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Looking for advice from experienced owners

  • 28-03-2013 09:22AM
    #1
    dardis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78 ✭✭


    I am in the process of upgrading the heating system in our 10 year old house. Its a 3 bed semi-detached estate house in Kells, co. Meath.

    This week I am having the cavities pumped and the attic insulated.

    I'm looking for advice on the heating system. We have the oil heating so I was going to get a new more efficient boiler. I was thinking of a stove in the sitting room with a back boiler and solar for the hot water.

    In your opinion (and experience) is this a worthwhile investment? Will I get my money back in savings or is there anything else I should be looking into.

    Also if you could do something different now after you upgraded what would you do? Thanks for any advice.


Comments

  • #2
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 42,644 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    The first thing i would consider is a stove with back boiler, easy enough to add to an oil system. Burn wood based products if you can store them on site.

    While solar is something i would encourage, you may find this has the slowest return on investment. Adding a solar system would mean installing a new larger storage cylinder, triple coil, and additional pipework and electric work. You need to do the sums on this one.

    The cheapest and easiest way to retain heat is to seal up as much air leakage points as possible. A caulk gun is your best friend for this. Check all windows and doors. Check all seals and replace if necessary. Tighten closing mechanisms if possible. Install draught strips and latches on your attic access, and insulate it. Make sure all pipes and services that penetrate your external wall are sealed fully, both internally and eternally.


  • #3
    fclauson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,691 ✭✭✭fclauson


    but make sure you keep the required ventalation gaps open - read Part F to understand this


  • #4
    dara.obriain
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭dara.obriain


    I am in the same situation having just bought a house built in 1960 which I am renovating. There is mains gas which needs a boiler service and 2 fireplaces downstairs, one of which has a backboiler on it. I am replacing the water cylinder in the next few weeks. I have put 300mm insulation in the attic and will dry line the solid block walls over the next few weeks also. The house is terraced and so has an exposed wall at front and back and bottomlevel on one side.
    Would appreciate any general advice about best options long-term for heating water and rads. Have considered buying a multi-fuel stove to hook up to the backbolier which would do the winter months and then use the gas for the rest of the year to heat the water. Immersion would be backup. Does the stove influence the type of cylinder I should buy??
    Am prepared to invest for the longterm if it makes sense. would look at solar panels as back garden is south facing and gets great sunlight. Any advice really appreciated.


  • #5
    fclauson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,691 ✭✭✭fclauson


    dara.obriain wrote: »
    ... Does the stove influence the type of cylinder I should buy??

    Yes -plan out how many inputs you tank is going to need before you purchase

    solar tends to go in at the bottom as its lower grade heat
    boiler top to bottom


  • #6
    ccsolar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 423 ✭✭ccsolar


    Hi
    You would be best to fit a triple coil cylinder and future proof your options for the solid fuel and solar,
    Most suppliers will give you a good deal on the cylinder hoping to get the sale on the solar in the future.
    As you live in a terrace house have you considered external insulation, you would qualify for the grant and as its only front and back walls the cost should be greatly reduced.
    Cc


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  • #7
    daver123
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 208 ✭✭daver123


    dardis wrote: »
    I am in the process of upgrading the heating system in our 10 year old house. Its a 3 bed semi-detached estate house in Kells, co. Meath.

    This week I am having the cavities pumped and the attic insulated.

    I'm looking for advice on the heating system. We have the oil heating so I was going to get a new more efficient boiler. I was thinking of a stove in the sitting room with a back boiler and solar for the hot water.

    In your opinion (and experience) is this a worthwhile investment? Will I get my money back in savings or is there anything else I should be looking into.

    Also if you could do something different now after you upgraded what would you do? Thanks for any advice.

    If you are thinking of installing solar have a look at these systems from kingspan, you can get your new cylinder as part of the kit. Maybe you are eligible for a grant as part of the warmer homes scheme, check that out as well. The south facing roof is ideal for solar so it would be a shame to not capitalize on it if you can afford the cost. I got the 20 tube system from kingspan and it is linked to a gas condensing boiler.

    http://www.kingspansolar.ie/products/solarpackage.aspx


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