Help with Gas Heating - Clueless

o_Looby_o

Hi

Firstly I'll apologise for being totally clueless about these type of things. I've read so much information regarding so many different types of heating and things and I am still none the wiser.

I am not sure if I have put this question in the wrong forum bit, if I have done it wrong, can someone please move it? Thank you in advance.

I live in a 4 bedroom (although only two of the bedrooms are in use) flat, which is situated above a shop in a high street.

The property is rented (from a family member, so have more flexibility as to what I can do to the property). Its an old style building which very high ceilings and old sash windows. The windows are in good condition, but obviously not as efficent as UPVC.

The property does have gas heating, but not central heating. It has wall mounted gas heaters on the wall in 2 rooms and then what looks like an open fire (but operates by gas) in the living room.

Unfortunately, the flat has 10 rooms in total (including bathroom), it also has a large central double height hallway. (half of the rooms are not used and have been shut off)

I have tried so many different way of having these 3 gas heaters on and no matter which way it is (putting them all on high for a short period or leaving them all on low for a long period etc etc) the flat is always so cold that I've resorted to sitting in my car to get warm . Even wearing thermals, 3 tshirts, 2 jumpers and 3 pairs of leggings with jeans over the top, I still am shivering.

I know there are so many things I have to do to make it the property more effeicent, but there are certain things I just can't do, such as loft insulation - that is not applicable for me as the flat has a flat roof. I cannot do cavity wall insulation as the walls have no cavities and I can't change the windows for PVC as I would have to get a certain kind to meet with planning regs, which are super expensive.

I know I'm waffling but I am at totally fed up and hate the thought of going home most days as I know it will be so uncomfortable when I get there.

The 3 heaters I've got that are on the wall cost approximately £10.00 per week, each to run on low for 24hrs a day. I worked this out by taking meter readings and EDF (the company my gas/elec is through) helping me work it out.

My main question is that I do not earn a huge amount of money (15.5k) and can not afford to leave the heating on all day, so is there ANYTHING i can do to help with the heat situation (or lack of) where I live.

Oh and I also spent some money on plastic sheeting at the beginning of the year to put over the window to act like double glazing.

I was considering Gas Central heating and just taking out a loan to cover the cost of installing it, but I was not sure if that was a silly idea and if it would cost to much to run.

I apologise for waffling, just wondered if any of you guys had an idea of a way I could keep warm, well, not even warm...Just warm enough so that it is bearable.

Can someone advise? If not, no matter... Just thought I'd ask on the off chance.

Thank you in advance

Lucy x

Fire_Fox

How effective was the plastic film double glazing? I have found this works very well with draughty windows. Are there any other draughts (e.g. doors)? Is there any damp/ are you airing the flat well? Damp will make it feel much colder than it is.

Which rooms are you trying to heat? If bedrooms that you are not in, buy a heated electric underblanket and good quality duvet. Are you sure you can't get access the roof space at all, must have some access for fitting lighting? Have you asked a builder or cavity wall company for a free insulation quote? Then use the time to ask lots of questions!

No point in wasting money heating a flat without sorting out the insulation problems, you will just be paying to heat the street as you are now.

skellysgirl

what about a calor gas fire, cost effective and gives a quick result when needing to get warm

o_Looby_o

Fire_Fox wrote: »

How effective was the plastic film double glazing? I have found this works very well with draughty windows. Are there any other draughts (e.g. doors)? Is there any damp/ are you airing the flat well? Damp will make it feel much colder than it is.

Which rooms are you trying to heat? If bedrooms that you are not in, buy a heated electric underblanket and good quality duvet. Are you sure you can't get access the roof space at all, must have some access for fitting lighting? Have you asked a builder or cavity wall company for a free insulation quote? Then use the time to ask lots of questions!

No point in wasting money heating a flat without sorting out the insulation problems, you will just be paying to heat the street as you are now.

Hi - Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I have purchased an electric blanket which does make a difference when I am going to bed.

The plastic over the windows has stopped one of the many draughts. I have also put some door curtains up to stop more draughts. I do open up some windows when its a bit sunny, but I do not keep a window open all the time as it would make it even colder in the flat.

I have had a builder round to check about the roof insulation and then a specialist company about the cavity wall and both have said it is not possible . I was not to sure they were telling the truth (or maybe I just didn't want to believe them) so I got 2nd opinions and they said it wasn't possible either . Another problem is, even if I could have the services, I could not afford to have them done!

