2597 Central Heating

[QUOTE=umbriabuyer]Hi all. I need to install a central heating system in my property (near Marsciano in Umbria). Any advice on whether I should use an architect or a geometra? Ideally I'd like one person who can deal with the builders/installers as well as help with the various permessos (I don't know what permessos I'll need but I presume I'll need some).[/QUOTE]

A Geometra should be sufficient to advise on any permissions, so much depends on size type of house, location etc., get a firm quote from the geometra for their side of the operation, and make sure you see competitive quotes from a few installers.

[quote=GeorgeS]A Geometra should be sufficient to advise on any permissions, so much depends on size type of house, location etc., get a firm quote from the geometra for their side of the operation, and make sure you see competitive quotes from a few installers.[/quote]
Sage advice as always.

Can anyone recommend a good Geometra, who is foreigner friendly in the Martina Franca/Ceglie Messapica/Grottalie area? As we need similar advice and more!!

[QUOTE=DaveJ]Sage advice as always.

Can anyone recommend a good Geometra, who is foreigner friendly in the Martina Franca/Ceglie Messapica/Grottalie area? As we need similar advice and more!![/QUOTE]

One tries, and,

I'm not going to be drawn into another debate about the various uses of herbs search "bergamot" for explanation...

Will, where have you gone.......;) ;) :)

[QUOTE=umbriabuyer]Hi all. I need to install a central heating system in my property (near Marsciano in Umbria). Any advice on whether I should use an architect or a geometra? Ideally I'd like one person who can deal with the builders/installers as well as help with the various permessos (I don't know what permessos I'll need but I presume I'll need some).[/QUOTE]

Good advice George. I would also add that it would be worthwhile getting an idea of what you want.

Start by deciding if capital costs or running cost is your main issue. If it's capital cost as it would likely be if it's a holiday place, then gas/radiators may suffice. Energy in Italy tends to be expensive, so if your there full time, an investment of a few thousand euros in solar water heating etc may prove far more cost effective. Lots of info on the forum, just trawl through it and get an idea of what you want.

Andy

Andy has hit the nail on the head, your choice is to either pay out initially, or have high running costs.

I have chosen to fork out now while I have the money and gone for a pellet burner with automatic gas backup powering all the radiators and hot water. This means that during the summer when things are warm I can leave the pellet burner off and run water from the gas heater. The bonus I have is that with the pellet burner I can have a SMS modem fitted for around E200. This means I can SMS the burner from the UK before I arrive in the winter and the house is warm when we arrive.

My Geometra is working with the local builder and Builder's merchant to get everything sorted. Original cost was around E4500, but with extra pluming and moving the bathroom around I expect it will be around E10000 for everything.

[QUOTE=Rafey]Andy has hit the nail on the head, your choice is to either pay out initially, or have high running costs.

I have chosen to fork out now while I have the money and gone for a pellet burner with automatic gas backup powering all the radiators and hot water. This means that during the summer when things are warm I can leave the pellet burner off and run water from the gas heater. The bonus I have is that with the pellet burner I can have a SMS modem fitted for around E200. This means I can SMS the burner from the UK before I arrive in the winter and the house is warm when we arrive.

My Geometra is working with the local builder and Builder's merchant to get everything sorted. Original cost was around E4500, but with extra pluming and moving the bathroom around I expect it will be around E10000 for everything.[/QUOTE]

Almost there with that, but the other point I was trying to point out is that anything environmentally friendly has to be balanced against the lifetime ownership costs.

As a for example, in the UK, if we install an electric heating system using convectors, this will have approximately a 3.5year pay back period. If you only use it for half the year, in simplistic terms, it would have a 7year payback......

What you decide on depends on how often you use the place. There are considerations that aren't cost related, but certainly the cost of 'ownership' should be considered. That said, I have a habit of baging on about rising energy prices, so if you put the renewable system in now you wont be too effected.

Andy

Hi Andy,

I plan to use the house only for long weekends (skiing in Abetone, walking in the summer),and perhaps a week or two in the summer.

Therefore I want low running costs. With a days heating being about a bag of pellets in winter (around E3.10) this is not too bad all costs considered.

[QUOTE=Rafey]Hi Andy,

I plan to use the house only for long weekends (skiing in Abetone, walking in the summer),and perhaps a week or two in the summer.

Therefore I want low running costs. With a days heating being about a bag of pellets in winter (around E3.10) this is not too bad all costs considered.[/QUOTE]

OK, OK, so I didn't read the first one properly!!!! Sorry.

Looking back it's glaringly obvious that the circa 2000euro extra cost is quickly paid for by the cost of connecting gas, cost of monthly standing charges and cost of providing annual certification of the boiler.

Just totting it up in my head, you will end up with a payback period of about 3years.

Only question there is, after three years, what are you going to spend the money on!!!

Andy

Err....how about flights to Italy, and lots of vino on each trip??!!!!!

:D