what heating system

self_builder

Im hoping to start building a storey and a half 2700 sq.ft. house in the next few weeks. Am totally confused as to which heating system to put in.

Need to keep costs as reasonable as possible. Don't have the luxury of putting v.high costs in now and saving in the future. Am hoping to insulate as well as possible (funds permitting) and put in lower outlay cost heating option.

The easy(cheap/less risk in short term) option seems to be to put in oil + a solid fuel stove with a back boiler + solar panels to meet building regulations. I'd rather not have the solid fuel stove but are there any other reasonably priced options out there? Would an air-water heat pump with LST radiators be efficient enough and not have huge electricity bills?

I know people have done huge amounts of research on this and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

BryanF

self_builder wrote: »

Im hoping to start building a storey and a half 2700 sq.ft. house in the next few weeks. Am totally confused as to which heating system to put in.

Need to keep costs as reasonable as possible. Don't have the luxury of putting v.high costs in now and saving in the future. Am hoping to insulate as well as possible (funds permitting) and put in lower outlay cost heating option.

The easy(cheap/less risk in short term) option seems to be to put in oil + a solid fuel stove with a back boiler + solar panels to meet building regulations. I'd rather not have the solid fuel stove but are there any other reasonably priced options out there? Would an air-water heat pump with LST radiators be efficient enough and not have huge electricity bills?

I know people have done huge amounts of research on this and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

Provisional BER done ?

self_builder

Looking into getting one done now from advice on other posts. Would appreciate all avenues of advice however....

Condenser

self_builder wrote: »

Im hoping to start building a storey and a half 2700 sq.ft. house in the next few weeks. Am totally confused as to which heating system to put in.

Need to keep costs as reasonable as possible. Don't have the luxury of putting v.high costs in now and saving in the future. Am hoping to insulate as well as possible (funds permitting) and put in lower outlay cost heating option.

The easy(cheap/less risk in short term) option seems to be to put in oil + a solid fuel stove with a back boiler + solar panels to meet building regulations. I'd rather not have the solid fuel stove but are there any other reasonably priced options out there? Would an air-water heat pump with LST radiators be efficient enough and not have huge electricity bills?

I know people have done huge amounts of research on this and would really appreciate any advice. Thanks

If you're considering a heat pump do not go cutting corners and putting in rads. Put in a proper low temp system such as underfloor or wall heating. Also your electricity bills depend on your equipment yes, but far moreso on your installer, their installation practices and their knowledge of heat pumps. I know its hard for a layman to know exactly how truthful what he's being told is but I think most people can identify when someone knows their stuff and someones a spoofer. In such an important purchase you shouldn't let price be your guide. There might be 2-3k in the difference between the system you know you should get and the one your wallet likes but in something so integral to the build its small change. A wrong choice could cost you 5 times that in the long run.

self_builder

Wall heating?

Condenser

self_builder wrote: »

Wall heating?

8mm or 12mm underfloor heating pipe that is plastered into your wall. More popular on refurbishments where excavating floors isn't an option but used in new builds also. Can also come as part of a prefabricated fermacell panel (alternative to plaster board) but its expensive.

self_builder

Thanks Condenser. Dont think that will be an option for us. If we did go for underfloor - and we're very nervous about getting this done correctly not to mention the expense - would you be recommending air to water?

Condenser

self_builder wrote: »

Thanks Condenser. Dont think that will be an option for us. If we did go for underfloor - and we're very nervous about getting this done correctly not to mention the expense - would you be recommending air to water?

I would only use Air to water if other types of heat pump weren't possible. You should exhaust the other options first. You'll get better running costs, longer service life, higher reliability, won't need defrosts and because most air to water units have their compressor in the outside unit they have to run a sump heater to keep the oil warm to keep its viscosity down. That can consume about 200w per hr so is an expense that must be considered. They are a decent option if you simply don't have the room to site a collector or drill a bore (which is rare).

self_builder

Thanks Condenser. Definitely cannot afford geothermal at present prices so that is not an option for now. The reason I'm not keen on stoves is the need to refill regularly and the dust/cleanliness or lack thereof. It would be in an open plan kitchen/living area. Anyone any other alternatives? Thanks