What size radiator do I need?

hardpressed

I have a kitchen extension that I can't get warm. The room is approx. 6mts x 4mtrs. The builder assured me that as the extension is so well insulated the radiator I had in the former kitchen would be more that adequate. It's a single rad 160cm x60cm. What size rad would do I need? At the moment I'm using an electric oil filled rad to supplement the heating at mealtimes.

Savvy_Sue

And I would like to know what size of oil filled radiator I need for a room of about 40 cubic meters. It's a garden room, hopefully well insulated but no central heating.

Is there a ready reckoner somewhere?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

http://www.radcalcs.com/

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Use the above link (or just google BTU calculator) to get the BTU rating. You can then use that to see what type/size of appliance needed....

As you will see its not just size & insulation....

andrew-b

useful program here: http://www.stelrad.com/UK/stars.html

If you want to work out the heat losses yourself a good place to start is at http://diydata.com/planning/ch_design/sizing.php

Be aware though that it's sometimes better to have more than one rad in a room to heat the space more evenly.

ormus

i reckon a 2000 x 600 or a 2400 would be far better suited.
no wonder youre using a dimplex too.

hardpressed

ormus wrote: »

i reckon a 2000 x 600 or a 2400 would be far better suited.
no wonder youre using a dimplex too.

Would that be a double or single?

Mutton_Geoff

And don't forget to balance the system. I've sorted cold rooms more often by balancing than replacing radiators with something larger. In your case, it could be that the existing rad is a little small.

More info on balancing - http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/plumbing/rad-balance.html

ormus

hardpressed wrote: »

Would that be a double or single?

a double one.
your present rad is rated at approx 5500 BTUs. i reckon your needs are approx double that, ie 12000 BTUs/hour.
based on normal factors. your kitchen construction may well be different.