I have a 3-sided fireplace ‘insert’ - as well as oil-fired central heating (see my other thread).
In an ideal world I would remove both and replace them by an air-sourced heat pump system.
However, my budget would allow that (at the moment).
One of the things I was wondering about is, is it possible to have an ‘insert’ with a back boiler, that would run the central heating and do away with the need for oil. I’ve been told wood is the cheapest fuel for heating. And if so, is this something that can be retro fitted - has any one of SF’s readers done this?
We are in the process of having an insert fitted - we have an appointment - because we found running the heat pump in the winter to Madame’s requirements was ruinously expensive. I think the problem with the heat pump is our level D insulation.
We’re in the fortunate position of the fire being at the centre of the house, so it should heat our bedroom and upstairs.
I’ve read both of your posts.
For anyone that know what they are talking about (there are a few on here that do). they will need a bit more info like:
where do you live in France, Calais or St Tropaz
the size of the house, number of floors
is the house insulated, walls, ceilings, roof, double glazing & installed roughly when, the orientation
the number of radiators, the size would help too, underfloor heating etc.
All this to give you a ball park figure.
And as someone whose house was once heated with a wood burning boiler, when it goes out there is no heating, and logs have a limited burning time. For us it was incredibly cost effective when we had no money, but I love my oil-fired heating.
We have a three storey house with heat pumps in every room (installed by the previous owner), but for the past few years, the top floor ones have only been needed for cooling (usually in fan mode, and if it gets above C40°, dehumidifier mode - never a/c). During the colder months the top floor rooms are just heated by convection from a pellet stove on the middle floor and a duct from a log burner on the ground floor.
It may be that a simple small grill in the ceiling above your log burner could help heat the storey above.
The first thing to do is to sort out the lack of insulation before making any changes to the heating system. Providing a decent level of insulation will quickly reduce your heating bills, give you a rapid return on your money spent, and make the house much more comfortable to live in as it will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Well this is what I’d do in your situation invest in double or triple glassing & loft insulation to start with then do the walls. I wouldn’t think of installing a heat pump unless the insulation had been done. Heat pumps can cost alot to run. I would leave the boiler & tank where they are, but I would change the boiler for a condensing unit compatible with new fuel types, so future proofing, you can find them second hand on LBC for 300-800€. Condensing boilers have many advantages, they are much much cheaper to run & the risk of fire is minimal the flue temps are very low.
A quick recherche on the LBC came up with this, they are very good boilers. https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/bricolage/3013262550
Here’s the fiche technique.
If you do decide to move the boiler outside I would still change it.
I agree insulate first. I have 100mm in the floor, 150mm in the walls and 300-400mm in the roof and with that I use minimal heating and it is cooler in the summer. Thick internal walls are a good heat sink.
