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      02-25-2013, 06:21 AM   #1
Sir_Pigley
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Anyone here expert on heating systems

Does anyone on here have any specialist knowledge about heating / boilers / fuel.

We are on LPG gas for our heating and cooking. It is getting stupidly expensive. From the 9th December to the 21st February we have used about £950 worth of gas.

This means that the last 12 months have cost around £2400 in gas bills. That's for a 5 bed modern house (1996) with cavity wall and loft insulation.

Seems excessive to me - what do others think? and what are my options for impacting these costs?
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      02-25-2013, 06:37 AM   #2
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We are paying around £2000 a year on mins gas, and that is being careful as last year it was £3200.

We live in a flat, it is an old building though with 13 rooms I think it is, we have stopped using the attic rooms as bedrooms it was costing too much to heat them, ripping the walls and ceilings out this year and putting new insulation in to try and save a few quid.

We saved a 1/3 just by putting in a decent digital thermostat.
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      02-25-2013, 06:43 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gIzzE View Post
We are paying around £2000 a year on mins gas, and that is being careful as last year it was £3200.

We live in a flat, it is an old building though with 13 rooms I think it is, we have stopped using the attic rooms as bedrooms it was costing too much to heat them, ripping the walls and ceilings out this year and putting new insulation in to try and save a few quid.

We saved a 1/3 just by putting in a decent digital thermostat.
Sounds a great building, Gizze
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      02-25-2013, 07:00 AM   #4
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Insulation standards for 1996 will no doubt be alot lower than todays standards so would be a good idea to upgrade that.

- Also what heating controls do you have?
- TRVs on all rads except where room stat is present?
- Well insulated DHW cylinder?

Is mains gas not an option?
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      02-25-2013, 07:05 AM   #5
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I don't know about that!!

It just needs constant work doing all the time.

Plus we only use 6 rooms, all the others need heating, cleaning, decorating etc. etc.


Thinking about converting the left hand section into a separate 2 bed flat now my daughter has go to uni, as we simply never use those rooms, there are 5 rooms down there, plus some attic space, so thinking of knocking two through to make a 35'x18' kitchen/living room with some nice folding doors so they can be separated and then converting the loft into a nice big master bedroom. Would have a second bedroom that could be an office, and then a bathroom at the end.
No garden though, but not really an issue with a flat I suppose?
I reckon if done nicely I could nearly pay my mortgage off, less the cost of the build.
I have got to the age where I am now thinking "Shit, should have been a bit wiser with my money over the years!'

Plus less the heat and maintain.
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      02-25-2013, 07:35 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willhollin View Post
Insulation standards for 1996 will no doubt be alot lower than todays standards so would be a good idea to upgrade that.

- Also what heating controls do you have?
- TRVs on all rads except where room stat is present?
- Well insulated DHW cylinder?

Is mains gas not an option?
Yes loft insulation does need doing.
TRV's present
New pressurised water system installed last year so cylinder should be splendid.

Mains gas is not an option unfortunately. I fancy a wood pellet boiler, but have been put off by the potential space needed for the fuel hopper and the initial capital cost.
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      02-25-2013, 08:19 AM   #7
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How much are you paying for your gas?
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      02-26-2013, 11:29 AM   #8
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How old is your boiler and what make is it?
In Scotland grants are available for loft and cavity wall insulation, not sure about south of the border.
Does your cylinder have an immersion if so you could use electricity to heat the water and how about showers? Electric or off the cylinder? It might be worth getting an electric shower in.
I live by myself in a four bed house and never use any hot water apart from shower, I know the investment in electric shower would outweigh heating up the cylinder.

I fitted a radiator in my garage to keep the car warm :-)
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      02-26-2013, 11:56 AM   #9
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In Scotland grants are available.......

I fitted a radiator in my garage to keep the car warm :-)
Don't you worry, we'll pay for that!!
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      02-26-2013, 12:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willhollin View Post
How much are you paying for your gas?
47p per litre + 5% VAT
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      02-26-2013, 12:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sparkie View Post
How old is your boiler and what make is it?
It's an Ideal Classic LXFF275P installed in 1996. Efficiency Rating

We have cavity wall and loft insulation although the latter could do with topping up.
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      02-26-2013, 01:19 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by gIzzE View Post
Don't you worry, we'll pay for that!!
You'll pay to heat up my garage? Sweet!

Boiler efficiency in the 70's is pretty poor. You could look into new boiler in the 90's but its the initial outlay is going to be close to a couple k. Although real time savings are just over £100 ish per year.
why don't you just buy a good Bergy fleece

Last edited by sparkie; 02-26-2013 at 01:24 PM.. Reason: me
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      02-27-2013, 01:39 PM   #13
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That sounds a bloody lot of money in gas for heating the house!! That'll almost cover my gas heating bill for the year! 3 bed semi........albeit a little smaller.
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