Replacing storage heaters - no gas

[Thenewbiegardener]

Just been to view a property which I’m interested in but the above is a problem.

Was wondering if anyone has had these removed & a new boiler, radiators installed . I have been advised there’s gas going to the property just not in it.

Can anyone give me a rough idea of what this would cost please? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth putting an offer in.

Thank you x

Depending on the size of house and where you are in the country a full new gas heating system with boiler, rads etc for an average size family home would be £6000-£10000.

I would agree with the above.

I would also be somewhat suspicious as to why the house was not on the mains gas if it were available.

Could you get a grant for an ashp ?

I'd look into getting an ASHP installed. We had one fitted in our last house and it was brilliant

@Geneticsbunny thank you, sorry should have included that East Midlands, 2 bedroom house.

@GasPanic Ive got no idea why. I’ll put the question to the estate agents though thank you

@Growsomeballswoman & @AnnaQuayInTheUk
I’ll look into that as an option too, I don’t know anything about a grant (will research). Are they just as costly?

Look at getting an ASHP. We’ve done this and it’s cheaper to run and warmer than the gas boiler and radiators we had in our previous two houses. Then you’ve got no need to have gas.

I’ve just been looking at ASHP. Just a quick question I can’t find the answer to….
There is a shower at the property, presumably electric cause of the above.
I currently have an electric shower installed prior to a combi boiler (so power shower wasn’t an option). The pressure is really bad. With an ASHP what should I be checking when it comes to showers, presumably the current shower is electric (the whole bathroom needs replacing) so not an issue, just don’t want to make the same mistake twice.

ASHP heats a tank full of water so you’d need to make sure it was sized appropriately for the number of people using it and pressure needed. Ours works very well.

@RidingMyBike
Got it! Thank you ☺️

Just a quick update re this & hoping for a bit more help. Thank you everyone 🙏

The seller has advised she had a quotation done for the heating. I’m still unsure which way to go but I have asked for details as it seems very reasonable. It has just raised another question…….

Given that it’ will be newly installed what should I be asking for in terms of safety certificates etc? Still completely undecided!

Also just to mention @GasPanic, I have asked why it’s not on the mains, given that it’s available. I have been informed that the boiler was condemned shortly after the owner moved in. Thank you for raising this. 😊

We went through this many years ago, but had to get the gas connected to property as well. From memory it all went well and no worse than any other renovations. We didn't organise until we moved in early September, we had the night storage heaters removed first (discovered 2/3 didn't work anyway) and boiler and radiators installed early November.

Check if anyone working with gas is on the Gas Safe Register (many are so if not, you can find someone else). Also, what guarantee is available on the boiler - our last Worcester Bosch had a five year guarantee. Things may have changed but Worcester Bosch and Valliant used to be more reliable and continued to make parts longer than some other brands. Our previous Ideal boiler wasn't Ideal!!!

I would not have an air sourced heat pump. As much use as a chocolate teapot.

Have you ever had one? We have and it worked brilliantly.

I don’t have one but know people who do and they are happy with them. Have you had a bad experience?

Do you mean safety certificates from the owner? They are a rental thing I think unless you are in Scotland when buying is different? If they are owners, they won't have any. If you want to get an electrical inspection then you can. It will probably say the board needs upgrading which is a few hundred quid.

Waves from lovely warm home heated by an ASHP for lower cost than a boiler! Just off to wash my hair using the ample quantities of hot water heated by the ASHP.

It's good news because mains gas "available" could still mean a lot of money to hook up. But if mains gas was previously present in the property then it should be a lot cheaper.

Seems weird how they went for storage heaters instead of replacing the boiler when it was condemned. Maybe they were completely skint and put in new electric radiators one at a time to lower the installation costs.