How can I figure out what's best for my house?

JPE234 · Apr 3, 2023

I live in a large 3 bed semi with a Potterton Profile 60e - so it's a G rated boiler.

I wish to improve the energy efficiency of the property over the next few years, and part of that is obviously upgrading the central heating system.

We have a tank in the bathroom which I want to move (to create space for a shower enclosure) so I guess I'm going to need a tank upgrade. I'm also going to need a new boiler and controls (like for like so hopefully not the stupid cost of quotes I was getting to install a combi).

So my plan looks something like:

1: Loft insulation, new boiler and controls
2: New tank (which I'll have to do later)

Does this make sense? Would retro-fitting a heat pump be an all rounder better and cheaper (long term) option? How can I actually figure out what's best? Are heat loss calcs the place to begin?

gmartine · Apr 3, 2023

Insulation improvement and heat loss calcs are the way to go, the better you insulate the less you'll spend not matter what the system. Think about investing in other areas of the house you can further insulate besides the loft.

Sparkgap · Apr 3, 2023

Building insulation is the way to go. Depending on structure you might even need to look at internal dry lining/insulation. Also look at controls: If you're replacing the boiler get a weather compensation option to lower the system temp on warmer days. I have a combi at home and when I've replaced rads I've oversized them as well so I can run the boiler at lower temp=condensing=better efficiency.