HOW MUCH(??) Does It Cost To Run A Refleks Diesel Heater on a Canal Narrowboat?
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2020
- How much does it cost to run our Refleks Diesel Heater on our narrowboat? Find out how this compares with our experiences of running a solid fuel stove and diesel powered central heating (Webasto).
After 4 years of living on a canal boat, we are able to provide you with a breakdown of what we spent trying each of these heating options. At the end we share how each compares based on a monthly average spend and which has been our favourite way to keep our narrowboat warm.
Releks Diesel Heater Installation: • Installing the Refleks...
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We are thrilled that you enjoyed our ‘running cost’ video and we really hope that by laying out our running cost- especially but not exclusively for the diesel heating it will help you in the future to decide what heating is best for you. Of course you have so many other things to consider- like the cost of installation, upkeep and aesthetics. Those things aren’t in this video but costs of buying equipment are easily found with a quick google search or an email to a company. Here is a good place to start lockgate.com and www.nauticalworld.co.uk
We do not count the cost of installing a coal fire, central heating or diesel fire place to be a ‘running cost’ and therefore it has not been covered in this vlog. We won’t be going into detail about how much each of these systems cost to install and maintain and suggest you email companies to start your own budget if you require that information we are reluctant to quote company prices to you as they tend to change and we are not in a position to speak on behalf of any company about their costs. Whereas in this vlog we thought it helpful to share how much we spent on running costs- and are confident with our breakdowns, we thought you would find this of value as it is nice to see how other people live to help you with your own decisions. Again, we hope you have found it helpful to have our cost breakdown for three different ways of heating the narrowboat.
Why did I find that so fascinating? I will never have a narrowboat or a diesel fuel stove, but you two are just so adorable.
You are too kind!
Girl same at this point it seems clear that most narrowboattube fans are living the narrowboat life only vicariously haha
I just love your channel. Well done for being such an inspiration. I live on a sailing boat so also enjoy a travelling lifestyle. Your art and enterprise is impressive
Same I live in NC in the U.S. I will NEVER (well maybe not never) even be on a narrowboat but for some reason I’m addicted to narrowboat channels. Lmfao
Hello, My name is Michael I'm from Las Vegas I just wanted to say how much I love your videos, I think you ladies are awesome. I have become absolutely hooked on Narrowboats. I watch all of your videos as well as Cruising the Cut, and Country House Gent. I'm a huge history buff and can't wait to visit your Country. Looking forward to coming over and hiring a boat, my dream is to retire to your country and live on a narrowboat, Please keep the videos coming you were a great comfort during the lockdown. Have a wonderful summer cruising!!!
Thanks for being so thorough with your cost estimates. Appreciate it!
Brilliant analysis ladies. I had. "Squirrel" solid fuel stove central in my 57' n/b. I got my daily exercise sawing up dead wood, cleaning out the ash pan and the mess I made. I kept a winter stew simmering on the top during the winter months. As a single hander during my 15 years living aboard and constantly cruising I got to love my squirrel. Each to his own. John ex "The Dillen"
You both exude positivity. Your smiles and your empathy are models for many during these times . Also, your focus on the natural environment provides a much need respite. Thank you, and keep it up!
Converting an old barge I found that extremely helpful. Reflex about to be installed
Each facet you discuss and tell your experiences about Narrowboat living is wonderful and I love! Keep discussing every little thing you do in a normal day's life.
Thank you so much!
Love your weekly broadcasts, certainly one of my favorite Vlogs on UA-cam.
Yay, thank you!
What a great and informative vlog Anna and Kath. Thanks
We had a completely different experience on our boat. As liveaboards we had a refleks stove for over ten years and finally decided to swap it for a multifuel stove with backboiler which gives us hot water and heats the three radiators.
In our experience the refleks was expensive to run, there was always a smell of diesel fumes inside and outside the boat which was quite nausiating.
The refleks stove looks good and stylish but unlike a multistove you can't watch it (instead of the tv) and it doesn't feel homely. The heat from diesel is not a dry heat as you get from a multistove. Most of the time while on the boat we wear not much more than our underwear as it gets so hot.
Virtually all our fuel is gathered from the environment - wood is cut by chainsaw and split with mallet and axe. On the ocassion we buy coal briquettes we bag them up into small bags of about 12 briquettes at a time so as not dirty our hands when throwing them onto the fire.
We also make our own fire lighters using waste paper and old engine oil - this is very effective and nothing is wasted.
Our annual heating costs are no more than £200.
Yes, it does involve some work cutting wood etc and cleaning up dust but that is just considered a part of life!
