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Heating You Home

By Murphy Heating | Published: 30th Jul, 2007 | Viewed 3317 times So you have decided to build your dream home add the all wanted extension or embarked upon a renovation, but are confused with how to heat it, one could not blame you with the many heating and appliance options available on Today’s market. One could almost write a book on how to do so and has been done in the past so here are some helpful information and tips to help you make that all important decision. The heating industry is certainly changing with an increasing move towards energy efficient and environmentally friendly products. The emphasis is on efficiency particularly with the new energy rating of new homes. So if your building to meet the highest rating you certainly must plan ahead as there are many certain criteria to meet. The biggest tip I will give you is to plan ahead its never too early to start looking for ideas, however don’t get too bogged down on all these energy efficiency products as it cans some times lead to information overload, keep it simple, the first major decision is to decide on a heating system. Will I go with rads or underfloor, well it’s up to you as I think its lifestyle and budget that will determine this. So how will I power my heating system, will I use oil, gas, geothermal pump or pellets. Oil for many people still remains the most popular choice particularly in rural parts, however when choosing a boiler it should be a condensing boiler where the efficiency is increased and will pay back in a short number or years. Gas boiler are all now condensing and extremely efficient and clean, those who are on the main gas lined benefit from this if you choose bulk gas it can be expensive to run. Boilers can be located anywhere as they now all available on balance flue with most opting for back kitchen or garage, the garage is a wise choice as this would allow you to change to possible pellets should oil price increase or become scarce. All houses should be zoned separately for water and if 2 story or dormer 2 zones should be created one for up stairs and one for downstairs giving you more flexibility. Water can be heated using you boiler alternatively using an emersion, or solar panels or possibly a boiler stove as back up. Geothermal has made a major impact, although the initial outlay is expensive give that it is best used with under floor. It is a move away from oil. Key points if choosing geothermal is the site suitability and size of house, many companies provides site surveys to determine suitability. Pellets has been the buzz word of the last couple of years, however sine then it seems to have declined. The most important aspect with pellets its there quality and storage they should be purchased in large qualities to make savings. The government grant certainly helps with a generous allowance for pellet stoves and boilers why the grant does not cover basic issues such as insulation and stoves. Solar has become increasingly popular in new homes given that the sun is free, most solar panels are capable of generating most of the hot water for a new home one should note the panels location and size so do shop around and seek professional advise,. Solar panel will get more advanced and increase in popularity whiles in Spain in present its mandatory to install one in a new build. Should you not decide to use your solar panels your boiler or emersion will adequately heat your homes water, while back boiler from stoves and range cookers can also be linked in to heat water. However in light of all this pellets do offer much the choice to move away from oil in times of rising fuel costs. Pellets are certainly an issue which could be discussed further. When choosing a heating system take into account Budget, lifestyle and size of house being constructed and also other methods of heating you may be including. The simple fact remains that the simplest means of heating a home is good insulation and remember no heat is free. So you have now decided on what heating system to use so what’s next? Chimneys or flues are incredibly important in a new home good design will ensure correct performance, so it’s important to plan early. So if your not sure what size opening to leave or what appliance or fire to choose, leave a larger opening it can always be made smaller. Too many people leave a small opening this limits your choice of products to choose from. By leaving a larger opening it allows you space to possibly install stove range or insert. Flue and chimney location are important, a low or poorly located chimney may cause problems in the future so plan ahead and seek advice before you build them. Should no chimney exits what are your options, if your choice is a solid fuel or oil stove a insulated steel flue will be required, location is important as it must clear apex of roof (see detailed information on flues). Alternative options include balance flue gas fires and stoves very popular option or flue less gas fires, although the latter needs no flue at all, ventilation is important with bord gas recommending that 2 room vent must be used. Electric is quiet popular, however it is limited to a 2kw output and the flame picture would not be as good as gas, however they are improving them. The open fire for may still remains popular, put in today’s more energy efficient society the open fire is not so environmentally friendly while as much as 80% of heat can be lost up a flue and also if the fires is not in use a open fire is like a big hole in the wall letting large amounts of cold air in to your room. Alternative options include a stove or insert (explained later in article) Double sided or featured fires are one of the most sought after items in a new build, however plan ahead as different appliances have different requirements remember always look at the efficiency of the appliance while it may look nice it could be expensive to run. With such a wide variety of appliances available in many different styles and shapes from traditional to contempory cool. The following will hopefully help you may that all