TRV advice / How can I make the house warmer ?

[earlgreaves]

I have an old system with conventional potterton 60e boiler, water tank, header tank and cylinder. It's a 3 floor house with 10 radiators. Most of the radiator valves have seized in their current positions and there is no room thermostat. The radiators haven't been balanced since I moved in 14 years ago.

This winter the house feels a lot colder, possibly since I last had some work done on the system, and the top floor radiators are hardly heating at all. (At least one has the valves closed anyway.) Even on the ground floor, where the 3 radiators are hot, is far from toasty.

A couple of plumbers have not wanted to start balancing the system because of the seized valves but now I would like to get this sorted out once and for all. I don't want to replace the boiler yet because that will be done when we extend the kitchen.

What can I do to heat the house more efficiently ? Obviously the valves need replacing but I don't know what with - should I fit TRVs ? and what kind of thermostat ? It's not as though money's no object, but I don't want to skimp on finally getting the heating working properly.

Any advice much appreciated,

Earl

 

[HERTS P&D]

Fit new valves and TRV's.

Balance the system.

Andy

 

[dcawkwell]

No plumber is interested in balancing the system because the moment
they touch the radiator valves they will be leaking all over the place.

Have all the radiator valves replaced and balance the system.

 

[leakydave]

Insulate the loft more

 

[earlgreaves]

thanks for the replies - i realise it's because the valves might leak if they are forced.

should a TRV be fitted to each of the radiators ?

and what should i expect to pay someone to do the work or replacing & balancing ?

earl

No plumber is interested in balancing the system because the moment
they touch the radiator valves they will be leaking all over the place.

Have all the radiator valves replaced and balance the system.