Probably a stupid question...
Discussion
Sorry if this seems like a really silly question but I honestly don't have a clue. And the internet is just confusing me 
So if I was to own a flat that didn't have gas connected, and won't have gas connected, would I be able to put in electric central heating? I know I would need an electric boiler, some pipes
and some radiators (plus a f
k load of money)
The question is, is it possible to run central heating from an electric boiler? And also what kind of boiler would it be, combi, condensing etc etc.
It would need to heat 1 large room, 2 smaller rooms, a largeish hallway and a small bathroom. The cellings are probably about 3.5-4m high
but the flat does have double glazing and isn't massively cold at the moment.
It would also have to provide a small amount of hot water, although the shower is electric at the moment this might be getting changed (far) in the future so it will need the capacity to produce more hot water.
So if anyone has any advice or knowledge so that I can start to look around and work out how much money I will need to start saving from the paycheck that would be really helpful.
So if I was to own a flat that didn't have gas connected, and won't have gas connected, would I be able to put in electric central heating? I know I would need an electric boiler, some pipes
and some radiators (plus a fk load of money)The question is, is it possible to run central heating from an electric boiler? And also what kind of boiler would it be, combi, condensing etc etc.
It would need to heat 1 large room, 2 smaller rooms, a largeish hallway and a small bathroom. The cellings are probably about 3.5-4m high
but the flat does have double glazing and isn't massively cold at the moment. It would also have to provide a small amount of hot water, although the shower is electric at the moment this might be getting changed (far) in the future so it will need the capacity to produce more hot water.
So if anyone has any advice or knowledge so that I can start to look around and work out how much money I will need to start saving from the paycheck that would be really helpful.
You COULD run an electric boiler, but they aren't cheap to run. Whatever else you have, I'd go for a direct hot water cylinder on a cheap overnight tariff if you can for hot water. For space heating I'd say either storage heaters or possibly air source (although there are a lot of conditions to look at with this option).
So basically it will cost a bomb to (install and) run central heating on an electric boiler? Sorry if I am being dense, I really know nothing about all of this.
Surely it is possible for the electric boiler to heat water to be pumped around a central heating system?
So am I looking at just putting in good (stylish) storage heaters to heat the flat?
Cheers.
Surely it is possible for the electric boiler to heat water to be pumped around a central heating system?
So am I looking at just putting in good (stylish) storage heaters to heat the flat?
Cheers.
You could do that, yes, but daytime electricity is very expensive. You might as well just run electric fan heaters on the walls, to be honest. The idea with storage is that they heat up at night when the electricity is cheaper. Yes, they can be uncontrollable, but it's a case of getting the best you can.
Me(spark) and my mate(plumber) just fitted an electric boiler in his house he recently moved in to as he doesn't have gas.
He got the system for approx £2K (trade) and I wired it up.
He was advised to change his eleccy tariff to economy 2000, he's with scottish power.
This tariff has 3 different meter readings, which is supposed to work out cheaper, his heating is off for 6 hours of each day, not sure of exact times or the inns and outs of the tariff though.
Not sure how much it will all cost to run in the future but time will tell.
I guess it wont be that cheap, especially with the hike in energy prices.
He got the system for approx £2K (trade) and I wired it up.
He was advised to change his eleccy tariff to economy 2000, he's with scottish power.
This tariff has 3 different meter readings, which is supposed to work out cheaper, his heating is off for 6 hours of each day, not sure of exact times or the inns and outs of the tariff though.
Not sure how much it will all cost to run in the future but time will tell.
I guess it wont be that cheap, especially with the hike in energy prices.
Oil filled electric radiators and some timers would be a start - I think they are somewhat more efficient than the fan heaters (and much quieter too!)
We found storage heaters incredibly expensive to run, and useless if you go to work - by the time you get home all the heat will be gone from them (even with them closed right up)
We found storage heaters incredibly expensive to run, and useless if you go to work - by the time you get home all the heat will be gone from them (even with them closed right up)
Well I have found out that there is in fact gas in the building. So that makes life somewhat easier. 
I think its going to be a case of buying bits of the system as I can afford them. I have expensive tastes so its going to be the traditional collum radiator type. Which to buy new are about £400 for a medium sized one!!! Will be touring salvage yards me thinks!
Also the boiler is going to be super expensive. What an unexciting way of spending £2000! And then there's the installation. Great. I am going to be super skint for the next 3 years trying to pay for this!
