Replacing Radiators and Keeping Boiler

FreeBear

Jeepers_Creepers said: You can always try turning off the rad the connie is extended from (and other rads too if needed), to force more flow through it - see if it becomes fully hot then.

If the connie rad is at the end of a long run of 15mm pipe, the water flow could well be restricted - Sis has this problem with a radiator in her extension that never gets hot.

paperclap

Thanks both! Can always reply on you to have solid responses  

Contacted my plasterer yesterday actually, for a rough quote to plaster the walls in both bedrooms, living room and hallway. £700. Think we'll end up doing that, rather than using lining paper. In which case, think we'll need to go through an "uncomfortable" period of not having any central heating for a week or so, while we have the walls plastered... as the new radiators will have different brackets, no doubt.

We've currently got wood fibre underlay with laminate. Has planned on replacing with gold underlay (have heard it's a little more thermally efficient) and new laminate. 

I did think it would be odd to have such a big build-up of sludge in just one radiator (especially as it's much newer, if that makes any difference!). Now you've both mentioned it, I'm thinking it is probably a case of lesser flow. We usually have the heating on for two hours at a time (we're always frugal!), and it's then when it seemed it wasn't as hot. Yesterday, we had it on for three hours, and it got hot.

We actually do have a plinth heater in our kitchen!  Great at kicking out instant heat. Just wasn't sure if it was all that safe. It has a natural tendency to pull in dust (with the air), so ends up smelling a little when you next turn it on. It also has two settings (1kWh and 2kWh), so wasn't sure if it was safe to use over extended periods of time (can't be good for the electrical circuit, can it?).

Our old radiators don't have thermostatic valves, so I'm not sure we can isolate / turn them off... can we? Or, is it a simple case of removing the white caps, grabbing some pliers, and twisting the flat bit clockwise?

FreeBear

laurencewhymark said: We actually do have a plinth heater in our kitchen!  Great at kicking out instant heat. Just wasn't sure if it was all that safe. It has a natural tendency to pull in dust (with the air), so ends up smelling a little when you next turn it on. It also has two settings (1kWh and 2kWh), so wasn't sure if it was safe to use over extended periods of time (can't be good for the electrical circuit, can it?).

Our old radiators don't have thermostatic valves, so I'm not sure we can isolate / turn them off... can we? Or, is it a simple case of removing the white caps, grabbing some pliers, and twisting the flat bit clockwise?

Count the turns as you turn the valves off. Get it wrong when opening them up again, and you'll throw off the balancing of the system.

As for your plinth heater - That sounds like an all electric one.

Mine is plumbed in to the CH system and there are no smells when the fan kicks in.