Do you have a Rayburn? Is it worth it?

[JoyofSpring]

We will be installing a new kitchen and by chance our boiler has died at the same time. I have always like the look of an Aga or Rayburn and Rayburn can do the hot water and central heating too! So no need for a new boiler if we get that... We would get a gas fired version.

However, they are insanely expensive and I've heard they tend to burn money / not great for the environment. We would probably get a separate oven and hob as well just for speed and ease of use but I would plan to use the Rayburn as much as possible.

Please tell me your experiences! Do you love or loathe your Rayburn?

My Rayburn is gas. This year my gas came to 850 pounds but we also have a wood burner so heating is only on for a couple of hours in morning. Before the wood burner the gas was about 150 per month in the winter and about 70 per month in the summer. So they are not very economical. I still love it though

Thanks very much!!

Don't worry Onlyforthecamping, I wouldn't be cross! That's one of the things I am trying to explore. What Sadik says is true about wood though. It releases CO2 which would have been released anyway if the wood had decomposed in a forest and then new tree planting takes it back up again.

It's less of a cost issue and more wanting to buy sustainably for me - although cost is clearly a factor. They are horrendously expensive up front so if you can afford that I guess you can afford to pay for the gas.

I don't want to make a choice which is awful for the environment! Clearly we will do insulation etc too!

If you want to buy sustainably then I wouldn't recommend one. Sorry. Maybe wood fired would be ok. In environmental terms, there are much more efficient ways to cook, heat your home and get hot water.

They are great fun though. And my t towels were always dry

Thanks Tilder!

I'm OK with it not being the most environmentally friendly decision. Just don't want it to be a totally irresponsible decision from the environment PoV IYSWIM!

Hi I need help. I am moving to a house with a disconnect multi fuel Rayburn converted to oil. It used to do cooking, heating and hot water. There is now a Combi oil fired boiler for hot water and heating, and I want to know if I can reconnections it and use the Rayburn for cooking only.