Domestic central heating

[keithbilling]

Which is the best and worst type of domestic central heating for warmth and cost effectiveness?

[thundercrack]

worst: electric storage rads, lpg bottled gas.
best: natural gas using a condensing boiler, natural gas using a combi boiler.
oil central heating is midway, but unless you are in an area without natural gas, its not an option.
alf.

[Disco Fever]

Good answer Alf....

[gucciman]

hi keith

i'm assuming that your house is on natural gas and you want a gas fired central heating system.

as far as the warmth part goes you have to make sure that the radiators heat output matches the heat requirements of the room, this will be calculated by the installer giving you a quote. but ,beware of the "amazing deals" you see in the national press where you get a boiler and 7 radiators installed for less than �2000, usually the radiators will be undersized, you must have ones that are tailored to your rooms.
these days the law states you have to have a condensing boiler, and you will probably go for a combi as they are easier and quicker to install as you don't need cylinders and tanks then.
most condensing boilers are 90% or more efficient so the extra costs of the boilers are offset by the reduction in your gas bills over the years. it may also be possible for you to get a grant from your local council towards the cost as they often run schemes encouraging people to have more efficient heating systems.
in addition you need thermostatic radiator valves fitted and also a room thermostat so you can control the temperature more efficiently and save more money.
boiler wise, the heat output of the boiler needs to be matched to the heat requirements of the radiators and the hot water and is again usually calculated by the installer.
boilers vary in price from say �450 to �1200 depending on make and model. we rate the worcester bosch greenstar as the rolls royce of boilers and are priced at the top end, vaillants are also excellent boilers.
for a typical 3 bed semi you would be looking at around �2500 - �3000 for a quality installation.