There is something homely and magical sitting in front of a real fire just watching the flames while hearing the rain beat down on the roof and the wind howl.
It is really horses for courses!
So interesting and thanks for sharing.
@@TheNarrowboatExperience You guys didn't mention any diesel fumes. Do you have any of that?
There are fumes if your fire is going out.
Thank you for today's message. You have confirmed a thought I have had of the benefits of a diesel heater in the right situation. It also gets you closer to a single fuel for everything on a boat or ( bus). Stay warm and enjoy the spring and summer as the canal opens. All the best, Hal
Thanks for the information. I’m about to get a reflex stove with back boiler fitted to my 54ft narrow boat. I am sure my ruining costs will be a higher. I am on a boat that used to have a reflex with back boiler. So most of the plumbing (including radiators and hot water tank heating element) are already in place. I am so reassured that you are pleased with yours.
I have just subscribed to your magical Chanel, you guys are so much fun. I cant wait to explore all of your vlogs. Keep safe
Super breakdown ladies! What a fantastic resource for someone looking at the NB life. Really enjoyed the history and experience
Our pleasure!
VERY helpful analysis. Thank you!
Well done, ladies. Your efforts are duly recognized.
Thanks, ladies, that a very interesting comparison. Enjoy your travels. Stay Safe and Stay Well.
thanks for your help and advice.
Refleks heaters are also much lower maintenance than the likes of Webasto/Eberspacher units that run radiators or supply warm air. Webastos/ebers will coke up, require regular servicing (which they often don't get) and can be expensive to fix when they go wrong - PCBs costing hundreds of pounds, e.g. They also in my experience do not like to be run on low settings for extended periods so not really that suitable for full time liveaboard use in my opinion (11 years full time liveaboard on sailboats here). Refleks heaters come from Danish fishing boats, they're simple, reliable, low maintenence & economical. You made a good choice...
Hi guys,awesome video,very interesting to watch,and listen to the both of you talking about your experiences of your heating performance,
In the narrowboat,stay safe,
Very informative. Well done, Ladies!
Thank you so much for this information. We are considering having a widebeam built, this is really useful. We currently have a log burner in our house, we certainly don't want this type of heat again.
You did a great job of breaking down the fuel costs.
Thank you for this very interesting video!
I use a Refleks 60 on my 34 feet steel schooner for 27 years now.
In addition, I had a Hot Pot solid fuel stove. Today, the coal stove had to go for all the reasons, you mentioned. And, here in Germany, the gov. does not like coal and wood fires, you are always on the illegal side with the common boating stoves, as they are not certified. And, by their smell, they are easy to detect!
As the Refleks does not produce much smell, nobody cares!
Sometimes, my Refleks did not like to start, preheating with gel alcohol (barbecue starter) and lighting with firedrops (Feuerhexe) helped.
Very interesting information. Thank you ladies.
As a person that is planning the build of a narrowboat, this is great information both on heating choices and also the secondary diesel day tank for heating..Many Thanks.
So glad
Fantastic information. I just bought a boat and may be bump into you one day xx
Thanks. I love the fact that you're self-aware and honest enough to actually say that you wanted the diesel heater to turn out to the the best. You worked it out and it was, so that's great. And not just the lowest cost, but the best for your quality of life as well. Very happy for you.
Thank you
Again another very imformative video, and very easy to listen and watch, I must say i do like the idea of a Reflexs Heater
Hi from Aussie. I love your vlogs and have learnt a lot about narrow boats since watching you. We caravan around Aussie as we do not have canals like you do, however some of the information you give has been very useful for the caravan as it is really a very small narrow boat on wheels. Thank you both for the very informative vlogs and please stay safe and happy.
Very informative vlog we enjoyed it thankyou and stay safe both of you and the cats
Very useful advise.
Really helpful and informative, thank you very much 😁
Thanks for a very informative video you have confirmed is that reflex type is the way to go for me.
Amazing vlog girls, I jumped ahead to this one because it was about heating. Everyone seems to complain about the mess of coal and I have noticed how much space the bags of coal take up you loose your stern or well deck so in a smal space a waste. I had decided I prefered the diesel but was a little worried about the cost so thank you for proving it is in fact the cheaper, cleaner, space saving and efficient option. The tip about the second tank was also very helpful.
Glad you found it helpful
Hi ladies I.m back haha loved this vlog. My reflects has a pump and filter going to it had bit of problem the filter needed to be changed because all the muck in the deisel you sometimes get but sorted now and I did giggle a bit when you said about lighting the fire sometimes you do get blowout and when you light it again watch eyebrows etc lol. Very good and excellent vlog.👍👍👍
Thanks Kath and Anna, I enjoyed that.
