Central Heating - on yet?

[Drago]

New builds are now so efficient, you barely need any heating on

So efficient I've had solar film fitted to the sarf facing windows, otherwise its unbearable in the summer without the AC.

 

[tyred]

So efficient I've had solar film fitted to the sarf facing windows, otherwise its unbearable in the summer without the AC.

Must admit I was given thought to doing that on my patio doors that really get the sun and made my flat like an oven at times over the summer.

 

[wafter]

Noticed condensation on the inside of the kitchen / living room / bedroom windows post-shower for the first time yesterday.

Still airing the flat when I get back but the duration the windows are open is ever-dwindling.

Failed spectacularly to sort the leaking boiler over the summer so might just try to push through the winter with it as-is; not sure if the increased load of the heating will exacerbate the situation.

Probably also ought to give it a test soon as it's not been on at all since I moved in, the owners did have it set low before that although the place is pretty efficient so it probably wasn't on much during the spring.

Some curtains in the living room would probably help too; although this would require effort and choices; neither of which I'm at all adept at..

 

[Gunk]

Noticed condensation on the inside of the kitchen / living room / bedroom windows post-shower for the first time yesterday.

Still airing the flat when I get back but the duration the windows are open is ever-dwindling.

Failed spectacularly to sort the leaking boiler over the summer so might just try to push through the winter with it as-is; not sure if the increased load of the heating will exacerbate the situation.

Probably also ought to give it a test soon as it's not been on at all since I moved in, the owners did have it set low before that although the place is pretty efficient so it probably wasn't on much during the spring.

Some curtains in the living room would probably help too; although this would require effort and choices; neither of which I'm at all adept at..

Heating the flat will definitely help the situation, no heating, high humidity = condensation and black spot mould. Also make sure if your bathroom has a window you always open it when having a shower as extractors never seem to work that well. If the flat is not particularly well ventilated then definitely consider investing in a decent dehumidifier, they really do make a difference.

 

[HLaB]

Technically mine is never off but the internal thermostat is set to something like 10deg and its still 22deg in here. I'm hoping it stays mild a bit longer. Whilst my I feet are like blocks of ice they are comfortably so whilst I'm trying to get light on my feet to regrow nerves damaged by chemo and I'm getting away with wearing no socks.

 

[Jameshow]

Just up the heating on for a couple of hours whilst daughter was here.
Problem is I have two controllers one remote tone and the other on the boiler not sure which has priority.

I dot trust the remote one either the batteries are going or it's on its way out!

 

[wafter]

Heating the flat will definitely help the situation, no heating, high humidity = condensation and black spot mould. Also make sure if your bathroom has a window you always open it when having a shower as extractors never seem to work that well. If the flat is not particularly well ventilated then definitely consider investing in a decent dehumidifier, they really do make a difference.

Thanks - the condensation comment was more of an observation than a complaint.

I have found the odd bit of mould in the bathroom but this was because I'd got out of the habit of leaving the extractor fan on (little bit on the ceiling) or just not staying on top of cleaning the areas around the bath where water accumulates from the shower. Now everything gets mercilessly hosed with vinegar weekly it's no longer an issue - at least for now.

The bathroom has no windows but the fan seems pretty good and all walls are internal so it doesn't see a huge temperature differential. Since I live alone I also tend to shower with the door open, allowing some moist air into the rest of the living area which (mould aside) is welcome as my skin's constantly dry and I struggle especially in the winter so keeping the humidity at a reasonable level is preferable.

Will certainly look into a dehumidifier it mould becomes a problem - although hopefully this won't be the case



In other news I fired the heating up this morning just as a test - results were good; banged that 'stat up to 25 to be sure it'd come on (it clicking in at around 20 degrees) and all the rads heated up rapidly / evenly upon a quick cursory inspection. Not that it was cold to begin with but it only took a few minutes for the flat to become uncomfortably warm - necessitating the opening of windows.. so that bodes well for the colder months.

I'd like to bleed the rads (a source I found suggested this was relevant to the leaking boiler issue although I can't see how) however only the heated towel rail in the bathroom actually has an obvious bleed valve; the rest appear blanked or perhaps need to have the whole plug turned to open the system up to atmospheric.

Any thoughts on this would be welcome

 

[raleighnut]

Thanks - the condensation comment was more of an observation than a complaint.

I have found the odd bit of mould in the bathroom but this was because I'd got out of the habit of leaving the extractor fan on (little bit on the ceiling) or just not staying on top of cleaning the areas around the bath where water accumulates from the shower. Now everything gets mercilessly hosed with vinegar weekly it's no longer an issue - at least for now.

