Suggestions for heating system in old house

a_ominous

I'm looking for suggestions and approx costs for installing central heating into an old house (estimate >100 years old). My MIL died a few weeks ago and in following up insurance, companies are not very willing to insure second house due to issues like frozen pipes in unoccupied dwelling. Last winter, there were some frozen pipes but no real damage, but house was without water for 10 days. Pipes to own well froze as they're not deep enough.
There is a solid fuel stove in kitchen and open fires in 2 of 4 other rooms. We'll need a automatic system as we won't be in house except at weekends. Options are oil, gas, wood chip. Wife reluctant to go for oil as she's heard too many stories of 'tinkers' stealing oil. From little bit of reading, LPG could be an option. I was considering wood chip but someone we know said there are problems with humidy and systems getting clogged with wood that isn't dry enough.

So I'm looking for some real life experiences about what heating systems we should consider and approx costs. We will be keeping the house on for a few more years as there are tax implications in selling.

Stove Fan

a_ominous wrote: »

I'm looking for suggestions and approx costs for installing central heating into an old house (estimate >100 years old). My MIL died a few weeks ago and in following up insurance, companies are not very willing to insure second house due to issues like frozen pipes in unoccupied dwelling. Last winter, there were some frozen pipes but no real damage, but house was without water for 10 days. Pipes to own well froze as they're not deep enough.
There is a solid fuel stove in kitchen and open fires in 2 of 4 other rooms. We'll need a automatic system as we won't be in house except at weekends. Options are oil, gas, wood chip. Wife reluctant to go for oil as she's heard too many stories of 'tinkers' stealing oil. From little bit of reading, LPG could be an option. I was considering wood chip but someone we know said there are problems with humidy and systems getting clogged with wood that isn't dry enough.

So I'm looking for some real life experiences about what heating systems we should consider and approx costs. We will be keeping the house on for a few more years as there are tax implications in selling.

Sorry to hear of your MIL.

Couldn't you turn the water off outside and drain everything?

Fit oil heating and get a tenant in to pay for the oil:D

Couldn't resist sorry:) I quess you wouldn't want to rent it out?

Stove Fan:)

Outkast_IRE

LPG is the most expensive fuel in this option in terms of both installation and fuel costs.

Oil is your best bet for a good install and has better fuel prices than lpg.

Wood chip etc i wouldnt reccomend .

Yes people rob oil , people will rob anything , you could just position the tank and boiler out of view from the road if possible and never get a full fill and see how it goes from there.

As for costs thats impossible to tell you , i would reccomend making up your mind on oil or lpg and then get at least 3 people in to price the job to the same standard and maybe ask them to insualte any pipework in attics aswell with armaflex.

JohnnieK

You could electrify the oil tank so they will fry if they touch it :D only joking. I would go oil too with a frost stat and there are loads of control options to choose from.
Outkast is right with the Armaflex. I've yet to see frost get through that stuff. At least 13mm wall thickness for the attic.

a_ominous

Thanks for the suggestions, getting some quotes now.
For gas tank, Calor have to dig hole and prep site. Don't expect that to be cheap given there's no competition, but we'll see...

JohnnieK

a_ominous wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions, getting some quotes now.
For gas tank, Calor have to dig hole and prep site. Don't expect that to be cheap given there's no competition, but we'll see...

Try FloGas.

Good loser

I like electric under floor heating - zoned in ground floor.

Outkast_IRE

Good loser wrote: »

I like electric under floor heating - zoned in ground floor.

Wouldnt you have to dig up the floors and put insulation down , then lay the electric underfloor then screed over it , sounds like potentially the most expensive option to me .

paddyandy

I've lived in old houses and even in summer they're difficult to keep warm and draughts can seemingly come out of nowhere.I suggest you get an expert with no agenda and give him a few euros to have a good look at the problem.It would pay in the long term.