WWYD - central heating - what did you opt for and why?

[AuntieJoyce]

I am buying a house which has an ancient 70s hot air heating system. The house needs a lot of work in general and I hoping to extend in the next couple of years once I've got a feel for the place.

I basically have a blank canvas for opting for a new system and don't want to get it wrong or be heavily sold to. Have electricity and gas options possible also solar panels (would probably leave this a year or two as if I do build an extension that would be a south facing roof)

If you have had a similar blank canvas what did you opt for and why?

Can you put in a source heat pump which would use the existing ventilation?

That might be one option thank you @DayToNight not sure whether the ducting is up to continued use but could investigate. Do you have one?

No, but we very nearly bought a property that had a ventilation system and looked into it. We just put in a gas system where there was an electric system and it was quite expensive. Therefore we were looking at ways to utilise the existing system as we also liked the idea of not having radiators everywhere.

Air source heat pump.

Certainly would avoid getting gas now.

Would recommend finding someone who has completed Heat Geeks training - they will be a proper heating expert, not just a sales person

www.heatgeek.com/

Thanks both. The local heat geek looks to be able to consider lots of options which is interesting

Air source heat pump is the buzz word nowdays, But if your house is not well insulated, it will be very expensive to run . 70’s houses are not know for being well insulated.

i would still go for gas at the moment but plan for a change to heat pump in the future ( larger bore pipe , larger radiators ( surface area etc ) so it’s a easier swap later .

Gas will still be around for the foreseeable future and it’s still cheaper to heat with gas than electric.

ive always liked the idea of air heating but never had a house with it, simple in theory and no water leaks and heavy radiators.

I bought a house with hot air heating system last year. Also 70s style. Everyone warned me to get rid asap. Year in and I love it. Instant heat, energy efficient, no unsightly radiators. Would recommend giving it a winter before changing it.

Interested at the thought of keeping it for a year. It has the worst pink bathroom in the world (although I am constantly reading that pink is making a comeback). So I need to refit the bathroom. I am not going to be able to tile it until I make a decision on radiators or not. Lino it is then

@Thehobbit2013 did you get an asbestos survey?

@Diyextension Thank you for the tips really getting the pipework alternative energy source ready

That's a great link. Thanks

The other benefit of an air system is that you could very easily install air conditioning if you needed to

@AuntieJoyce no wasn’t deemed necessary but the boiler has been replaced in the last ten years so this may be why.