Gas Central heating

I installed heating in preparation for this winter.

We live in a detached bungalow, around 10km inland, elevation approx 160 metres. In winter the overnight temperatures average 10 degrees, with occasional dips to 5 degrees. I installed 7 radiators. I plan to extend the heating into our guest annex in the Spring, making 12 radiators in total. The boiler has plenty of capacity for this extension. 

Costs for the 7 radiator installation ...

- radiators, valves, pipe fittings, etc.  900 Euros (delivered by Screwfix.eu)

- copper pipe 300 Euros (Leroy Merlin). 15mm and 22mm Spanish pipe works fine with "British-standard" solder ring fittings (I have only seen end-feed fittings for sale in Spain, and I thought these were a bit beyond my skill level)

- supply & fit combi-boiler  1860 Euros (Baxi Neodens, local Spanish installer recommended by several people)

- masonry gas bottle enclosure  700 Euros (local builder)

- Gas bottles and fittings (2nd hand)  230 Euros (purchased from a user of this forum)

- Miscellaneous tools that I needed to do the work 100 Euros

- Cepsa test, supply and fit and new rubber hoses  220 Euros

- Total  4310 Euros

I could have saved a little bit by having a simpler/uglier gas bottle enclosure.

I think that it will cost around 500 Euros to extend the system into the guest annex.

I ran the pipework on the surface (for painting-in) because our house does not have an under-build, and I didn't want to dig up the floors. I chose copper pipework because the various forms of plastic/barrier pipe tend to sag a bit when hot, so they are not suited to surface installation. I saw sagging in a couple of neighbours' homes. 

We have 12 propane bottles (each of 11 kg), in 2 sets of 6 with a manual change-over valve. 

The system was connected on 2nd October. We had 5 bottles "turned-on", and they ran out today (19th November), so I have just turned on the second set of 6, and ordered fresh bottles. I think we have used around 60 Euros of gas since 2nd October (the Cepsa guy released a bit of gas while doing the testing, so without that, the supply might have lasted an extra day or so). The system provides heating, hot water and the propane also supplies the kitchen hob. My wife is recovering from illness, hence we haven't been stingy with the heating.

The propane installation had to be tested by a Cepsa-appointed contractor.

The boiler installer was self-certified (he was a local licensed contractor). He also managed the Cepsa appointment etc., and did a bit of the gas work that I couldn't do (as the propane lines must be brazed, not soldered).

We could have bought the boiler ourselves, but preferred the warranty benefits of having a local supplier/installer.

I enjoyed doing the little project, and nothing leaked. 

FYI, prior to installing the new combi-boiler, we used 2 butane bottles per month (32 Euros) just for the gas hob and the hot water (which was supplied by an inefficient, wheezy old Fagor water heater).

If you are interested I have 8 x 35 kilo propane bottles plus changeover valve and legal housing for 350 euros.

PM me if interested.  You need central heating in Spain!!

Richard

That is good value.

Thanks Kelvin!   I know its good value but I have just had a tank installed and want them gone.  

As per my post, we're new to propane heating, and we might go for a tank in future.

Could I ask what that costs ?

Thx

Kelvin

Hi Kelvin

The tanks are gratis but Repsol quoted me between 600 and 800 euros for installation.    Cepsa quoted 200 so you can guess who I went for.  Gas price was the same.   Also with the Cepsa tank you can have telemetry so it orders its own gas when it gets low...

Best of luck

Richard

Hi Richard

What is the size of the tank please. Wondering if we have room for one and does it have to be a certain distance from the house?

Thanks

There are so many regulations re siting!    If you go online to Cepsa they have the dimensions there - I have a 1000 Kg Mini tank which is the smallest and sufficient for my needs.    It must be at least 4 metres away from any electrical machine air con units etc.    Must be at least 30 cms from nearest wall, tree or flammable object.  You must contract for 5 years.  The minimum fill per annum is 600 kilos of gas.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Richard.

Great info ... I am reaching for my tape measure

K