Hello everyone,
A friend has inherited a semi-detached house from the 1950s. The energy consumption per square meter is about 280 kWh (I assume this is actual consumption and not demand – depending on previous usage patterns, it might even be a bit higher). She is now considering which heating technology to use going forward. Currently, there is a 30-year-old gas heating system installed. A builder has recommended a wood stove with a water jacket. At first, I was skeptical, but I have to admit I don’t exactly understand how it works. What heats the water jacket? Is it connected to the existing heating system and feeds into the heating buffer tank, or is it a separate system?
There is wood available (inherited along with the house), but I’m not sure about the time or willingness to keep loading wood regularly. I’m also concerned that, due to the poor building envelope, the water jacket would have to be quite large to effectively support heating overnight, for example.
My gut feeling is that she should simply install a new gas condensing boiler.
Thanks for your opinions.
A friend has inherited a semi-detached house from the 1950s. The energy consumption per square meter is about 280 kWh (I assume this is actual consumption and not demand – depending on previous usage patterns, it might even be a bit higher). She is now considering which heating technology to use going forward. Currently, there is a 30-year-old gas heating system installed. A builder has recommended a wood stove with a water jacket. At first, I was skeptical, but I have to admit I don’t exactly understand how it works. What heats the water jacket? Is it connected to the existing heating system and feeds into the heating buffer tank, or is it a separate system?
There is wood available (inherited along with the house), but I’m not sure about the time or willingness to keep loading wood regularly. I’m also concerned that, due to the poor building envelope, the water jacket would have to be quite large to effectively support heating overnight, for example.
My gut feeling is that she should simply install a new gas condensing boiler.
Thanks for your opinions.
Feueronkel15 May 2016 10:33@T21150 It wasn’t meant personally. It’s generally quite common that people look for stoves with very low output ("...it doesn’t really need to be anything special, we just want a nice, cozy fire...") or have been recommended to do so (e.g., by chimney sweeps, energy consultants, etc.) and then end up choosing a "cheap" hardware store model or small workshop stove. They are often surprised when it either produces just smoke or turns the room into a sauna. For a maximum demand of 1–3 kW, it might actually be more sensible to buy a high-quality, well-controllable 5 kW stove...
Feueronkel schrieb:
@T21150 was not meant personally either I know. All good. Best regards, Thorsten
Feueronkel schrieb:
sorry, I probably didn’t express myself clearly or completely. Good modern stoves designed for heating living spaces usually have more precise control, up to automatic operation..., temperature-controlled, regulated combustion air = combustion air coming from outside, not from the room. Control systems are also available as add-on modules for stoves with fresh air or external air connections, but definitely not for a workshop stoveNo, that’s clear, of course nothing is automatic with a $200 stove.
I just needed something cheap quickly; it will probably be replaced at some point, but until then it warms the house nicely. You can only heat the place cheaper by… setting it on fire.
Elina schrieb:
The house can only be heated more cheaply by setting it on fireDon’t do that.