Our pleasure!
yes its not cheap to buy and you have the installation costs, so ill keep to me coal fire im happy with it and you cant beat that nice glow you get in the winter, but everyone has there preferences thanks for the info nice video, cheers.
Great video you must have put a lot of time and effort into making this video which is much appreciated. Looks like it's a win win situation and very cheap to run over the cost of running the other forms of heating and much cleaner than the solid fuel stove. So stay safe and warm and see you in the next.
Awesome video thank you for the information it was helpful😊
Great review
Good job both oh you! Loved it.
A well presented honest vlog about heating narrow boats. Had to smile about the diesel stove whoosh! Most pyromaniac men would find that the highlight of the day
Glad you enjoyed it
I'm so pleased you're pleased; getting one of your heaters makes total sense.
I'm a sucker for real flames, but you make a very good case. Enjoy!
if you like the flames and the crackle you can just put a fire video on you TV/computer, very relaxing ua-cam.com/video/mWyak0g5LLI/v-deo.html
Solid stoves, cowboy's TV. They are hypnotic.
Your fireplace looks great!!! I saw the vid of you building it, good job!!👍 great channel by the way!👍
Thanks
Hi Girls, Another lovely video, and interesting breakdown of costs.Have really enjoyed your vids and will keep watching.Stay safe and well.....Richard.
Great advise. I’ve gone diesel myself. Also if you have another tank you can set it up to run heating oil which is half the price or red diesel 👍🏼
Absolutely fantastic video and content lady's. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. I live in Canada and will never be able to live on a canal like you, but you two sure know your stuff. Very educational and well-thought-out, well done to you both. Lots of hugs and love from Canada XOXO katt😻
Interesting video thanks for sharing keep safe both 👍
Hi,
I’ve been a liveaboard for the last seven years using a bubble diesel stove in conjunction with a webasto central heating system.
I use both to get the boat up to temperature in the winter and then turn the central heating off and stay warm with only the stove.
I work nights, three shifts a week, so no heating on then , and go through 20 litres of diesel a week to stay warm.
The diesel stove has been fantastic. Quick for heat, easy to shut off and zero mess and maintenance.
I would easily use this method to stay warm through the winter even if it cost more to run than a solid fuel stove.
The bonus is , as you’ve discovered it’s cheaper !
Thoroughly enjoyed this video, great job, have a fantastic summer.
Regards warren.
I'm always surprised at there always being more diesel left in the tank than I think. It's great. Thanks for sharing your experience too.
Hiya ladies thank you for the video it was most interesting and of Very useful. Can't wait to see next video.🤗🤗💯🙏🏼
I LOVE hw you two deligate resposibilty .. some people are better at one thing or another ... it rfeminds me so much of when my wife was with me (she passed away) She was SOOO good at finaces and child care .. and I was SO good at cooking and home repair :) ... we shared the work load evenly :)
Sounds perfect x
That was very instructive, I always thought I would want a solid fuel oven, now I'm not so sure. Need to rethink. And yes Kath is very good at explaining matters 😀
Well done Ladies, a Great video very informative, Thank you.
Hi girls. I’m 65 and have always been a caravanners but I so love watching your adventures with your cats I too take my cats away with me but have to stay on a seasonal pitch now
Thank u for your absolute entertaining videos. Stay safe xx
Thanks for watching
hi annamarie ordered that lovely painting on the wall by your fire extinguisher
Thanks for info. I had always assumed I would want a solid fuel burner or a heritage diesel stove 3 in 1 type but your reflecks stove seems to have won the day. I think idea of having separate tank good idea and reduces risks of using diesel from propulsion tank.
Happy boating 😊
Even though I’m not a boater (as of yet) but this was so informative and shows how much time and effort you put into making your vlogs. Stay warm and safe. Hugs to the kitties 🇨🇦😎💕❤️
I appreciate that!
Hi girls thank you for your video. Ive only had my 50ft narrowboat since last november. Ive only got the old alde gas heating system fitted for central.heating and hot water. Ive got 2 19kg gas bottles and in the winter just gone it used a bottle a week £46 pounds a week. It was so expensive. I dont have any other form of other heating yet and just about to fit a multifuel fire. Im.seriously thinking of the reflex diesel heater in the future. Thank you for working it all out on the cost of everything. Take care you two
Thanks for sharing the gas information. It seems very expensive. Looks like you will save money with a solid fuel or a diesel heater.
