Advice needed on oil and non-oil column radiators

[cooa99]

Hi,

I am in need to a heater for the lounge which is always either too cold with heating off (away from sun) or too hot with heating on. The lounge is the coldest part of the house. The rest of the house is way too warm if we decide to please the lounge

I would like to get a heater for the lounge so I don't have to always crank the central heating up all the time

So was thinking that an oil filled radiator with timer settings would be ideal in terms of running cost and efficiency.

checking the web also show there are similar ones that are not oil filled.

which is better of the two?

cheers

 

[stem]

Oil radiators emit a heat pretty much the same as from wet central heating radiators, they take a while to warm up, and a while to cool down. Other types of heaters such as convectors, where the air is warmed directly over the heating element, emit heat pretty much straight away, but go cold as soon as they are switched off. Some feel that the latter dry the air more because of its direct contact with the heating element which is much hotter than the surface of an oil radiator.

Regarding operating costs both types turn electrical energy into heat and are equally efficient. With electricity, there are no external losses (ie flue gasses). A 1kW oil radiator will use as much electricity as a 1kW convector and emit the same amount of heat, when operating at full capacity.

Whatever you choose, select one with a thermostat which senses room temperature, rather than one that just controls the temperature of the heater. That way it will start off emitting maximum heat, then once the required room temperature is reached will cycle on and off to maintain it.

You don't say what fuel your existing central heating uses, but unless its use is minimal, electricity will likely be more expensive. If it were me, I would get the central heating set up properly by fitting TRV's. Then, the rooms that get too hot now won't and if the lounge is still too cold either a larger radiator, or an extra one should do the trick.

 

[alan333]

My parents use thermostatic control oil filled radiators as replacements to their old "off peak" heaters (like white meter but was a little better). Doesn't seem to be expensive to run and cuts on and off as temp required, as suggested by stem. However I'm also with stem, ie I'd get thermostatic radiator valves (TRV's) on my existing radiators and use the heaters you've got. Just set each room to the temp you want and they'll cut off and on as the room requires.

 

[cooa99]

Thanks very much for the replies, and sorry for responding so late. I must have missed the email notification...

I will look into the TRV's this summer to fit. It also looks like I will have to get an oil radiator as well for the winter as my missus's employer has agree for her to work 2 days at home.

I take it that the TRV's will need to be fitted to every radiator in the house for it to be effective?

 

[alan333]

It also looks like I will have to get an oil radiator as well for the winter as my missus's employer has agree for her to work 2 days at home.

One year (of the 13 years I lived in my previous big 4-in-block flat) I was at mainly at home so the heating was on a lot more than other years. That particular year was the one which used the LEAST gas. I'm of the opinion that it doesn't take much to keep the house at a steady temp as long as you have reasonable insulation etc. Also, off topic, you should be able to claim some form of expenses or tax relief for the extra heating/electic bills etc for working at home.

I take it that the TRV's will need to be fitted to every radiator in the house for it to be effective?

Some systems require a "dump" radiator which is permanently on when the heating is on, often set as the bathroom one. Other sytems don't, so can have TRV's on all rad's.

 

[stem]

Some systems require a "dump" radiator which is permanently on when the heating is on, often set as the bathroom one. Other sytems don't, so can have TRV's on all rad's.

A dump radiator is usually for solid fuel systems where the fire can't be extinguished when room temperature is reached.

With gas / oil systems, the radiator in the room containing the room thermostat (ie having the boiler interlock control) is not fitted with a TRV.