Central heating choices.

[thunderhorse]

The house we're looking at purchasing has an old oil c/h boiler (servicable). Cast iron pipes run through the grenier and along the beams, and even across one window, and I'm loathe to convert the grenier with a layout dictated by these substantial lagged pipes. It has been indicated that re-routing all the pipework would not be cost-effective. There is no hot water tank: turning the tap flashes up the boiler, apparently. It appears quite inefficient and costly, so perhaps it's better to have the lot out.

What to replace with? All other things being equal, is gas from a garden tank cheaper to run than an oil system? Is it better to keep the c/h separate and install a hot water tank on cheap-rate electricity? With a modern and efficient boiler to run, say, six or seven rads, does anybody have any ball-park figures for having had this work done?

Could a decent insert with a ducted air system or back boiler be just as viable?

The house is tradional stone, about 150 - 200 y.o., five moderate rooms downstairs, hopefully two new bedrooms in the grenier.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Cheers.

[Patf]

There are a few threads on this subject and the general concensus is that wood is the cheapest fuel though more labour-intensive. Do a search.We have a gas tank and the system is good but expensive. One point - choose your boiler carefully because certain types qualify for a tax rebate if installed by a registered artisan. (If you make a tax return as a resident.)