Looking to supplement the central heating at home, one room is north facing and very cold in the winter, this year I'd like to use it as a workshop area. As the house is rented I don't want a permanent fixture. Due to frequent power cuts, I also don't want to depend on electricity. Ideas?
Paraffin, good or bad?
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Or gas?
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Do they give off noxious gases?
Do thety give off unpleasant smells?
Any alternatives??
Thanks.
both = masses of condensation and you can smell it's been in use - gas probably less odour.
You do need to keep on top of ventilation due to the exhaust gases being in the room with you too.
If it's north facing and suffers frequent power cuts, how will you see to work when the power does go out?
Get one of those free standing halogen heaters, they are good on electric, only heat three person they are pointed at rather than the walls and air, and safe, the ones I've seen havea tilt switch and cut out if not upright. No good if you want to heat the whole room though.
Edit... Oops, missed the non electric bit! have you checks the existing rads are balanced properly? the one in the cold room might not be getting enough hot water.
ski suit from a charity shop might be an alternative?
If it's north facing and suffers frequent power cuts, how will you see to work when the power does go out?
I've got fork handles!
Properly insulate the house/room/yourself before trying to heat a space.
Properly insulate the house/room/yourself before trying to heat a space.
Not in a rented house, I'm not. Thanks
catalytic LPG [gas] heater better re Oxygen but they produce water vapour with the heat.
Would avoid meth type one if it has problems it really really stinks LPG can freeze so get propane.
Would rather have gas myself if they were th eonly two options.
Simon, if you are planning on being there for a year or so, it might work out cheaper to throw a load of fibreglass into the loft than pay high heating bills. Especially if the landlord goes halves when s/he realises you are willing to do the graft. (graft = trip to Been&Queued, 30 itchy minutes in the loft and maybe a bit of stick on draught seal around the doors and then a nice shower)
Cheaper as well if it means a dodgy gas fire isn't required.
Used a gas one in NZ. Smelt really bad when it was running. Didn't notice any difference in the condensation levels, but it did heat the room. We had plenty of air change in that house (draught) too and it still stank.
Edit - I know you didn't want electric, but the oil filled electric radiators are pretty good and keep warm after the power is off for a fair while.
it might work out cheaper to throw a load of fibreglass into the loft than pay high heating bills.
Unfortunately no loft, or at least no loft access. Spanish houses have a basic concrete stucture that is filled up with brick/stone. Interesting designs.
Maybe if the smell is bad I'll look for another option then, thanks.
The gas heaters are known as "bombs on wheels" on the gas courses I go on as they are a nightmare re carbon monoxide. Very dangerous, make sure you get the ventilation checked
Ive been using one of those gas heaters for nearly 20 years, never noticed a smell and never died of carbon monoxide poisoning. If they were that dangerous surely they wouldn't sell them.
They sell knives and stuff too, they are dangerous.
They sell knives and stuff too, they are dangerous.
Only when they're used incorrectly/inappropriately. 🙄
That's my point. The heaters are ok if used with appropriate precautions, dangerous if not 🙂
Sweepy, you wouldn't notice a smell with carbon monoxide. It depends on where you are using it. Well ventilated area and a large enough room volume then probably ok. Can't rememeber the excact figures and can't be arsed to look them up, but think min room volume is 100m3.
Point taken Bear that carbon monoxide doesnt smell, I was referring also to the gas smell others have spoken of, ive never been aware of it myself.
yes you are correct. gas should not smell. if you can smell it there is either a leak or incomplete combustion. (they add something to gas to make it smell actually)
I know you don't want to use electricity but if you change your mind consider a portable air conditioner working in "heat" mode. It's then a heat pump pulling heat from the outside air.
If you don't want leccy and you can't insulate, you're left with direct fuel combustion or catalytic heaters - so you'll have to deal with moisture, smells and the issue of ventilation.
I'd pick one based on availability of fuel.
The only other thing would be to consider something like an electrical storage heater? I know its electric, but it 'stores' the heat for use over the next 12 hours, so may even out the issue with intermittent supply.