One used to be able to get lighting spills for transferring a flame from one source to light another. They were made of wood about a millimetre thick and about 10 inches long and, if I remember correctly, they were in a multitude of colors so that the spill jar, one had them in near the fire, was quite attractive. Can one still get them, if so, they could make your lighting up procedure a lot safer.
Very glad the system works so well. I remember in many of your early videos how often we'd see your breath and how much time was spent getting the boat back up to temp, etc. I'm not counting time when you both were working away from the boat, but it was pretty clear how often there were massive temperature swings you and the cats had to deal with. I'm sure even now if you've found out that "Well, setting 1 wasn't quite doing it, let's go to 2" or "Yup, too much on 3, go down to 1 or 2" the variation is much less. It's one thing to start at "Just a bit chillier than I'd like" and get to "this is what I wanted, and I just turned a switch one position", and another to have to start at "It's absolutely unbearable". Good planning on the fuel tanks - it'll be interesting to see what happens with tax regulations with all of the other changes on the way, but it's better to be insulated from suddenly paying more. Also, if your tanks are separate, you can't run yourself out of propulsion fuel accidentally, so this way if you do run low on heating fuel cold, you fire up the engine and head off to get more, or in an emergency decant propulsion fuel to get through something like being iced in. Thanks for crunching all the numbers :) Stay safe - I can't wait for the next cruising video, cat playtime or a "through the hedge"!
Yes, remember our breath on the first year. And cooking in coats. Oh well it all got us to where we are now. lol
I think the separate tank is good so you don't worry about running out of your propulsion- as you will always need that to help you go get some more diesel- if you get what I mean.
Great video ladies and very informative. I don't actually have a narrowboat at the moment but one day ...
Go for it!
Love you guys!! 😍😍❤❤ Much love from Detroit, Michigan
Thank you x
Just wanted to say what a good video this was, if we ever get a boat we would like the oil burner. Our sons boat has a multi stove and the dust is a big problem. We had solid fuel in our home for a while and the dust does get you down, we now have oil much better. Keep up the good work.
Thanks 👍
Hi guys, well that was really informative and I think you've converted me! Diesel all the way then. Really lovely to have my Sunday morning cuppa with you both, and thank you for another great video 🌻
We are glad this helped
Good overview.👍 I think the single fuel logistics is a major win with the Reflexs but you may wish to consider having the facility to pump fuel from your main tank to the day tank which would be easy and relatively cheap to do. On the Webasto there must be a control upgrade that would offer thermostat and timer - great as a back up system should a fault occur with the Reflex during the next ‘Beast’.
Just watched you house vs boat vblog. It was so fabulous. You looked so young. Wanted to give you both a hug 😁. Might be an idea to do a catch-up on this. Hope you both remain happy.
Excellent video. Thanks!
You are welcome!
Excellent report with some surprising information. My dismay was the absence of a thermostat on the Webasto and Reflek heaters. Stay Safe and warm.
Well done girls, very interesting. Stay well and safe
Diesel engine, diesel heating, it makes things so much easier and no mess, love that stove.
Good Morning NB's I'm catching up with my YT videos. Thank you for posting this informative video. Still think your Diesal fireplace looks so smart. And glad it's turned out to your benefit. Hope you are both well, 💚⚓⛵🔥🐶🐾
Very informative and well explained, ladies, thank you very much! I, too, am unlikely to be on a narrowboat in the near future, but you two and the cats are compulsive viewing!
Most interesting vlog thank you keep safe
It’s a classic win-win. You two, (four), are the most comfortable at the least cost.
You ladies really give honest useful info & your attention to detail and wanting to give good solid info is really a nice change of pace esp on u-tube but I will say I live in the US and my chances of living on a narrowboat are pretty low but even with those chances you'll kept me intrigued throughout the entire video. Love, Love Love you ladies❤
Thanks for watching
❤❤❤
Very interesting video thanks!
My pleasure!
A very interesting and informative vlog! I was keen to see how the costs would compare, having had both solid fuel and oil fires stoves, and was very glad to see the oil compared well with the solid fuel.
I think lots of people will feel that foraging will make all the difference, but we never did that. I'm also concerned about what will happen when the propulsion/heating split goes, but in reality, let's face it, Boatings not cheap (as so many people think!), so we'll probably just have to put up with it, as I doubt many places will sell both white AND red deisel!
So glad you are pleased with your Reflex stove, you won't remember but I recommended Lockgate to you, and although I was confident they were an excellent company, its always a concern that you've made a good recommendation!
