ᐅ Which type of heating system is best when replacing a unit after 36 years?
Created on: 14 Jul 2016 20:26
K
kiswiss
Hello, our newly purchased house currently has an oil heating system installed, which needs to be replaced before we move in.
It is a bungalow with 112 sq m (1206 sq ft). The boiler room is located in the basement. Next to it, there is a welded 4000-liter (1057-gallon) oil tank. Inside the house, there is a two-flue chimney. The previous owners also used a pellet stove in the living room as an additional heat source.
Now I am considering which type of heating system to choose. A gas connection is not possible since there is no gas line available.
My plan was to replace the oil boiler in the basement and additionally install either a water-heated pellet or wood stove in the living room. Possibly solar panels in the next few years as well (although I’m not sure about this yet, as I have often read that the benefits can be limited).
What would you recommend installing? Does it make sense to use a water-heated stove alongside the oil heating system? Or would a simple wood stove for occasional use be better?
It is a bungalow with 112 sq m (1206 sq ft). The boiler room is located in the basement. Next to it, there is a welded 4000-liter (1057-gallon) oil tank. Inside the house, there is a two-flue chimney. The previous owners also used a pellet stove in the living room as an additional heat source.
Now I am considering which type of heating system to choose. A gas connection is not possible since there is no gas line available.
My plan was to replace the oil boiler in the basement and additionally install either a water-heated pellet or wood stove in the living room. Possibly solar panels in the next few years as well (although I’m not sure about this yet, as I have often read that the benefits can be limited).
What would you recommend installing? Does it make sense to use a water-heated stove alongside the oil heating system? Or would a simple wood stove for occasional use be better?
B
Bieber081518 Jul 2016 10:23Oil heating also requires a tank. Liquid gas is indeed an alternative, generally cleaner than oil, but still comes with many of the same drawbacks (tank, etc.). However, in this particular case, it’s best not to overthink it. What matters now is a comprehensive plan—deciding whether to replace just the burner/boiler while leaving everything else as is, or to take a holistic approach with expert knowledge (insulation, windows, energy generation, etc.). The latter goes beyond the scope here and professional advice should be sought.
We have a similar problem, and realistically, the only reasonable option is a new oil heating system. Currently, oil is cheaper than gas anyway, and I wouldn’t want to bury a gas tank. I also considered a pellet heating system, but I don’t have enough space for a sufficiently large storage bunker, and it’s unclear how the potential savings will develop over the next years since wood prices are also rising. Additionally, pellet heating systems, in my opinion, are significantly overpriced.
Solar thermal systems are a nice option—I had one installed for my parents. However, the savings are minimal or nonexistent if you have to finance the installation. Hopefully, we don’t even need to discuss heat pumps; they would ruin you financially.
Regarding your figures, something seems off since your energy consumption appears extremely high. I have 30,000 kWh per year, which I already find quite a lot, but I have twice the living area plus a basement. If your bungalow really requires 55,000 kWh, then it’s extremely inefficient, and you should urgently consider an energy-efficient renovation (that would be about 500 kWh/m²a). The previous owner must have misled you because that’s not 1,000 liters per year, but rather 3,000 liters. I think (hope) your 55,000 kWh is a figure for three years. Then 1,000 liters could be correct, and I wouldn’t worry about switching heating systems. Also, an energy renovation only makes limited financial sense since, with heating costs currently around 1,600–1,700€ per year, it would take a very long time for such measures to pay off.
Solar thermal systems are a nice option—I had one installed for my parents. However, the savings are minimal or nonexistent if you have to finance the installation. Hopefully, we don’t even need to discuss heat pumps; they would ruin you financially.
Regarding your figures, something seems off since your energy consumption appears extremely high. I have 30,000 kWh per year, which I already find quite a lot, but I have twice the living area plus a basement. If your bungalow really requires 55,000 kWh, then it’s extremely inefficient, and you should urgently consider an energy-efficient renovation (that would be about 500 kWh/m²a). The previous owner must have misled you because that’s not 1,000 liters per year, but rather 3,000 liters. I think (hope) your 55,000 kWh is a figure for three years. Then 1,000 liters could be correct, and I wouldn’t worry about switching heating systems. Also, an energy renovation only makes limited financial sense since, with heating costs currently around 1,600–1,700€ per year, it would take a very long time for such measures to pay off.
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