Buying a house with no gas

[Loulou127]

We live by the seaside, no mains gas here, we are electric and oil fired central heating, we have no issues with supply, we always make sure we order our oil before it gets too low, one thing to mention, make sure your home insurance covers any spills or issues with the oil tank x

[parisdisneyfan]

Another here that is rural and has oil instead.

Our original renovation plan included looking into air source heat pump to replace the oil boiler, however the ancient boiler had other ideas so we just got another oil boiler!

I believe air source are dearer to install but way cheaper to run than either gas or oil even though you need electric to run them.

Is it a modern property or older, if older maybe able to get grants to help with the cost. Finally, I’d be more worried about the solar panel and it’s maintenance and ownership. I’m sure there was a thread about this issue recently.

Good luck to them both😁

[mickey house]

Originally Posted by parisdisneyfan

Another here that is rural and has oil instead.

Our original renovation plan included looking into air source heat pump to replace the oil boiler, however the ancient boiler had other ideas so we just got another oil boiler!

I believe air source are dearer to install but way cheaper to run than either gas or oil even though you need electric to run them.

Is it a modern property or older, if older maybe able to get grants to help with the cost. Finally, I’d be more worried about the solar panel and it’s maintenance and ownership. I’m sure there was a thread about this issue recently.

Good luck to them both😁

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I think it’s likely built around late 1960s to 1970s. I agree with regards the solar panel as I said they would need to look into more detail about it. I will have a search for solar panels on the dibb.

[alibeau]

We are rural with no gas.

We are all electric with an air source heat pump.

We do have a gas fire in the lounge which runs on bottled gas in case of emergency!

Ali x

[FlorayG]

I've been living in a house with gas central heating the last year and I hate it. Previous to that I've never had gas heating, always electric or solid fuel. Modern electric systems are much, much cheaper to run than the old ones plus if they are planning to stay there, eventually any gas supply will have to be cut off and they will have to change to electric anyway. Personally I would think of a house without gas as getting ahead of the game and a good idea

[mickey house]

Originally Posted by FlorayG

I've been living in a house with gas central heating the last year and I hate it. Previous to that I've never had gas heating, always electric or solid fuel. Modern electric systems are much, much cheaper to run than the old ones plus if they are planning to stay there, eventually any gas supply will have to be cut off and they will have to change to electric anyway. Personally I would think of a house without gas as getting ahead of the game and a good idea

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That’s a very good point about domestic gas heating being phased out.

[loldis]

My current property is electric only with very efficient units installed, the heating doesn't cost very much to operate. Don't really notice a significant increase over when I had traditional radiators. But I've always been one to set the thermostat lower and use a blanket instead. It might be expensive for anyone trying to recreate Florida in their lounge.

[parisdisneyfan]

Originally Posted by mickey house

I think it’s likely built around late 1960s to 1970s. I agree with regards the solar panel as I said they would need to look into more detail about it. I will have a search for solar panels on the dibb.

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Same sort of age as ours then. One thing we did discover is that houses of this era generally have suspended floors which doesn't go well with ASHP which need a sealed house. So even if our old boiler had hung on we would probably have still got a traditional one. Next doors house is 1700's listed and they are going for 2 x ASHP so will be interesting to see how they fare.

Good luck to them, certainly think you get more for your money for this age group but definately not a pretty era

[Moorlandman]

Originally Posted by FlorayG

I've been living in a house with gas central heating the last year and I hate it. Previous to that I've never had gas heating, always electric or solid fuel. Modern electric systems are much, much cheaper to run than the old ones plus if they are planning to stay there, eventually any gas supply will have to be cut off and they will have to change to electric anyway. Personally I would think of a house without gas as getting ahead of the game and a good idea

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Gas central heating is the most economical way to warm your house.

Living in the Peak District many homes are without Gas and the heating bills are horrendous plus people steel your oil too!

[Lostbrain]

Without gas your options are electric storage, oil or ground source heat pumps.
I've lived in a house with oil, it was a *very* long time ago, but when we moved in the oil tank was empty and we couldn't get credit with the oil delivery so it was initially very expensive as we effectively had to pay for our fuel for the winter up front. After that it wasn't an issue - can't remember the solution whether we had credit or saved or a combination.

I really don't like electric storage and that would be a deal breaker for me - I find them too unresponsive - it's either too hot or too cold.

Ground source I've heard good things about - at some point we will have to phase out gas and this is the best alternative. Although I think the government are hoping people will be able to convert gas boilers to an eco-gas alternative it currently doesn't exist. Installing a new system is very expensive, but putting one into a newbuild instead of gch is only about £5K more.

The solar panels will be heating water rather than the heating system I think, I don't think they are reliable in this country to maintain heating in the winter. If they are photovoltaic they will be supplying electricity which could contribute to an electric heating system.