Living-room Heating

iquit

I am considering get rid of a large radiator in living-room as it takes up space and is limiting furniture positioning. Room is 6.86m (22' 6") x 3.50m (11' 6"). I'd appreciate any advice on the following as alternative heating for a room this size. I am completely clueless
1. ThermaSkirt
2. Underfloor heating.
3. ThermaSkirt and underfloor heating.

The room has a gas fire that I'm also planning to replace with a built in fireplace (for aesthetic reasons and space as it has a large mantel and surround).

Robin9

We had a similar discussion when we came to decorate our living-room. Our house may be different to yours - it's upside down with the living-room on the 1st floor and gains from heat rising from radiators downstairs.)

Changing the focal point wall mounted gas fire we decided was unnecessary. It was used rarely and when we removed it it opened up a lot of useful wall space.

We now only have a single double radiator. We are thinking of replacing this with a vertical type. Does anyone have any thoughts as to whether these are a good option ?

FreeBear

What type of construction is your existing floor ?


UFH really needs a very well insulated slab and ideally, should be installed when the slab is laid. Retrofitting will increase the floor hight and may prove to be disappointing.


Smiths do a range of forced air heating systems that may provide a better solution - I have one of their plinth heaters in the kitchen and find it works quite well. Take a look at their range - https://smithsep.co.uk/products/

Fire_Fox

Wouldn't furniture prevent some of the heat radiated from the Thermaskirt moving into the centre of the room? Can all your furniture be sited close to heated skirting?

There are various websites where you can input details of the room and it estimates the heat required. Some calculators are very basic (volume of room), others also consider construction and insulation (outside walls/ type of windows etc).

HTH!

EssexExile

I've considered ThermaSkirt or similar on a few occasions but each time I've put the room details into their calculator & I'm told I can't fit enough in to heat the room.

Underfloor heating in one room doesn't really work does it? It's used differently to radiators, lower temperature water, longer heat up times, etc.

AJGuy

I don’t know what type of style your home is but friends of ours had the same problem and replaced the normal radiators with the tall types you find in bathrooms, it’s looks really modern so probably would not suit a more period home but they kick out quite a bit of heat.

Underfloor heating works best without carpets and the lower temperatures of the CH may cause other rooms with radiators to become cold.

iquit

Thank you for your responses. House was built 10 years ago, carpets in living room unfortunately I have no idea of type of floor construction. I would prefer wood floors and also looking into that. The offending radiator in awkward position because room has two doors. My corner sofa now sitting 10cm into room so as to be away from the radiator = wasted space. Gas fire mantle and base protrude about 15cm to 20cm into room = more wasted space. I'm not familiar with air heating systems, will take a look. I've only just read about ThermaSkirt, not sure if furniture positioning affects heating efficiency. I don't know if having underfloor heating in has impact on rest of the house. Maybe changing to the upright type of radiator would be the best solution. I will try the heating estimate websites and see how my room fairs.

PS Reading this back and floored by just how little I could answer for the responders :o

beaker141

I've got a very similar sized living room, about 3.6m by 6m, and I've put Thermaskirt in that 1 room.

I've mixed views on it, I've currently go the feed and return the wrong way up, I doubt that makes much difference.

I do have 2 circuits from it, 1 really long run, and 1 run of just 3m. I'm not convinced the long run heats up quick enough for me and needs some careful radiator balancing and lockshield valves arranging.

I installed an electric thermostat - but I've not connected it up yet, its never felt over hot in the room.

We've only had a mild winter, there were 1 or 2 times where I wanted the room a bit warmer, but other than that its been comfortable.

It was easy enough to diy install - as is usual with my work though a few bits to finish off and tidy up.

AJGuy

Air heat delivery is the fastest way to heat a room however as soon you switch it off the temperature will drop quickly, don’t bother with the electric ones either as this will burn a hole through your pocket and should not be left unattended, Instead go for the ones which are plumbed into the central heating.

It’s recommended that carpet and UFH is avoided however advancements in the insulation boards have come along way so this may be a possible solution but not a cheap one.

I would start by working out the recommended BTU for the room and see what is the most effective both in cost and installation.

In our living room we have a 2m type 22 radiator that is great for background heat but we also use a 4.5kw catalytic gas stove (no flue) that is 99% efficient to get the temperature higher. We also find the living room is the first room to go cold so this stove irons them fluctuations out without needing to put the heating on for the rest of the house.

You could also move the main thermostat into the living room and use the TRV’s (if fitted) in the rest of the house to balance the heat. This will obviously not solve your space issues but providing you have a wireless thermostat and TRVs is a good short term solution.

Good luck!

ed110220

As the room is pretty big why not just fit a long, low double radiator behind the sofa and pull the sofa out a few cm? I took down the wall between our living room and dining room resulting in a space roughly that size. We lost a radiator with the demolished wall, so I replaced the living room radiator with a 2400 x 500mm (off the top of my head) double radiator. Sofa is in front of it and it's low enough not to be seen and disrupt the room. Only needs a small gap behind to give out enough heat to warm the room.

Fire_Fox

iquit wrote: »

Thank you for your responses.

... My corner sofa now sitting 10cm into room so as to be away from the radiator = wasted space.

...Maybe changing to the upright type of radiator would be the best solution. I will try the heating estimate websites and see how my room fairs.

PS Reading this back and floored by just how little I could answer for the responders :o

Have you considered a different sofa (or two)? Corner units can be very restrictive in regular living rooms: IMO they best suit large open plan living areas.

Different seating with or without a different radiator (vertical) would be less disruptive and possibly cheaper than underfloor heating or heated skirting.