Radiator not projecting any heat

[k4renm4c]

Although it is one of the biggest in the house and gets hot to touch all over (no air) you never feel any heat off it when you walk into the room in winter. Other rooms you can tell the rad is on, but this one barely makes a difference. We now have a damp/condensation prob because there is never any heat to the room.

However it does feel hot to touch and is a large rad. The same size and model work well in other rooms so why not this room. I bleed them twice a winter or as required. The gas boiler is serviced annually.

Suggestions welcomed!!

Karen

 

[bewsh]

possibly the rad is undersized, meaning the room loses more heat than the radiator can give out.

 

[The831Bunny]

Check the fins at the back of the panels top and bottom for fluff/pet hair etc.
A radiator atcually only radiates 20% of its heat, the rest is convected. Has it got a thermostatic valve? Sometimes they stick and restrict flow through the rad. But as bewsh said, its possible its undersized if its hot all over.

 

[Armo74]

Is it on an outside wall? Do you have cavity wall insulation?
Is it a recent problem if not when did you notice it?

 

[xr4x4]

This may sound odd, but has the rad been painted?

 

[Nige F]

This may sound odd, but has the rad been painted?

particularly silver

 

[k4renm4c]

Cheers guys.

I just measured it - its 90x22'' in a room that is approx 12ft x 12ft with a large triple bay window on the opp wall. Its on an internal wall, immediately behind is a cupboard and next to the cupboard is the boiler room. It is painted magnolia (by previous owner) but they are all painted the same throughout house and others work fine. It has one of the control knobs (1-5) but I always put it on 5 as it can be so cold. I tried all the numbers tho just in case it was an alignment issue or something.

It has always happened since I moved in 5 years ago. The previous owner thought he was a plumber/central heating whizz, so much so that he plumbed the toilet into the hot tap. My poor mother let out a yelp the first day I moved in

It wasnt a big deal until I decided to rent the house out. The last tennants moved out because it was too cold and damp in this room (the master bedroom). I have to agree as it was always the coldest room in the house when I lived here. Time to fix it before the new tennants arrive.

New big, cosy radiator?

 

[expertgasman]

so much so that he plumbed the toilet into the hot tap. My poor mother let out a yelp the first day I moved in


I had that in France, the Dordogne, if I recall correctly. Very pleasant, with a nice Merlot. Fricassed F@nny.

 

[doitall]

So what is the temperature of the radiator, and does it have fins (convector's) below 60c and you could have the answer.

 

[misterdubya]

so much so that he plumbed the toilet into the hot tap. My poor mother let out a yelp the first day I moved in

And you thought it was her who was having hot flushes

 

[D_Hailsham]

The rad may feel hot to touch, but is it giving off any heat? If it is, the temperature of the water leaving the rad will be lower than when it entered. You have to adjust the flow through the rad so the water has time to give off heat.

Check, by feeling, the temperature of the two pipes connected to the rad; one should be cooler than the other. Compare this to other rads. If there is very little difference in temperature, the rad has not been balanced properly. This could mean the whole system has not been balanced.

You balance by adjusting the lockshield valve - that's the one under a cylindrical cover. Read How to balance a CH system

 

[dcawkwell]

Put a new radiator in on the outside wall.

Double panel, Double convector. It will be roasting in no time.
Job done.

Rooms never feel warm without the radiator under the window
especially when the wind blows directly at the window like
it does in my house. It's freezing.

 

[gasafengineer]

Check, by feeling, the temperature of the two pipes connected to the rad; one should be cooler than the other. Compare this to other rads. If there is very little difference in temperature, the rad has not been balanced properly. This could mean the whole system has not been balanced.

]

If emitter is not balanced correctly you will 'usually' notice flow into emitter would be @ boiler flow temp with return out of emitter being stone cold , if you find little temp difference between flow/return (10k) @ all emitters then this will indicate system is balanced correctly.

 

[D_Hailsham]

If emitter is not balanced correctly you will 'usually' notice flow into emitter would be @ boiler flow temp with return out of emitter being stone cold

The only way you would get a stone cold return is if the LS valve was completely shut. Even a quarter turn open will give a warm pipe. The working range of a typical LS valve is from closed to 1½ turns open.

if you find little temp difference between flow/return (10k) @ all emitters then this will indicate system is balanced correctly.

It all depends on what you mean by "little"! You should be able to feel a 10k difference. That's why I suggested comparing it with the others.

 

[gasafengineer]

The only way you would get a stone cold return is if the LS valve was completely shut. Even a quarter turn open will give a warm pipe.
.

Nope...............unless of course i've been seeing (feeling ) things for the last 35 odd years.....................same applies with sticking TRVs , flow entry is hot wherby return is stone cold , lack of water flow rate being the issue here......................go crack a lockshield open & see.