Oil Space Heaters V Central Heating Costs

monkeyactive

Hi there ,

We rarely have the central heating on during the day as were not here.

During the winter months we might have it on for a while but many of the radiators would be turned off as we don't need those rooms. And in our main living room area we normally have a fire going most evenings so wouldn't need the radiator on there either.

Recently we have had an issue with the central heating and it looks like an expensive black hole for us.

I have been thinking would it just be cheaper for us in this lifestyle to keep a few of those oil space heaters and use them as we need in the rooms we are using.

With the standing charges for the gas bill etc we pay all year round even though we only need it for about 3-4 months.

I'm going to try look into it but just wanted to post it up here to see if this is just this madness or would it work out cheaper with a few quality electric space heaters that are only on when needed?

cruizer101

Natural gas costs about 7c/kWh electricity costs 17c\kWh Source

If you are only heating one or two rooms it could well be cheaper to use electric, something like a superser might be a good option too, not sure what the cost will be there, probably somewhere in the middle.

You'd have to do some sums yourself, how long are you putting rads on for etc.

Also have to consider other things like comfort levels, etc.

John.G

Can you get readings for any period last year either a one month or a two month period, depending on payment methods, Dcember or January or December/January or Jan/Feb, it gives the billing period and the consumption, I think, in kwh, can soon see then what makes sense, don't forget you still need something to heat your hot water, if you use electric showers then not a big extra for hand washing etc from electric immersion.

Ubbquittious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118122487#Comment_118122487

You are using absolute best case electricity costs there. Most likely one will be paying at least 22c/kw

cruizer101

Its probably a bit optimistic going forward though both Electric Ireland and SSE have rate of 17 or less.

It was more to show the ballpark difference in rates, you would want to check your figures before making a decision, and if you were to heat via electricity you would likely go for the best case electricity cost.

ercork

Running the fire probably costs more than the gas heating. I would get rid of that instead. Especially when you factor in the terrible health impacts of fires.

Murph85

If you often have fire running , why not just put in stove with back boiler ?

monkeyactive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118124830#Comment_118124830

Terrible health impacts? Say more

ercork

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118141924#Comment_118141924

When you burn solid fuels (coal, wood, turf) it generates very small particles called Particulate Matter (PM). These are more or less invisible so you won't see plumes of black smoke. But the people in the room where the fire is burning are directly exposed to them. Also the people in the wider neighbourhood are exposed via chimney emissions. PM can lead to all sors of respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis. But the very small particles (called PM2.5) can also lead to a wide range of cardiovascular illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, dimentia.

Where possible, it is best to avoid the use of solid fuels. So if you have a gas central heating system you're much better off sticking to that.

Some further info below:

https://irishheart.ie/news/public-unaware-of-serious-health-impacts-of-burning-smoky-fuel/