Stove with back boiler for CH?

[Hitch]

We're looking at a house which uses a very large multifuel stove with a back boiler to fire the CH.

We have a log burner in our current house and whilst I like it I can't imagine it would be much fun to have to light a fire to get the CH on in wintry months or tend to the fire to ensure the house stays warm.

Am I missing something or is it just a massive trade off in convenience for the benefit of low fuel costs? The chap has sheds full of mixed timber so must have a source.

[Hitch]

Will look into it. The chap says he puts some 'cobs' on it from a local fuel supplier before bed time. I'm guessing they're slow burning compacted pellets of some sort.

[Hitch]

Yeah I think it is pretty low tech at present. It looks as if the back boiler feeds copper pipes which head directly to radiators so it is either on and hot (I assume variably so) or off and cold. There's an immersion for water on a timer.

[Hitch]

Thanks all. I get the sense that it works perfectly for the two retired people who are there but with three young kids and me working away a lot my wife would quickly get pissed off at a cold house and fire starting so convenience is a big thing.