Hot Water Cylinders [+] Oil Combi Boilers [+] High Pressure Stainless Steel Cylinders
If you are not connected to mains gas, oil central heating is worth considering. For most of the past decade it has been significantly cheaper to run than any fuel other than mains gas, and remains cheaper than bulk LPG or bottled gas and, in most circumstances, than electricity or anthracite. (Electricity can be the most cost-effective option for smaller homes and flats.) The number of homes with oil central heating systems is growing, as more houses are being built in villages away from the gas main. This page gives a summary of some of the main things to consider if you are buying a home that has oil central heating, or if you are looking to install or upgrade an oil-fired system.
A good oil-fired central heating system will contain the same controls as a modern gas-fired system. In particular it should have:
- a room thermostat, ideally located in a living
room, not the hallway
- thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on all but one of the radiators
- an electronic 7 day timer with separately programmable hot water and
room heating
- a cylinder thermostat on the hot water tank
- the boiler and thermostats wired in an interlock to prevent
short-cycling when there is no demand for either hot water or room
heating
What type of boiler should I install?
Modern oil-fired boilers can be highly efficient and manufacturers claim net seasonal operating efficiencies of up to 97%. As with gas boilers, condensing boilers are likely to offer the greatest efficiency, and there are now over 90 "A" rated models on the market. From 1st April 2007 it will be mandatory to install condensing oil boilers to comply with Building Regulations. You can check how a boiler rates by visiting the SEDBUK website, but it is worth noting that non-condensing boilers have their rating capped at 85.7% for the purposes of the SEDBUK database, even if test results have shown an efficiency above this. For more information you are recommended to speak to a reputable boiler manufacturer or installer.