Oil filled radiator - advice needed please

jackieblack

Thanks everyone 

The radiator has arrived, so I’ll experiment with the settings to establish the best way to keep the room at a minimum of 16 degrees overnight. I suspect leaving on low will be the best option. 

Unfortunately the lead doesn’t quite reach far enough to allow it to go where I’d planned so, as it has to be plugged directly into the wall socket, I think I am going to have to rearrange the furniture first 🤦🏻‍♀️

Astria

jackieblack said:

Thanks everyone 

The radiator has arrived, so I’ll experiment with the settings to establish the best way to keep the room at a minimum of 16 degrees overnight. I suspect leaving on low will be the best option. 

Unfortunately the lead doesn’t quite reach far enough to allow it to go where I’d planned so, as it has to be plugged directly into the wall socket, I think I am going to have to rearrange the furniture first 🤦🏻‍♀️

What wattage is the radiator? If it's between 500W and 1kW, I wouldn't worry about plugging it into an extension lead, just make sure the extension lead is rated for at least 13A and don't plug anything else into it (best to get one of the single socket extension leads if possible). If it's 2kW or above I wouldn't use an extension lead.

jackieblack

It’s 1500w (I guess that’s when it’s on the highest setting?) 
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-analogue-oil-radiator/p5023342#product

Mister_G

I would suggest giving it its own brand new dedicated extension lead.  With time, a frequently plugged and unplugged socket on the lead (especially the cheaper ones) can wear and not make such a good contact.

andyrpsmith

I use a 2.5KW oil filled radiator for my lounge (also use coal/wood open fire). Just done some measurement tests on what the heater uses at three thermostat settings. The room is currently 8dec C with no heating as it has three outside walls. I normally have it on setting 3 out of 6. I always set it at 2.5KW
At setting 3 it turns on for 9.5 min (ave over an hour) and off for 11.7 min (on for 43% which gives 0.43 x 2.5KW = 1.075KW per hour x unit rate of 33.3p = 36p per hour = £4.32 for 12 hours = £149 per month inc standing charge).
At setting 3.5 on thermostat it turns on for 11.6 min and off for 8.7 min (on for 58%  which gives 0.58 x 2.5 = 1.45KW per hour = 48p per hour, £5.76 for 12hrs = £194 per month - 31 days inc std charge)
At setting 4 it turns on for 21 min and off for 6.1 min ( on for 70% which gives .7 x 2.5 = 58p per hour = £6.96 for 12 hours = £231 per month).
At max 2.5KW it would cost 2.5 x 0.333 = 83.25p per hour  for 12 hours =£9.99 = £325 per month.
Of course the time on vs time off will depend on the room temp and how much heat is lost from the room.

matelodave

Its OK to use an extension lead thats rated for 13a however do not use it when it's rolled up. Ideally get one thats just about long enough to do the job safely rather than a roll up one. 

They are pretty cheap for something that's around 2 metres long have a shuftie here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/2-Metre-Extension-Lead/s?k=2+Metre+Extension+Lead