I life in a rural area so gas isn't an option.

I need to replace my oil tank , its got a small leak and therefore illegal. The boiler is over 30 years old and is situated in a boiler-room attached to the house and is very inefficient. If I bring the boiler indoors its going to need a lot of re-plumbing which is also 30 years old.

The electrical wiring is probably the same age and could also do with being replaced.

Does it make sense to ditch the boiler and the old central heating system and go to economy 7 or whatever is available?

Hi --- As you are now faced with the expense of outlaying for a totally new system whatever happens, alternative power sources such as wind generators or solar panels used in conjunction with whatever you decide as extra free auxillary power may be worth looking into.

Although the initial outlay is much greater for the "Greener" methods the current upward cost of conventional fuels will make them much more attractive in the near future, probably returning your investment many times.....over the longer uncertain future of rising energy costs.

hmmm,

I have thought about solar water heating but not sure its as advanced as it could be and its currently too expensive. It just hasn't got the market volume to bring down the prices.

I think the any return needs to justify a 20% return on capital - ie payback in 5 years. What saving will a solar panel generate?

Hi All,

Good grief - this a slow & unused site , but so important!

I only have oil for domestic/water heating. Have used the electric.night rate for water heating for shower/2/washing up/twice day with success. Cost @ £7.40/month until the latest leccie price increases of course.

Watching oil prices at the mo. Down to 46.5p/l. Setting up a Village consortium to bring it down even more. Any thoughts on this?