AIBU?
to want gas rather than oil?!
ShoesieQ · 31/07/2017 18:45
We've just found out that we need to replace the oil fired boiler. Did a bit of digging and found that it's likely to only cost about £500 to get connected to the gas mains, as it runs right outside the house. As gas boilers are about £500 cheaper than oil ones that means the installation costs are about the same.
However DH doesn't want to swap to gas as in his mind there's more scope for things to go wrong 
, though he can't really explain why he thinks that.
My gut feel is to go with gas, as the only downside I can see is it may take a bit longer to install. But even then the worst case scenario is we have no central heating until mid October (we have an immersion heater for water, thank god!). AIBU, and can anyone who knows more than we do please explain the pros and cons?!
SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 31/07/2017 18:58
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Polyanthus · 31/07/2017 19:57
We were in the same situation as you two years ago and went for connection to gas and it's definitely been the right thing to do. Having had both types of boiler I'd be really put off buying a house somewhere where I couldn't connect to mains gas in the future,
Fairylea · 01/08/2017 17:38
We swapped an oil boiler for gas in our old house and it was a doddle. Took just as long as it would have took just to fit a new oil one really, even including connecting the gas. Long term you'll find it more attractive to buyers if you ever want to sell too.
catsbeensickagain · 01/08/2017 18:09
Just to be contrary we have oil and love it. We are completely out in the sticks so no choice but it costs us around £500 a year for heating and hot water. Plus £50 for servicing. I know oil prices vary quite a lot though, we are lucky and pay a reduced rate for ours for not caring when it is delivered. We do also have an electric aga which reduces the heating element a bit. The thing I love about it (having had gas before) is that I don't get a giant bill for a random amount of gas - I can stick a dipstick in it and keep track! Also minor problems are easy to sort, for example our boiler lost pressure last week and the repair guy was able to talk me through topping it up on the phone whereas only a Corgi person (or whatever they are now called) can touch a gas boiler.
That said before I bought this house I was dreading the oil so I would agree gas is probably a better sales point.
SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 01/08/2017 18:14
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Janeinthemiddle · 01/08/2017 20:11
Shoesie I've had a central heating (electric) in a new built apartment but never used once as the apartment was well built and it's always warm even if it was really cold (-10celcius in 2010) and now I live in a standard ex council house, mid terrace, and I find those small portable oil filled radiator sufficient to keep the house warm.
I suppose if your property is old Victorian house (they're known to be quite draft-y) then maybe a better heating solution should be in place?
Maybe I'm doing it wrong and should switch to gas to save further? To put things in perspective, I live in Yorkshire and my electric bill is less than £500 a year. No gas, no maintenance nothing. 2 people in 2 bedroom house.
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