Oil central heating

Description
Oil fired boiler and radiator system, also providing hot water instantaneously or stored in hot water tank. Controls - programmer, room thermostat, TRVs (and tank thermostat if hot water stored). A minimum seasonal efficiency (SEDBUK) value of 86% is required by Building Regulations. An 'A rated' boiler has a minimum SEDBUK of 90% (and would be condensing).

Unit cost of installation
£3500 - £4500 for full system with radiators and controls. Installation of tank ~£2800 (including installation of base and pipework)

Bulk cost of installation

Indicative energy cost and carbon emissions

The data in the table above have been calculated for conventional heating systems with a hot water tank (i.e. not combi systems). For combi systems the running costs and carbon emissions would be slightly lower than the figures quoted, and differences between the highest and lowest about the same.

Maintenance
£85 per annum

Technical suitability
Suitable for most dwellings where there is space for an oil tank and the delivery vehicle. Building regulations apply to the installation of the boiler, oil storage tank and associated fuel delivery pipe-work. As part of the installation process an assessment of the risk of environmental damage being caused by spillage from the oil storage tank will need to be undertaken. However, if the building is no more than three storeys and the work is undertaken by an installer registered with OFTEC a Building Control Service need not be involved.

Combi systems are not always suited to households with a high demand for hot water (e.g. families with young children), but can be very suitable for small households. Combi systems do not require a header tank and so can be a useful option in small dwellings such as flats.

Non-technical constraints
Gaining access to undertake regular maintenance of boiler and fuel supply can be difficult.

Potential concerns with fuel poor
Requirement to pay for large amount of oil for each delivery may present problems for the poorest users, although some suppliers in Northern Ireland are known to offer easy payment terms and are sometimes willing to deliver smaller quantities of oil.

If the recipients of central heating are not familiar with it they may assume that it will be expensive to use and therefore not use it for fear of getting into debt. It is therefore essential that the system is properly commissioned and that the users are given good advice on how to operate it efficiently.

Ancillary benefits
Highly controllable, providing rapid response times, particularly for radiator-based systems. Safer than some other forms of heating such as open fires and some electric appliances due to absence of very hot surfaces.

Improved heating (coupled with insulation and ventilation measures) will reduce incidence of condensation and mould growth, thus decreasing maintenance costs for the building fabric and reducing damage (resulting from mould growth) to occupants' possessions. There may also be benefits to occupants' health.

Trigger points for work
Ideally installed following insulation upgrades. Major refurbishment.

Technical Guidance Available
» A large amount of guidance is available from OFTEC Tel 0845 6585080 www.oftec.org.
» CE29 Domestic heating by oil: boiler systems (2008 edition)