Central heating

[Charlieboy]

Any thoughts on having central heating installed ?

[mrsgee]

We have it, it was already in the house bought off plan. Absolute god send in the winter months. Gas fired, combi boiler, outside walls insulated and cladded, so everything works very well for us.

[Charlieboy]

Thank you

[MVP]

Most people I know who have it never use it, too expensive to run.
Some friends had underfloor gas central heating, it was on for one month then they got a log burner

[Mollie the cat]

We had it installed 18yrs a go, radiators in every room and on the landing. We couldn't wait to put it on. Sure enough it was toasty however, when I checked the gas tank you could literally see the needle dropping! Suffice to say we never use it now, well expensive.

[ljarvo]

Gas we understand is expensive to run.

We installed a Daikin inverter central heat and cooling system - with underfloor heating in bathrooms and main bedroom.

It was very efficient to run.

We are now in Portugal and would use the same system again.

[benjaminbutton]

Our builders back in 2005 asked us if we would like Central Heating, but wanted another 9,000 pounds. As house cost 150,000, +++ another 9,000 was more that we could afford. Even with 5 days of present weather, we can cope.

[greengate]

I have to agree with some of the postings above. We had our C/H system installed when gas was cheap, but despite having a more efficient boiler installed a few years ago, the system is still very expensive to run. Look for alternatives.

Also be aware that if you have a bulk gas tank installed - this is extra, and has to be inspected/licensed.

[Jeremy S]

Have had solar panels with a rechargeable battery installed. Hopefully, the power will be enough to run the air conditioning units to warm the villa.

[alphamike]

Had it installed when house being built and used it for a couple of years, but it was really expensive. In winter went through one of the large gas canisters every 9 days, not the standard ones we use for cooking. Use A/C now, it really is so much cheaper. I know many have log burners and love them, so might be worth a thought.

[mrsgee]

We have a large 1000 litre gas tank. We refill it once a year at a cost of around £400. We have a gas fire. A gas hob, and I cook a lot, we have a combi boiler, so hot water all year round. Sounds pretty economical to me, and toasty warm. Horses for courses as always.

[poppy++1]

Solar panels provide our heat via A/C Inverters

Maybe invest in Solar personally wouldn't waste money on central heating for a few months a year

[Groucho]

Upgrade air conditioning is the best way, if you have non-inverter ones, replace with good inverter ones. Hardly any retro-fitting issues. Much as we like the log-burner for visual cozy appeal, the air-con is much cheaper, doesn't require the attention of a real fire and is quicker to heat the home than all alternatives... gas central heating systems here have a poor reputation. Electric heat-pump based would also be ideal - but then there's the installation

[a1sysman]

… doesn't require the attention of a real fire and is quicker to heat the home than all alternatives...

Not that we have needed to light a log burner so far this winter, l recall last winter walking downstairs each morning to a really warm environment. The log burner continues to radiate heat well past bedtime. Unlike a/c on heat mode, gas fires, etc, the heat ceases soon as turned off.