domestic fuel system planning/ sourcing

[Dean O]

we've just bought a property on oil heating.

 

the system is fine and working, and although the novelty of chopping and seasoning wood as long since worn off I cant get past the thought that it would make sense to install a system that uses wood.

 

may also take the opportunity to install solar tubes if it means completely repiping the house, as far as I can tell there isn't a hot water store at the moment so this would also need to be installed.

 

where do I go for advice?

I'm having trouble finding someone that can help me...

what do I google to find someone that can advise on a system, supply and fit (not nessesarliy all the same firm as I appreciate that there could be a conflict of interest)?

 

I feel its unlikely to be of any benefit going down the domestic rhi.

 

any advise appreciated

 

many thanks

Dean

[AardvarkTreeServices]

Green Building Forum. Have a trawl through the posts, as what your wanting to do has all been covered over the years.

[donnk]

forget all that you need a heat pump.

 

Ground source more efficient if you have the land otherwise air source either driving under floor heating.

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Ben Shirley (Liskeard) specialises in scoping and recommending integrated systems. He tends not to supply / fit (so that he can maintain a credible distance from the potential for compromise by recommending specific kit he will supply and fit.)

 

Really nice guy, might be worth giving him a call?

 

Unlike the usual (BS) sales patter, he will want to discuss lifestyle and usage / demand pattens (current and future) in order to arrive at a 'proper' assessment of what's best for your circumstances.

 

We're on pellets & solar thermal heavily augmented by 4x log burning stoves (unfortunately not back boiler style but cost of re-plumbing didn't stack up for us.)

 

I didn't meet Ben until after we'd done all our work, wish I'd known him before!

 

Domestic RHI was a disappointment (delay and reduction in term & level) but was only ever the 'cherry on top' rather than the reason for our installation.

 

http://www.cat.org.uk/membersonly/conference%202008/Ben%20Shirley.pdf

[codlasher]

We're on pellets & solar thermal heavily augmented by 4x log burning stoves (unfortunately not back boiler style but cost of re-plumbing didn't stack up for us.)

Agreed there Mr kevinjohnscombe.

 

Yes, the way to go! If you've the space you could add a thermal store in a BIG water tank.....

If I have any money left I will add solar PV to help boil concrete (thats another story)

codlasher

[Woodworks]

Kevin's chap sounds good. When we went through all this on our place finding impartial advice was nigh on impossible. We ended up with a GSHP, good levels of insulation and a wood burner. Green building forum is good place for advise but be warned they are not pro biomass and will recommend insulation, insulation, insulation not saying that's a bad thing mind.

 

My ten pence worth.

If you already have a working oil system you could fit a wood burner and solar tubes for the hot water. By not having the complications of a full on biomass system you should save a lot of money that could be spent on insulation. Modern efficient wood burner's work and work well with minimal complication. If you can fit a wood burner reasonably centrally and do some insulation you might find you need minimal additional heat from the oil CH.

[harvey b davison]

Have you had a look at rayburn and their eco connect system.

 

Whilst doing a college assignment, i came across this system and incorporated it into my house design.

 

It allows you to have any type of stove, ( gas , wood, oil ) or even a multi stove. When this is up and running, you can then add the eco connect system which allows you to add solar panels, air/ ground source heat pumps or other stoves all into one system, which in turn allows you to run your heating / water via the cheapest method at that time.

 

It sounds complicated but its not. All the info is on rayburns web site.

[Mull]

forget all that you need a heat pump.

 

 

 

Ground source more efficient if you have the land otherwise air source either driving under floor heating.

 

 

With ground source can't you just drill straight down, rather than trenches, it removes the need for land space.

Not sure about the costings of either method tbh.

[difflock]

(i) reasonable, but not excessive insulation.

(ii)wet underfloor heat, for background heat only(think giant storage heater), & lower return water temps for max boiler efficency.

(iii) heating load "topped up", or not, with woodburning stoves.

(iv) ideally solar hot water panels for summer DHW , then no boiler needed, during the summer.

m

[cornish wood burner]

You don't need to repipe your house. Install a heat store in the system and feed your chosen heat sources into it. Mine takes heat from, solar, wood burner, Rayburn and until recently oil. It would then feed your radiators, underfloor if you wish and provide DHW. You would just need to give some thought where you are going to intercept each circuit and site the store in the most convenient available spot for this.