Just replace a radiator?

[JP_]

I have a cold room in my house, it is a room above the carport. The other night it was about 15 Celcius while other rooms were around 20.

I guess the insulation is not brilliant (it is a Barratt house, built 2002 so should be OK).

I was thinking of piling extra insulation in the loft and replacing the radiator as simple and cheap solutions.

This is the current radiator:

Can I just buy a larger one and get a plumber to fix it in? Do not plan to actually DIY, this is just the best place for advice!

 

[Whitespirit66]

Even without knowing the size of your room, that rad does look a little on the small side. If above a carport and with maybe several external walls, heat loss from the room could be significant.

Do the maths to find the correct size rad for the room -

http://www.radcalcs.com/

 

[Armo74]

As above, Also are you sure the rad is heating properly?

 

[Phill Peck]

Another important point would be that the thermostatic valve is semi enclosed
I would remove the head if I were u

 

[joe-90]

Are you sure your rads are balanced and it's getting up to full heat?

 

[JP_]

The valve is opened full.

It feels hot, but no idea how to know if at full heat.

I will measure the room and see what that calculator suggests

 

[mickyg]

pull up the floor and put some decent insulation under there, or put a false insulated roof in the car port

 

[JP_]

Hmmm, pulling up floors does not seem like a cheap or simple option. I'll start by increasing my carbon footprint I think!

I did have a look in the loft today and it could probably do with a little more insulation, although not sure if the thickest parts actually have more than is useful.

Is there a point at which insulation is no longer required? I put my hand under the insulation and it was very warm (relatively) there.

 

[mickyg]

Hmmm, pulling up floors does not seem like a cheap or simple option.

Well its definitely cheap as its free, just your time and effort required. The insulation might cost you £20 or so.

Is there a point at which insulation is no longer required?.

Not really, if your losing heat then more insulation will always be a benefit.

I think £20 for insulation is better than paying a couple hundred to have a new radiator fitted which might not be up to the job still !

One Sunday, One saw and a bit of elbow grease