Hi have oil and a solid fuel range with fireplace in sitting room. Have been thinking about putting in stove with back boiler for ages as fireplace only heats the sitting room and the bedroom behind it and you could keep throwing turf/timber in all evening when lit. but i do love it when lit.
A solid fuel range is the thing as I do all the cooking on it, heats the whole house and water. The oil is a backup system for immediate heat. Have used immersion for water prob three times. We didnt put in any electric showhers at the time-all off the range.
The plumber put two switches in the utility which means we can turn off the heat in the bedroom areas or living areas. The advantage really hot in area where stwitch on but then no heat at all in area with switch off. handy if want to save oil heating the living area when u come home.
My brother building new house and his plumber said to put individual thermostats on each rad so u can turn down/up. Very good as u need never have any room with no heat at all. However expensive, not sure how much.
Insulate - spend all your money here, especially on good windows and doors.
No experience with any solar etc house too old (three years).