Best heating solution.

David09

At present we have a standard oil fired heating system in a two bedroom cottage. The boiler and burner is decrepit and leaking and really needs to be replaced. I've thought about replacing with a modern condensing boiler but was told that if the return temperature wasn't correct that it would be a waste of money.
There is a disconnected back boiler in the fireplace. What would the chances be of re-commisioning this to use in parallel with the oil system in order to save fuel? We have only a single coil copper cylinder. Is there some way it can be connected in without changing the cylinder?

The other option is to bin the whole lot and replace with a combi-boiler? Are these any good in terms of efficency and would it be a good idea??

heinbloed

got an engine - what car should i get now? (smiley)

Get a heating engineer in. Better two, working independantly.

David09

heinbloed wrote: »

got an engine - what car should i get now? (smiley)

Get a heating engineer in. Better two, working independantly.

My application is fairly typical in that it is a small two bedroomed cottage. It's a small house, not a massive office block! I'd imagine a heating engineer would be overkill, especially when I could sum up the pros and cons of what's out there and decide myself.

That's exactly the reason why I posted in here, to find the best solution!!

heinbloed

Well, what energy demand has to be met?

Outkast_IRE

David09 wrote: »

My application is fairly typical in that it is a small two bedroomed cottage. It's a small house, not a massive office block! I'd imagine a heating engineer would be overkill, especially when I could sum up the pros and cons of what's out there and decide myself.

That's exactly the reason why I posted in here, to find the best solution!!

Ok back boiler waste of money more energy goes up the chimney than anywhere else, seriously consider a stove, in a small cottage like a dwelling they could potentially heat most of the place.

As for the condensing boiler yes the return temp needs to be right for maximum efficency , but you defo see a big efficency increase from a old leaking crap boiler anyway. If you get a good plumber he should be willing to try and size boiler correctly for heating load to try and achieve correct flow and return temps.

Most people see only a heating engineer as necessary on big jobs , but they can be very useful on domestic jobs with all the new regs and insulating etc coming into play , as you said prob not necessary in a small cottage. I would recomend consulting with one if you ever did a full overhaul of the cottage.

JohnnieK

Increasing the size of the radiators will also help in regulating the return temp. A combi boiler would be a good option for you but feed it from a break tank if possible the reason for this is mains water failure, you will still have a store of water for it.