Should we change from Oil to Gas Central Heating

[Oneeyedvic]

I live in an old (1890?) 5 bedroom house with high ceilings, celler and attic conversion. We currently have oil central heating whcih is costing us an absolute fortune to run.  It is used to heat the water as well as the central heating. I am guessing that the boiler is around 15 years old.

We get through around 5000 litres a year. Last year the cost of oil was around �220 for a �1000 litres. What will all that is going on in the world, when we rang yesterday, the current cost is �450!!!

This menas that if oil remains at its current rate, it will cost us over �2,000 to heat our house for a year.

 

My question is - should we change to gas central heating. We can get gas to the premises - will cost around �350. To change the oil boilker to a gas boiler will cost around �2000. Or should we look at changing the boiler to something newer that may run better / more economically.

If it is of any conseqance, we also have a power shower which runs off a tank (which I could not live without) and an airing cupboard where the tank is situated (which my wife could not live without).

If it helps, we have 20 radiators in the house. The house does lose its temperature faily quickly. We are semi detached. I have insulated the loft. I don't think we have cavity walls.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[woofgang]

try here for basic info

http://www.affordablewarmth.co.uk

[FP]

Blimey Vic, I got 1000 litres of oil only three weeks ago and paid �300.  Has the cost risen this much in such a short time?  Our house is a largish rambling cottage, but admittedly has low ceilings and we use about 3500 litres per year maximum.   (Four bedrooms, lounge dining room, study, laundry/shower room and upstairs bathroom (12 radiators))  Unfortunately our boiler has just given up the ghost.  I would say a new more efficient boiler might be the answer for you.

Haven't gas prices just risen by 12% recently?

[Oneeyedvic]

Phoned 5 companies yesterday - Goff was cheapest @ just under �450 going up to �485!! Who do you use?

[FP]

Out of interest I have just phoned my local Fuelcare office who delivered to us three weeks ago and they quoted me just under �400.  I have given up on Goffs!  Fuelcare gave me the number for their depot who deliver to your area.  01953 603441.  Apparently, the Katrina Hurricane sent prices up drastically yesterday  - I am glad I got mine when I did.  I thought that was bad after paying �240ish for the last lot!

[Hgrove]

The following may be of interest to you.  All newly installed gas boilers must be "condenser style".  I found this info and a lot more in an article in the Guardian, Jobs & Money section, 2 April 2005.  Article entitled:  The new boiler that's causing a heated row" by Phillip Inman.  If interested you should be able to find the article by going to the Guardian website, Archive, using title and/or author name.