important decision. • What size room do I need to heat? What output will I require? A simple solution to this it to multiply your room size in metres by width height length and divide by 10 this will give you KW output required to heat the room however do take into account other heating sources in the room • Do I want to heat water? • What fuel will I use? Lifestyle or fuel availability will determine this • What other heating system will be in the room? • Do I need it for look or do I require heat? • Do I need it for cooking? Appliances explained: Range Cookers: Range cookers are available in oil/Gas/ Solid Fuel/ Electric and dual Fuel (Gas Hob & Electric ovens) There are 2 types of oil and gas range cookers. Pressure cookers - designed for full central heating and cooking. They have a separate burner for cooking and water heating while being quiet flexible they do make a little noise and do require an electrical source. Also take note of size of heat required as they do have a limited output, particularly if it’s a large home. An electric or gas hob and cooker would be required for additional cooking. The other type of cooker is a continuous vaporising cooker designed for larger kitchens; they do suit people who are generally around the kitchen. They are designed for continuous heat and ire also capable of hot water only not rads so take note. The cookers should be run 24/7 and not turned on/off frequently there main advantage is they don’t make noise and don’t require electricity to work however rising oil & gas make them a little more expensive to run that in the past. Solid fuel range cookers have make a big come back in recent years, certainly to rising oil prices, however remember going for solid fuel is fine but it only saves money if you have a good fuel source Timber or Turf, buying coal can be a s expensive as oil as oil rises in price so does coal and other fuels. Solid fuel cookers are capable of being linked into central heating system and heating water and anything up to 12 rads. There are any models available so look early as flue location can be on different sides on different cookers. Electric cookers come in 2 forms those that produce heat similar to oil vaporising cookers (Aga 13amp) or those that look like a range cooker but have an electric hob and electric ovens (Esse). Dual Fuel Cookers normally come with a gas hob and electric ovens although many cookers now have the options of electric hob or gas with a chef top. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and colours so let your kitchen maker know early. Although they don’t produce heat they have everything you possibly need for cooking and are ideal if another heat source is in your kitchen/living space. No chimney is required but you will need an extractor hood. Important things to note is the cookers efficiency rating as most appliances should have anA if not AA rating. Stoves: The once humble stove has become very popular in new build in no small matter to there efficiency and the vast array of styles and shapes they are available in. Stoves are available in oil gas and electric and pellets. They range from small 5kw to larger designer stoves important issues when choosing as stove or planning to install one is chimney. Chimney opening is critical as mentioned earlier too small opening will limit your options. We would recommend leaving oil line and electrical source at chimney as this allows you the option of changing; also recommend leaving ½” gas supply also this will ensure correct pressure to appliance. Oil and gas stoves do offer convenience with no noise and no electricity while working. The gas does offer a better flame picture and can be turned on off more frequently while the oil is designed to be used for longer time but oil is cheaper to run that bottled gas. Oil is good at heating a larger open space particularly if you don’t have an adequate supply of solid fuel. Solid fuel stoves are available in a variety of shapes and styles and there is something to suit every budget and taste so shop around. Solid fuel stoves like ranges are capable of heating water and rads. Remember if deciding to this locate hot water cylinder as close as possible. If choosing a boiler stove you must remember that boiler stoves loose heat in room where being installed so it’s a very large room think twice. While there is some beast of boiler stoves on the market be realistic and possibly take the downstairs zone of rads and do them well while suing your boiler as back up. Solid fuel stoves can be linked into under floor although its much harder to control as underfloor works on an even temperature and the large amount of pipes it take longer to heat. When choosing a stove take into account the size of room and of course look at its efficiency how clean it burns and quality and availability of spare parts should you require them in future. Inserts: Inserts o whole in wall type fires are available in solid fuel and gas. Do plan ahead as chimney opening is a critical element. As many of these inserts can allow you to take hot air vents to the same room or other room so adequate space is required for this. They do come in various outputs so pick one that suits size of room and your own personnel taste. The gas fire are available in numerous styles with different fuel effects the glass fronted fire are more efficient so always check the gas input and efficiency as mentioned eerier some fires look nice but can work out expensive to run If no flue exists the gas balance flue or electric are popular. The electric are quiet easy to use simple plug in and turn on with the majority now using a remote as standard. In summary this article is intended to give you some helpful hints and advise in building your home and choosing an appliance to suit your needs. Although we could have gone into more detail the above I hope will give you some all important information. Remember it’s never too early to plan ahead and research well. Cover all options and remember efficiency is the key. Compiled by: Sean Murphy Heating Ltd, Kinvara, Co. Galway. sales@murphyheating.com www.murphyheating.com BACK TO ARTICLES