Cost of running a radiator

ef99

Hi,

We have moved into a 1920's semi with a downstairs room that has been converted from a garage I think. It doesnt have any heating and is absolutely freezing during the winter. We have had some quotes for putting in a radiator (approx £300) and insulation to the ceiling alone (approx £1.8k). We cannot afford to have the insultation done at the moment so we're trying to decide if its worth having a radiator put in. We dont use the room a lot (its a spare bedroom and we have an oil filled radiator for when people come to stay) but it borders the children's playroom and the cold does tend to make that room fairly unuseable in winter (cat flap in spare room so cant just shut room off in winter). Does anyone know how i'd work out the approx cost of running an additional radiator on our system (combi boiler installed 2010 with 9 radiators off it) and/or have any advice on this?

Thanks

keystone

First question you have to ask is whether your boiler and system pipework are sized appropriately to allow the addition of another radiator? If they are not then you are in a different ballpark altogether. Whats the combi make/model no?

In truth the answer to your question is peanuts in the overall scheme of things. But nobody can actually answer in £sd because all you've done by adding a rad is make the system slightly bigger. Therer are a host of unknown factors which could affect the actual answer.

Cheers

SuzieSue

That is a very costly cat. I assume you can't move the cat flap to another door?

ef99

Hi,
thank for your replies. the boiler is a gloworm flexicom 30cx if that helps.
there arent really any other doors that are suitable for the catflap and aside from that we need the room to be a bit warmer anyway really as its freezing in winter - you can see your breath on a cold morning!
thanks for your help

diywhynot

I assume the chap who quoted for the rad considered site factors when quoting. A 30 kW combi should have no trouble coping with an extra rad. Get another quote for the insulation for comparison and check out any grants available @ EST.

Ruski

If someone quoted you 1.8k to put some celotex on your ceiling then board and skim it they didn't want the job - get someone else to price it.

HTH

Russ

tired_dad

Insulate ceiling 1.8k- wow. A few hundred quid would be more like it. What exactly were they planning to do

Ruski

A few hundred quid on materials TD... Don't expect something for nothing!! We all have to make a living

ef99

Thanks - I did think that seemed a bit steep! I've asked another guy to quote and I'll go from there. Thanks for the help

ian103

line the walls and ceiling with something like

http://www.planetinsulation.co.uk/ZKSK1760.php?gclid=CJ_I2MH66bICFQ_MtAodAlMARg

then get it skimmed, and then install radiator