Oil

Today there are an estimated four million households that are not on the gas grid; however there are several alternatives to heating an off grid property such as; solar, ground source or oil.

Oil is also known as a wet system. An oil boiler works by heating water within the property and feeding the water through the radiator system.

Oil is delivered to the property and stored in a tank outside; this tank has to be rented or bought from the oil supplier.

Pros of an oil system

• Efficient off grid heating source
• Available as heat only and combination condensing oil boilers.
• There are oil boilers designed specifically to be placed outside which can save on space inside
• External oil boilers are surrounded by a fully insulated cabinet to provide optimum performance through freezing temperatures
• Oil is a highly efficient fuel, utilising modern condensing technology, oil boilers now achieve 90% efficiency

Cons of an oil system

• There needs to be space available externally for the oil storage tank, the tank also needs to be easily accessible by the oil supplier
• The hot water temperature can decline in an oil system when more water is used