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Tuesday, March 22

J - just when you thought all was sorted!

ABC Wednesday is here again





Like many people out there we are concerned about the rising costs of heating our home. Our central heating is oil fuelled. The tank holds 1,000 litres of heating oil - when we first had the oil tank installed it cost £200 for 1,000 litres. This winter we have been paying £300+ for 500 litres. We have gone back to the drawing board and decided NOT to replace the Aga I repeat NOT to replace the Aga. It only heats one radiator - a Rayburn will heat up to 10 radiators and is multi-fuelled. It will run on coal, peat and wood. Whilst when burning wood on it the heat will not be as intense as it would be if we used coal, nevertheless we have a good source of wood and logs in the village.
As Jon is chief heating engineer we went to visit a chap who was selling his Rayburn in order to have a good discussion about the general running and maintenance of such a beast. Jon's eyes lit up at the sight of the various controls - thermostats, knobs, dials, levers, you name it, the Rayburn has it with bells on. Jon liked the idea of managing the efficiency with a twiddle of a few knobs.
The Rayburn is slightly smaller than the Aga but this will not present any problems. Now colour - I am fancying a pistachio/green/aqua one - will fit in nicely with my colour scheme.
If the nice weather continues we may have a period of time where we will let our Aga go out and be dismantled but no hurry just yet. We still have lots to do. Our Aga will be recycled and will be sold on to somebody else probably in part exchange for the refurbished one we will buy. Costs are cheaper than the Aga and should allow us to save considerably on our fuel bills!

Watch this space!

31 comments:

  1. It's always tricky to find the balance between the look you want and the practical considerations. I worry that the cost of fuel will become prohibitive in the not-too-distant future without alternative energy in place

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  2. I like your choice of colour. Pretty important decision if you're to be stuck with it for some time!

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  3. Unbelievable rise in fuel prices!

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  4. Roger and Jenny
    The rise in fuel prices has gone through the roof. I want a warm home where we can feel secure - not worrying about switching the heating on. We have lots of places where we can recycle fallen branches.

    Shooting
    Thanks - not so accurate but when it is installed it will certainly go with the colour scheme.

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  5. I'm sure you'll be happy with your decision, you've done a lot of research so there shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises. The colour is lovely.

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  6. Jo
    Yes we have research coming out of our ears I can tell you - but it will all be worth it. Jon originally mentioned a Rayburn but I was too emotionally attached to the Aga - times like this are for practicalities not sentiments don't you think? Dxx

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  7. OMG I thought I was having a deja-vous moment there LOL
    Glad you got something sorted after so much deliberation :-D
    Cool colour by the way.

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  8. OK...
    You are not replacing the Aga ? I thought you were keeping your old one ?
    But the way I read this post the Rayburn heats up to ten radiators where the Age heats one ? But your keeping it and it is now a beautiful shade of blue...
    I am so confused but I am happy your happy only if your happy then I am happy ... are the chickens happy with this choice ?

    cheers, parsnip

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  9. I know what you mean about Agas Denise - when we bought ours new in 1967 the oil cost us £32 a month - now it is costing £150 a month. There is no cheap way to run one.

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  10. Its scary the way everything keeps raising. I like your decision on your Aga and Rayburn. Hang in there your redo will be fabulous and your home will be snug and cozy.

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  11. Fuel and energy problems are universal looks like and it has become prohibitive here too!!
    Wish you the very best!!

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  12. This post reminded me that I need to pay my gas bill today. Fortunately I can pay online.

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  13. Gorgeous colour, I have a rayburn, but want a large AGA...in my dreams!!

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  14. I'm absolutely fascinated by the Aga. I've never seen a Rayburn, I'm off to google it now.

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  15. You've certainly done a lot of research on this! Did you ever consider electric? Or is the point that you want the Rayburn to heat the house, too? I love the look of it and the colour, too!

    Leslie

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  16. Leslie - we did consider electric but we often get power cuts and we would have been well and truly stuffed. The Rayburn was always Jon's idea and will be much more reasonable than any of the alternatives - a good choice all round.

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  17. That's one good-looking heating device. Bet you'll be very happy with it.

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  18. Very interesting review Denise!Good luck with your choice!
    Léia

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  19. The multi fuel sounds just the thing, covered for every eventuality. The knobs and the colour are a bonus. Happy heating.

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  20. By this point I can certainly say you've definitely done your homework. Maybe if I put as much thought into my decisions...no, I'd still second-guess myself lol. And it's a yummy color.

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  21. Love that colour!
    I was watching just a bit of Midsomer Murders the other night, (channel hopping!), and the scene that captivated me, was not the scene of a murder,(There's always more than one!), but the colour of Inspector whatsisnames' kitchen wall, it's just the shade of greeny blue I'd like to paint my bedroom!
    So, we have to keep 'watching your space' now for the final descion (can't spell!),on the colour etc ?
    We can wait!

    If I could have an AGA, I think that's the colour I'd go for, or maybe British Racing Green, or powder blue or cream....it's that 'D' word I can't seem to spell again!

    Sandie xx

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  22. "Jon's eyes lit up at the sight of the various controls - thermostats, knobs, dials, levers, you name it," I marvel at brains like that because I never understand most mechanics or appliances.

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  23. It interesting and scary to hear thar we face the same plights which seems to be global.

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  24. Spiralling fuel costs seem to be a global concern. Hope we are able to use alternate fuels efficiently in the near future...

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  25. In Belgium it's the same, some people get extra heating money from the government because oil became so expensive. Fortunately we don't have this problem we have electric central heating. When we built our house in 1973 there was the first oil crisis and these kind of heating was very recommended. Of course we get a special rate for that and are quiet happy with it.
    I don't know this kind of heating what you show.

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  26. Hi, Denise - thanks for your virtual hug! Feel slightly better today, but bit weary! I've emailed you my address - let me know if you do / don't get it! Abby x

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  27. While I am coming in late to this discussion, I feel your pain. WE have to replace kitchen cabinet doors because they are too large for the hinges. The problem is they are ovesized and it costs a FORTUNE for custom made doors... may pay to do the whole kitchen...ugh. So here's to research!

    Meryl
    http://departingthetext.blogspot.com

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  28. I wish we could get Rayburn's or Aga's -- I have fallen in love with their colors and efficiency.
    My new heating system is a heat pump.... sitting outside all bulky and gray!
    Helen Mac, ABC Wednesday Team

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  29. We're sick of hearing of reports about thieves taking heating fuel. As you know, we have an Aga but we only use it to heat the water. We have gas central heating so we have 3 tanks outside - 1 for kerosene for the Aga, 1 for gas for the heating and 1 for red diesel for the machinery.

    I'd love a shiny red Aga but the farmer won't change the one we've got which is older than me!

    CJ xx

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  30. It's a case of 'Watch this space' . . . and we all are, with interest. It's funny how plans can change so quickly, isn't it? Heating costs are atrocious so I understand your change of heart.

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Thank you for your comments, always nice to know somebody has taken the time to let me know what they think.