Heating system for existing house?

Shefwedfan

Hope this is ok to ask here. I am looking to buy a house and have my eye on one. I have had one viewing and already aware I need to do a lot of work. So far I can see I need to:

Insulate loft
Cavity wall insulation
Replace fireplaces with stoves
replace all doors/windows with new energy efficient option

Currently the heating system is oil. Both the radiators and boiler are old and would need replacement. The house is 270 sq metre floor area.

The only option I can think of for the heating is:
Replace boiler with condenser boiler, replace all radiators and put on TRV's. Stay with oil.
Along with oil put solar panels to provide hot water, potentially look at Energie which will heat house as well
Check piping to see if I can put Dual zones etc

There is a large garden at front and back of house and really that is why I am interested in it.

Really I am not sure about other options?
I have friends with Geothermal but they all installed on new builds with underfloor heating. As house is already build will Geothermal work with radiators?
Is there other options I should think of?

As the house is quite large I can see it costing a lot to heat so insulation is a must but want to have in my head what I will do with heating if I buy so I can make sure I have budget to cover. Anyone have other idea's?

Thanks

Walter Becket

I assume Nat. Gas isn't an option.
Unless you have a huge budget stick with oil. Spend most on insulation and draught proofing.
Unless you don't like the existing rads. keep them and when you replace the boiler get them power flushed.and of course for trvs and zone if you can.

Shefwedfan

Walter Becket wrote: »

I assume Nat. Gas isn't an option.
Unless you have a huge budget stick with oil. Spend most on insulation and draught proofing.
Unless you don't like the existing rads. keep them and when you replace the boiler get them power flushed.and of course for trvs and zone if you can.

I was told before the older radiators are terrible so you are better to replace them with the newer type which release more heat from them. Not sure if that is correct?

Gas not an option, it is out in the country

I can't post link or pic. They are older really long ones but really narrow. They are probably from 70's. I think they are cast iron. Most of them are single rad....

Walter Becket

I wouldn't agree. Older rads. hold
more water per kw of heat output but this really makes very little difference it does not mean that they will use more oil than new rads. They will be oversized after you insulate the house.

Shefwedfan

Walter Becket wrote: »

I wouldn't agree. Older rads. hold
more water per kw of heat output but this really makes very little difference it does not mean that they will use more oil than new rads. They will be oversized after you insulate the house.

Interesting, I would have always replaced the older radiators. I know in the current area I live in anytime a house is been done up you always see the radiators been thrown out....and then a big bust by people driving around in vans to get them quickly

Walter Becket

The only times I have replaced all the rads. In a house has been when replacing gun barrel pipe in the floor; because the customer wanted new rads. (because the old ones didn't look good any more) and when a number had leaked and it was felt that it was only a matter of time before the rest leaked.
I have replaced one or two in a house because they were not big enough this is usually because they were undersized in the first place.