heating: oil v. electric v. solidfuel

[charlieg]

hi, new here, can't see this anywhere, but apologies if it'd buried in the archives...

I'm about to start a conversion project of an ajoining outbuilding floor area approx 6x6m (20'x20') to make a kitchen/livingroom below, bedroom and bathroom over. I have plenty of scope for floor/wall/roof insulation.

Given that energy prices change, what's the current thinking on the most efficient source of heat? I s'pose by that I mean cheapest!

This is a new self-contained 'zone' (that may be extended further), so I can have wet or electric underfloor downstairs / rads upstairs or rads /night storage heaters throughout, powered by off-peak electricity, oil (new boiler) or solid fuel. No gas.
I'm interested in capital cost as well as running cost.

Any ideas?

Cheers, Charlie.

 

[JohnD]

If you can't get gas, then oil is probably your best bet. Considering the extra effort of shovelling coal and ashes, I was surprised to find that coal is not a very cheap source of heat. You will also have to tend to the boiler every day.

If you live in a mining area there is a chance that you will be able to get coal cheaper than average, as transport is a major cost.

Electricity is generally the most expensive to run, even if you use the inflexible off-peak and storage method. It is also inconvenient as it usually gives out most of its heat during the day when you are out at work. If you have small children or are retired you may be at home during the day so this is not so bad.

You can have underfloor heating using hot water pipes from your CH, but it needs to be installed properly as it is embedded in concrete and you will not want to dig it up if it goes wrong or leaks.

You may want to check the prices of gas in those big tanks that you can get. I have no experience of them but a chum living in France has one, and it is buried under his lawn so not an eyesore.