I think my central heating isn't up to it

Bendo

Any decent plumber will be able to change a rad without draining.

Gerry1

You can change a radiator without draining the system by using a freezing spray on the pipes on each side of it.

tim_p

Not so easy if the pipes need adjusting to account for a wider radiator. Single panel ones were usually very close to the wall, not so with modern type21/22. 

mmmmikey

FlorayG said:

mmmmikey said:

Another thought is that you don't have to upgrade your central heating system in one go. You could start by putting bigger radiators in the rooms that need them most and turning down the radiators in other rooms if the boiler can't cope. Then you can change other radiators and/or the boiler as and when you can afford it.

This works out very expensive in labour though because I understand the system has to be drained to change even one radiator. I know the radiators themselves aren't expensive, it's the cost of the job

Not necessarily, as per above comments it's quite often possible to change a radiator without draining the entire system. And if you find a good local gas plumber you should be able to work out a sequence of work that ties in with your annual service so minimises the labour cost.

That said, I've no doubt the most cost effective option would be to have it all done in one go - my point is just that an option to consider is phasing the work which could allow you to get on with things now.

If you're planning to stay in the bungalow long term the end goal should probably be to replace both the windows/doors and central heating. What you do when really depends on your long term plans and financial situation.

One more thing to throw into the pot for consideration. If you are eligible for free solar panels that would help. Although they won't generate any useful energy when you need it most for heating, they will reduce your electricity bills in summer and generate a decent bit of income. So if you keep your monthly payment the same you could go into winter with a healthy credit that could be used for powering a fan heater. Probably only worth considering if you're eligible for the grant though, otherwise the money would be better spent on windows and/or upgrading your central heating.

FlorayG

mmmmikey said:

FlorayG said:

mmmmikey said:

Another thought is that you don't have to upgrade your central heating system in one go. You could start by putting bigger radiators in the rooms that need them most and turning down the radiators in other rooms if the boiler can't cope. Then you can change other radiators and/or the boiler as and when you can afford it.

This works out very expensive in labour though because I understand the system has to be drained to change even one radiator. I know the radiators themselves aren't expensive, it's the cost of the job

One more thing to throw into the pot for consideration. If you are eligible for free solar panels that would help. Although they won't generate any useful energy when you need it most for heating, they will reduce your electricity bills in summer and generate a decent bit of income. So if you keep your monthly payment the same you could go into winter with a healthy credit that could be used for powering a fan heater. Probably only worth considering if you're eligible for the grant though, otherwise the money would be better spent on windows and/or upgrading your central heating.

I've got solar panels and going into winter with a very healthy credit on my account - it's not that I can't afford to heat my house, I just want to find out how to make what I already have more efficient
thank you

FlorayG

tim_p said:

Not so easy if the pipes need adjusting to account for a wider radiator. Single panel ones were usually very close to the wall, not so with modern type21/22. 

Yes this is what I have been told - it's not just a case of swapping one radiator for another

pseudodox

Those windows are your biggest issue.  One wall of my living room is full width floor to ceiling glass panels/door opening onto a balcony.  It does face south south west so when the sun is out soaks up a lot of heat - in fact it is unbearable in a summer heatwave & I have to keep the curtains closed from 2pm onwards even with the door wide open.

I don't currently have heating on overnight but if I open the curtains as soon as I get up in the morning (8am) the room temperature drops one or two degrees within an hour.  So I leave them closed/part closed until later.  During the day I have them open and it is surprising on a cold day how the temp in the room rises even when the heating is not on, especially in the afternoon.  But as soon as the sun starts to set I close the curtains and when the heating comes on they keep a lot of heat in the room.

When your heating is on and the curtains have been closed for a while put your arm behind or try standing between them and the glass.  You'll realise how much heat even medium weight curtains can hold in.  So for a short term solution on a tight budget get some extra thick curtains or add thermal linings/fleece to the existing ones.  It WILL make a difference.

FlorayG

Ye it's warm enough in the evenings once the curtains are closed ( I have thermal ones), I'm aware that the windows are the cause. I don't want to sit in artificial light all day though and it's daytime when the sun isn't shining that it gets cold and the heating boiler fires constantly

pseudodox

Obviously I don't know your circumstances, lifestyle or possible health issues etc that mean you have to spend the majority of your time in this room & understand you want natural light.  I spend very little time in my living room as I always always out & about, working in my garage, in my small home office (easy to keep cosy) or in the kitchen preparing meals or batch cooking for freezer.

If you are WFH could you create a winter workspace in a smaller room that is easier to keep warm?

You have had a lot of suggestions from people here - but with a limited budget I can appreciate they do not solve your problem short term.  I don't see there are any further viable alternatives beyond wrap up warm & start that savings plan for future upgrading.  Fingers crossed for us all that winter is not too harsh.

bob2302

FlorayG said:

Ye it's warm enough in the evenings once the curtains are closed ( I have thermal ones), I'm aware that the windows are the cause. I don't want to sit in artificial light all day though and it's daytime when the sun isn't shining that it gets cold and the heating boiler fires constantly

This is why I suggested using a different room to work in during the day time. I have a desk in my smallest bedroom with an electric radiator under it. It's very cosy and one of the few cases where electric heating makes sense.