With regards to the log burning stove, there are two fireplaces in the flat, both have been blocked up at some point, one better than the other. I have no idea what kind of state the chimneys are in. I understand that I would probably have to get them 'lined' whatever that means. That is assuming that they are in an ok condition.
I assume I would find out from the stove company what kind of condition the chimneys are in?
goes off to google wood burning stove prices
I think its going to be a case of buying bits of the system as I can afford them. I have expensive tastes so its going to be the traditional collum radiator type. Which to buy new are about £400 for a medium sized one
!!! Will be touring salvage yards me thinks! Also the boiler is going to be super expensive. What an unexciting way of spending £2000! And then there's the installation. Great. I am going to be super skint for the next 3 years trying to pay for this!
With regards to the log burning stove, there are two fireplaces in the flat, both have been blocked up at some point, one better than the other. I have no idea what kind of state the chimneys are in. I understand that I would probably have to get them 'lined' whatever that means. That is assuming that they are in an ok condition.
I assume I would find out from the stove company what kind of condition the chimneys are in?
goes off to google wood burning stove prices
Globs said:
rash_decision said:
Simpo Two said:
Globs said:
You could also enquire about having gas put in.
Or a woodburning stove! Been doing a bit of research on the old wood burners (on here mostly). My parents also have one and it is fantastic at heating the room and taking the chill off the rest of the house. They seem like a much more cost effective option.
Although the cost of having the chimney lined is quite a lot, and I think it will be really expensive in the flat as its a 1st floor flat in a 5 story building.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&...
Is a view of the back of the building where the flat is. The living room windows are the first two (on the right), with the suspected fireplace between them.
Alfachick said:
So if I was to own a flat.....
Do you own a flat or have a long leasehold? If it's the latter then you'll need to know what the terms of the lease are, where the curtilage ends and what rights you have over the common areas/freeholders property.To answer your question about electric hot water and heating. I have a similar situation in a section of a property being sub divided. Gas isn't an option due to that part of the building. It's a modern, very well insulated property so once up to temp the property will stay warm / be maintained warm easily. We've got a combination of electric wall rads and kitchen plinth heater to boost if required (it's a large studio).
The hot water for the sink and wash hand basin in the shower room is being provided by an unvented instaneous water heater (made by Redring). This works like a combi boiler so you only heat the water you use. The draw is only 1M long so there's little wastage.
The shower is an instanteneous electric item.
Where are you in the country? It sounds like you need some formal professional advice from someone who has surveyed the building and understood the terms of your leasehold.
Alfachick said:
Although the cost of having the chimney lined is quite a lot, and I think it will be really expensive in the flat as its a 1st floor flat in a 5 story building.
But who said it needed to be lined?I think you just need to get it tested, my Building Inspector said to me 'why bother with a liner' to which I had no reply. You can always add one later if you need - my view was that if I wreck the natural lining I can add a new lining later, spreading the cost and maybe saving it all
mk1fan said:
Alfachick said:
So if I was to own a flat.....
Do you own a flat or have a long leasehold? IfHopefully in the next couple of weeks I will own the flat
I have had a verbal offer accepted on the property. I just need to jump through all the legal hoops etc. So fingers crossed guys I was just asking to find out how much I am going to have to save out of my paycheck (after the mortgage and general bills) to afford to put in central heating, or a log burning stove, in the property.
I have just spoken to a heating engineer, who is a friend of my parents and he thinks that a gas central heating system would be preferable to a log burning stove, for resale value etc. I kinda agree with him, although to put in a log burner is soooo much cheeper than putting in a full central heating system!
Sigh. Its all so complicated
One of the interesting things about wood stoves is the wood itself.
You have to store it somewhere in the dry.
You have to move it from storage to the fire.
Even in a flat, if it's your only heating, you will need a big heap for a whole year, and buying it seasoned is much more expensive than buying it green, and letting it dry out for a year.
It's a clever system that heats you more than once, as you get pretty warm with the exercise of just moving the stuff about.
Installed my first closed wood stove in 1980 - now got GFCH.
You have to store it somewhere in the dry.
You have to move it from storage to the fire.
Even in a flat, if it's your only heating, you will need a big heap for a whole year, and buying it seasoned is much more expensive than buying it green, and letting it dry out for a year.
It's a clever system that heats you more than once, as you get pretty warm with the exercise of just moving the stuff about.
Installed my first closed wood stove in 1980 - now got GFCH.
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