold weather, which is bad for old people. Ground source is very expensive. Both require a good measure of insulation.

 

[bobk]

Oil would be easiest. Given her age she might qualify for grants ?

Alternatively a granny flat near you if possible.

Air source doesn't work well in very cold weather, which is bad for old people.

Easiest would be to rent an apartment in Spain in the winter , seriously .

 

[Adeptandy]

Air or ground source really works best with underfloor heating

 

[wanton dwarf]

Easiest would be to rent an apartment in Spain in the winter , seriously .

Not a bad idea if she can deal with a foreign country. Might get a bit lonely though.

 

[bobk]

Not a bad idea if she can deal with a foreign country. Might get a bit lonely though.

Loads do it mate . no brainer if your retired

 

[farmerfred86]

You could install a solar/battery system and then install electric heaters. Probably a lot better than installing the radiators?

Don't forget the green homes grant funding currently available.

 

[DrWazzock]

Mother has electric storage heaters, electric immersion heater and wood burner and plenty of insulation. Quite economical and low maintenance.

 

[4440]

Thanks, looking like air , ground systems are out.
Mother in not the best of health to fly, but I think it could have worked..
I will look at the green home grant, thanks for the idea.

 

[bigw]

Oil boiler, megaflo cylinder and radiators. I wouldn't bother with airsouce as we had to change a unit out after around 5 years.

 

[feilding]

Oil boiler with a unvented hot water system, great system no header tanks. Don't use a combination boiler, always problems stop/starting, I know a lot of people who have had combination boilers removed after 2 yrs.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Apparently there are 'bio' versions of heating oil already in use in some countries?