Happy cruising, and stay safe.👋👍
We don’t feel that the central heating compared to the fire as we only ran it a few fours a day and it did produce a lot of condensation. But in a pinch, like we were, we could manage it.
This was excellent!
Thank you so much.
You’re welcome
Very interesting. Thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed it
Fantastic vlogs ladies 😊 great insight . I would love to invest in a narrow boat ( eventually ) and any morsel of information gleaned from vlogs like yours is extremely useful 🙏🏻 oh and love the foraging element .
Thanks so much! 😊
That’s very interesting and if ever I’m lucky enough to get another boat in the future! I will definitely go for diesel. An interesting point for me would be whether Reflex do a back boiler for water and central heating and whether you considered that. Your stove is really attractive and looks beautiful when lit, which surprised me. Thanks as always for sharing your fantastic experience.
They do a model with the back boiler for water and heating. We decided against it as they use a little more fuel and the boat is open plan enough for the heat to travel as needed. Also we don’t like our bedroom to be super hot as we’ve heard it can be with the radiators running from a back boiler.
Gosh Kath is so meticulous in her record keeping and Anneamarie presents so well this video is a goldmine for other boaters or potential boaters ,Well done ladies.
*Cheers from Canada"
We really want other boaters to benefit from our experience. thanks x
Still looks cosy, love it. Cosyness is the bestest🤩🥰
We actually really like the look of it and when you are so warm it's hard not to be cosy lol x
Great analysis!!! :)
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice vid Lady’s great info
Thanks for watching!
2 of my neighbours have the Refleks stoves on their boats and they have switched to using Kerosene because it's cleaner for the internal workings of the stove and also because it burns more efficiently.
Thank you very much for a great episode.
How do you find your humidity is effected by heating choices? Do you have problems drying your coats, towels, or long johns?
Very useful vlog, gals, thanks! I have big multifuel stove on my widebeam that heats the whole boat very quickly when I use wood. It does produce a fair bit of ash, put it's clean ash! Have a Webasto too. But when I reach my dotage, it'll be time for a Reflex for sure.
Sounds great!
@@TheNarrowboatExperience And I agree with your running costs!
Hello ladies, first of all thank you for a very entertaining channel. My good lady and myself recently spent a weeks holiday cruising on a rented boat. Whilst our friends handled the locks I spent the holiday at the tiller. My question is do any of you find cruising stressful? It was a very enjoyable holiday but I've never consumed as much vodka in one week. Thank you loads.
Great review! Got the Alde gas boiler for C heating - hardly ever use it with the diesel stove. Gas is expensive to run- can easily burn a big gas bottle in 3 days if cold.
Loving the vlogs last ladies and can’t wait for cruising to start properly.
Barolo No.2
Interesting thanks
I'd make a suggestion, (which I may have made before, if so, please forgive the repeat), but if you get some reflectix (aluminium insulation), you can measure it out and cut to size for your windows in the winter which will help keep the heat in, especially when it's really cold, or generally throughout the winter. It will of course block out the light, so you'd want to take it down during the day. I live in an RV (caravan) and use it in all my windows, though it's too difficult to constantly take it down and put it up. I live in Texas which gets quite hot in the summer, and it does help reflect some of the heat back onto the windows during the day. Anyway...just a tiny suggestion. Thanks for breaking down your costs. It's always interesting to see what alternative living costs folks. Cheers! DonP
I’m now in a cabin in New Mexico. I will be checking this out here. Hope it is available. And you are adorable .
Excellent, let us know how you get on with it.
We thought the coal would be cheaper than the diesel so great surprise. It’s a lovely heater and seems very efficient, glad you haven’t had to struggle with the cold anymore. I think people forget that your living space is partly below water and adds to the fluctuation in temperature. Keeping a boat comfortably warm can be a challenge.👍🙂
I think it depends where you get your coal from, we couldn't often find it for less than £12 for a 25 kg bag. Foraging is definitely the cheapest. But hands down we love the diesel.
Great information, thank you for all the work that went into that. Do you know if there's any difference environmentally speaking between the three different types of heating?
unsure sorry.
What lovely people and video, much liked and appreciated.whats a normal day time running temperature for your ladies please.!
Thanks guys I'll think of you when I'm huddled round my little candle heater in the cuddy. Think the diesel heater is a winner. Alan.
You can get smaller ones
I get a lot of free wood from work for my multifuel stove, the trouble is, as you say, storing it so I often have to buy bags of coal for when my wood stock runs out, i do like it but it's messy and a pain. I have been given a used Refleks sso I'm going to swap once I've worked out what i need, mine can run radiators as well apparently, it has a water jacket in it.