conservatory heating

josephine36

I am a regular browser of this site, but have only posted once before - I would however really value some advice.....

We are in the middle of having a conservatory built and have yet to finally decide on a heating source (I understand that we cant run a radiator off the CH system as this would mean that we would then need planning permission).

We are now looking at either an oil filled radiator or a calor gas portable heater. Can anyone advise on running costs, warmth, value for money, etc please, as I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

Many thanks,

Jo x

economiser

I have known cases where people have built their conservatory without heating and then installed a radiator at a later date. They shouldn't do this of course but then not everyone understands the building regulations.

You may find you get sufficient heat for much of the time by leaving the door(s) open from the house and you could supplement this with an wall mounted electric heater when necessary. I am not sure of the comparative costs of electricity against calor gas but I think I would opt for electricity. Calor gas heaters are bulky, you have to keep changing the gas cylinder and they generate a lot of moisture and hence you could well end up with condensation problems.

The_Biff

Also with calor gas, you are supposed to leave a window open for ventilation (otherwise carbon monoxide will form). Thisd somewhat defeats the object.

bargainaddict

We opted for a portable oil filled radiator last winter in our new conservatory. It is quite large and on wheels. It is brilliant. Does the job and always handy for extra drying space for clothes! I personally find the calor gas heaters give off a smell I don't like and as we have cat, dog and regular visits from our small goddaughter, I worry about them coming into contact with the gas heater. We were given the oil filled radiator (very grateful) but if we were to buy one I would opt for one with a timer so it came on in the morning. We eat in the conservatory so it needs warming at those times. The rest of the time, unless its really cold, we leave the door from the kitchen open and allow the heat to circulate.

I hope you really enjoy your new conservatory. I wouldn't be without mine now.

josephine36

Thank you so much for the advice. I think the oil filled radiator will be the option we go for.

Jo x

ukbill69

Id suggest getting some blinds to. This can save heat in winter and get rid of heat in summer. I used http://www.expertblinds.co.uk/

plumb1_2

I have fitted loads of Rads in conservatory,s ,not one customer has ever had a problem with planing,as its not req.

bargainaddict

We were told we had to have planning permission for a radiator when we had our conservatory built. We even checked with the council. Something to do with being a permanent structure if there is permanent heating! Do different councils have different rules?

deanos

If it has a radiator then its classed as a extention to the house and has to have planning permission and comply with building regulations the same applies if you say remove the patio door between the conservatory and house we were told this as we asked the local planning office about our conservatory we are having.

Roman_Camel

Have you considered underfloor heating?

When we had our Conservatory built I intended to have it but was harried by the builders to lay the floor.I now really regret it as my ma-in-law has had a Conservatory and opted for underfloor heating (electric) and it is brilliant.I wanted to run it off the central heating (apparently it involves threading a plastic tube around a metal sub-frame) then once you have connected it all up to your central heating and ascertained it works then you can lay the concrete on top.I am not completely sure of the workings but thats the basic outline of it.I think you can use either via your central heating (cheaper to run) or electric.

I am now looking at an oil filled radiator as an alternative option.

economiser

If you do consider blinds beware of the "pleated" variety for the roof. We had to replace ours with rollers because the pleats fill up with dead insects and are and absolute pain to keep clean.

Any form of fixed heating requires planning permission but I have seen many examples of retro fitting of heaters. Its all a bit daft as you can buy an electric convector which comes with both feet and wall fixings. If you use the feet you don't need planning but if you use the wall fixings you do!