At the current time, I would be happy heating the living room, the hallway to some extent and maybe another room (kitchen???? Computer room???). I would not heat the bedroom as I have a duvet and electric blanket for that.

You are exactly right, I do not wish to be heating the place (which costs a fortune and doesn't even take the chill off) and for all that heat to be going straight out the flat but I cannot see a solution?

Thank you again for replying.

o_Looby_o

skellysgirl wrote: »

what about a calor gas fire, cost effective and gives a quick result when needing to get warm

Hi - Thank you so much for the reply.

I have for a calor gas fire as it was given to my by a relative. It does work very well, but unfortunately due to the high ceilings, you only seem to benefit from it if you are sitting right next to it (or in my cats case, almost touching his nose against it and singeing his whiskers!).

I was wondering if maybe the calor gas heater is past its prime and is not working effeciently, or do all calor gas heaters only work if you are sat fairly near them?

KimYeovil

A radiator has a panel four feet by two feet evenly radiating out heat. Your Calor gas fire has a panel four inches by two inches!

The Calor gas fire just has a more intense source so it is much warmer when you sit nearer (and the other side of your body feels subjectively colder.) I'm sure if you stuck a thermometer on the other side of the room there would be little difference in actual temperature.

o_Looby_o

KimYeovil wrote: »

A radiator has a panel four feet by two feet evenly radiating out heat. Your Calor gas fire has a panel four inches by two inches!

The Calor gas fire just has a more intense source so it is much warmer when you sit nearer (and the other side of your body feels colder.) I'm sure if you stuck a thermometer on the other side of the room there would be little difference in actual temperature.

Oh dear - So the Calor Gas is pretty pointless then

KimYeovil

No, I mean there is little difference in the heat provided by the Calor fire and that by a radiator. The point is the heat distribution from the Calor fire is more pointed, not pointless.

Fire_Fox

o_Looby_o wrote: »

The plastic over the windows has stopped one of the many draughts. I have also put some door curtains up to stop more draughts. I do open up some windows when its a bit sunny, but I do not keep a window open all the time as it would make it even colder in the flat.

I have had a builder round to check about the roof insulation and then a specialist company about the cavity wall and both have said it is not possible . I was not to sure they were telling the truth (or maybe I just didn't want to believe them) so I got 2nd opinions and they said it wasn't possible either . Another problem is, even if I could have the services, I could not afford to have them done!

At the current time, I would be happy heating the living room, the hallway to some extent and maybe another room (kitchen???? Computer room???). I would not heat the bedroom as I have a duvet and electric blanket for that.

You are exactly right, I do not wish to be heating the place (which costs a fortune and doesn't even take the chill off) and for all that heat to be going straight out the flat but I cannot see a solution?

Thank you again for replying.

Your calor gas heater will be kicking out a lot of water - if you are not ventilating properly you will have damp air, and will feel colder. I need to ventilate my flat daily in winter, for an hour or two at a time, but it is awfully cold! Presumably you cannot ventilate all rooms due to the plastic film?? The alternative is to run a dehumidifier on a regular basis in winter which is not too expensive and very effective.

Door curtains will limit draughts but I would also add some (cheap) draught excluder to all doors. All curtains could be thermally lined, are they? You might also consider adding insulating plasterboard to the inside walls/ ceilings of the flat, but this is a pretty big job and probably fairly expensive. Or ceiling fans to push the warm air downwards.

The only MSE options are to move to a modern flat (mine doesn't fall below 15C unless I have the windows open) or get two more housemates in to share the rent and bills! If you are really skint in general, head over to the Debt-free Wannabe board and complete a Statement of Affairs (link on sticky on main page) - a friendly and helpful bunch you will find.
:beer:

Fire_Fox

I am not trying to convert you, but this leaflet seems to have some good tips!
http://www.livinglightly24-1.org.uk/90_home_energy_reduction.pdf

Heated throw!
http://www.additionsdirect.co.uk/rf/add/p.do/homewares/heated-bedding/bedding/dreamland/relaxwell-heated-throw?A=5296453935189415419015

Heated clothes!
http://www.primrose-london.co.uk/heated-gloves-heated-waistcoats-c-37_753.html?source=googleads&gclid=CLjc1OP7wJgCFYKB3godIAqDYQ