New boiler or are they being phased out/fossil fuels

Curlyhatescurls

Hi All,

I have a 25 year old oil fired boiler for central heating and old water immersion with switch. The boiler is so stinky when it runs, it’s a FireBird clunky thing- we’ve had to get it fixed three times over the past 2 years. It looks like something out of soviet Russia. I’d love to get a new boiler and what I really want are smart controls. However, my Dad was saying to just wait because boilers will be a thing of the past soon and he thinks there will soon be even more pressure from the EU and grants to get the heat pump air to water system.

Does anyone have any advice? We can’t afford the heat pump system now, but can afford a new boiler. Our current boiler is working but it may break down, it’s very stinky, and we have a 3 month old baby in the house.

893bet

Get the boiler. They will be around for a long time.

Installing a heat pump in the absence of ofther significant work is disaster from what I see. Insulation and especially Airtightness become more crucial as the heat pump is “always on”.

Sleeper12

As in post above. It could cost €40k to bring your home up to a high enough BER to make heat pumps suitable for your home. I'd replace with a new boiler & get the system spilt into three zones. I think there is still a grant for getting the zones

rowantree18

As mentioned - in order for heat pumps to be efficient the house already needs to be well insulated and airtight to the point of having a mechanical ventilation system. So if you're currently not able to afford pretty much a full renovation, they'd be useless. There are grants which you could look into. They assist with a more full renovation including pumps. A good combi boiler should be OK for you if the above is a non runner. Sibling has combi boiler and very happy.

I live in a house with pumps - absolutely love it. I hate a cold house and mine is always warm and dry.

Calahonda52

Get the boiler, not clear from your post if the oil does heat the hot water or if its only the immersion

Tefral

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058314748/new-boiler-or-are-they-being-phased-out-fossil-fuels

As someone who has a heatpump in their house and as someone who is over alot of people that install boilers and heatpumps, I can safetly say get the boiler. Theres grant boilers that are 97% efficient now.

A heatpump will cost you a fortune unless your house has very low airchanges per hour, like less than 3 and if you get to that level, you need to look at mechanically controlled ventilation and then more insulation etc etc.

Get him to spend the money on some energy upgrades like insulation etc. SEAI do grants for all that stuff now too.

Incidently, putting controls on the new boiler will actually bring up your BER Result so its worth looking at.

Curlyhatescurls

Wow- thank you everyone for all the replies and advice!! I really really appreciate it! Seems very clear to me to just get the new boiler and three zone smart controls- I’m also going to look into our attic insulation etc! Many thanks all 🙏

jimf

depends on the location of your existing boiler it may also be possible to fit an external model

hard to better grant vortex

Wearb

That boiler should not smell at all. Your annual service person is leaving something undone. Probably needs a new flange or ram seal, depending on the burner fitted.

Tom44

And note, all oil boilers manafactured for the last 4 years and from now, are compatible for HVO Bio Fuel as well as kerosene, and 80% less immisions.

Google hvo fuel, you'll be amazed, I even run my van on it.

HVO+Fuel+For+Up+To+90%+CO2+Reduction.jpg

Water John

Agree with going with the oil boiler. Family member taking over our original house, built 1990. They won't upgrade for a few years. The oil boiler has given up, so a new one is going in. Yes the heating upgrade and insulation could be around €40K, but about half that can be got in grants. With the new whole house upgrade scheme, you pay up €20K and the company doing the upgrade gets the other half directly from SEAI.