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We found that our kitchen didn't get very warm last winter. So we've had a quote for a wood burner to be installed, which is much, much higher than I imagined - second mortgage-size.
So then I decided to take the economy approach and see if our CH system is capable of any improvement without going silly. I found some web-based tables that tell you how many BTU's (approx) a specific room needs - filled in a few, and they all came out roughly in the same place.
So - how do I tell (roughly) how many BTU's my existing radiators pump out? If they're insufficient I can put bigger ones in, if not we'll just have a cold kitchen.
Sorry this is such a dull question. But it's bugging me.
Dull answer but it'll get asked. Are you sure your existing rads were working correctly?
They seemed to get quite warm in the winter - but the room didn't. How would I know if they didn't (not a sarky question, I really don't know!)?
They seems to get quite warm in the winter - but the room didn't. How would I know if they didn't (not a sarky question, I really don't know!)?
That could be that they're too small against the standard calcs but it could also be that the room is poorly insulated (eg drafts, lots of windows, etc)
Radiator manufacturers will quote the BTUs of the different models. If you don't know the models you already have, chances are something similarly sized with similar design will be very close in BTU output.
I'm no expert either but if the rads are warm and an even temp they seem to be working ok. Bigger, or more, will transfer more heat to the room, but maybe you're just loosing it to the outside. What's the insulation like? (walls, windows, ceiling, doors?)
And also consider whether the existing rads are in the right place - if they are in the wrong place the warm air simply won't be circulated. (They are normally situated beneath windows because that is where drafts usually are so the warm air is pushed into the room).
I would suggest getting a heating engineer round for a free assessment.
Thanks for all the comments.
Firstly, the room is never going to get close to winning any efficiency awards, it's got some pretty large windows etc, which I am aware of, but the rads seemed to have a negligible impact. Looking at them with no specific knowledge, they do seem pretty small which is why I was investigating the BTU-ometer thing. I will have a look at the output of similar-sized modern equivalents - didn't think of that.
Excellent point about placing - I hadn't thought of that either. They are not near the windows, so maybe some re-planning will help.
I am very reluctant to have someone round as I fear being told I need new boiler, system, anything else etc etc!
I would suggest making sure your current system is working as efficiently as possible. What's the state of the water in the rads - does it need flushing and refilling? Are there air blocks in the radiators? Are the radiators balanced correctly? If you have a room thermostat does it turn the system off before the kitchen is heated up?
Also look at insulation. Can you fit good quality curtains / blinds to the windows? Reduce air gaps around doors/windows.
is probably better to look at insulation (walls, floor, windows) rather than extra heat..
also for kitchen - how about electric underfloor heating mats
(They are normally situated beneath windows because that is where drafts usually are so the warm air is pushed into the room).
The drafts do not push warm air into the room... they are usually put under windows as that tends to be the coolest place in a room due to the lower insulation of the window.
Putting the rad under the window helps stop/reduce convection currents in the room. If you put a rad opposite a window the rad warms air local to it, it rises, cool air is drawn in to replace - the opposite happens near a window - the warm air is cooled and falls - this sets up a cycle across the room and is often why you get a cool draught at floor level.
Putting the rad under the window helps stop the cycle across a room
Also near a window is usual a dead space so useful to stick a rad there for reasons of space efficiency.
I am very reluctant to have someone round as I fear being told I need new boiler, system, anything else etc etc!
Get three plumbers in to have a look at it - you don't have to accept what they say.... but equally if they all say you need a new boiler/system flush/whatever, they may have a point. What have you got to lose from a no-obligation quote, other than being able to pick their brains?
The drafts do not push warm air into the room... they are usually put under windows as that tends to be the coolest place in a room due to the lower insulation of the window.Putting the rad under the window helps stop/reduce convection currents in the room. If you put a rad opposite a window the rad warms air local to it, it rises, cool air is drawn in to replace - the opposite happens near a window - the warm air is cooled and falls - this sets up a cycle across the room and is often why you get a cool draught at floor level.
Putting the rad under the window helps stop the cycle across a room
Also near a window is usual a dead space so useful to stick a rad there for reasons of space efficiency.
Fair enough - I knew there was a reason, obviously you have far superior actual knowledge of why. 🙂
Theromstats are on the rads themselves, so no central one.
Thanks for all the posts. Given that we discovered the boiler did not appear to have been touched since it was installed around 10 years ago (all manner of rubbish/soot was inside it), I accept that a thorough "review" of the whole system may be worthwhile, I'm just very wary of cowboys, met too many in the past.
Thanks again, I do appreciate it.
(Goes off to consider options).
Do you know anyone local who could recommend a tradesman? Where are you based? I am sure there will be someone on here who could help.
Failing that, there are some ratings websites for local tradesmen now too (don't Yell have a feedback bit now? Or Scoot?)
Fair enough - I knew there was a reason, obviously you have far superior actual knowledge of why.
as you [i]think[/i] i do that is all that matters 😆 😉
Si