The bathroom has no windows but the fan seems pretty good and all walls are internal so it doesn't see a huge temperature differential. Since I live alone I also tend to shower with the door open, allowing some moist air into the rest of the living area which (mould aside) is welcome as my skin's constantly dry and I struggle especially in the winter so keeping the humidity at a reasonable level is preferable.

Will certainly look into a dehumidifier it mould becomes a problem - although hopefully this won't be the case



In other news I fired the heating up this morning just as a test - results were good; banged that 'stat up to 25 to be sure it'd come on (it clicking in at around 20 degrees) and all the rads heated up rapidly / evenly upon a quick cursory inspection. Not that it was cold to begin with but it only took a few minutes for the flat to become uncomfortably warm - necessitating the opening of windows.. so that bodes well for the colder months.

I'd like to bleed the rads (a source I found suggested this was relevant to the leaking boiler issue although I can't see how) however only the heated towel rail in the bathroom actually has an obvious bleed valve; the rest appear blanked or perhaps need to have the whole plug turned to open the system up to atmospheric.

Any thoughts on this would be welcome

It's only really 'open'* systems that need bleeding, modern 'pressurised' systems don't need it apart from initial commisioning of a new boiler or radiator.

* the old type with an expansion tank in the attic/airing cupboard

 

[palinurus]

Had a new boiler last year so I no longer put the heating on as such, it comes on when the indoor temperature drops below 19 during the day or around 15 at night. It has occasionally come on this month- I can check on the app! (The app that for some reason doesn't work when I'm at home but if i'm in Amsterdam or somewhere seems to work just fine- I'm at work so of course it's working now). Heating came on six times this month, fairly briefly.

 

[wafter]

Have you had the boiler serviced? You've recently bought the place haven't you?

I ask as in my house the boiler gave up about 4 months after moving in, during a very cold spell in Dec. I was able to get a new one fitted at short notice but I feel it might have been spotted earlier if I had it serviced.

Thanks and no - it absolutely needs looking at for the leak but as usual I'm paralised by indecision and mistrust of tradesmen.... did seek a recommendation off a mate but it turned out the guy he was initially happy with ended up screwing him so that's done nowt for my confidence..

It's only really 'open'* systems that need bleeding, modern 'pressurised' systems don't need it apart from initial commisioning of a new boiler or radiator.

* the old type with an expansion tank in the attic/airing cupboard

Cheers - didn't know that. There are no obvious issues that suggest it requires bleeding (other than the spurious suggestion that it would help with the leak) so perhaps I'll leave it alone

 

[Dan Lotus]

I'm still no closer to understanding why people are looking to over ride a thermostat on a seemingly randomly chosen date, I suspect I never will.



I had a quick check on my heating for last September, and it must have been colder that this one, as the heating kicked in for a few hours only, over a few days in September, where as so far this month, nothing at all, and the forecast would suggest it will likely be October before it gets lower than the 19.6c I have the thermostat set at.

If it's to save money, turn the thermostat down, otherwise you'll be uncomfortably cold for a period of time, until on an arbitrary date the heating gets switched on.
As I see it - if you are switching on the heating late it will be:
April > September (Comfortable - no heating on, but no need)
October > November (Heating rigidly off, house cold, multiple layers required)
December > March (Heating on, comfortable again)

I'm surprised people have the capacity/desire to think about heating, I've got so much going on (As I suspect have most working people with a family) with work, children, taxi duties, and still trying to keep remotely fit, that I won't willingly give over some thinking time to the heating - let the thermostat take the load and do what it is there for

Is it some kind of societal compulsion?

 

[wafter]

Try starting here: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

Now there's no guarantee of course that whoever you choose is still not an idiot, bit thats probably the safest place to start.

It might not be the cheapest but I decided to get a British Gas service plan in place, costs around £20 p/month.

Thanks - really appreciate that and will take a look!

As it happens the old dear has some sort of universal-type cover for the house from British Gas - not just the boiler and it's a lot more money. Tbh I've not been hugely impressed as they've wrecked a few things and are constantly trying to upsell her a new boiler because parts "aren't available any more" (from their suppliers)... while the odd rogue employee has told her to crack on with it for as long as possible..

Probably less to go wrong with straight service contract mind

 

[SpokeyDokey]

S E Lakes - ours has been on all day today maintaining a resolutely steady 21°C.

Bliss.

 

[Gunk]

Thanks and no - it absolutely needs looking at for the leak but as usual I'm paralised by indecision and mistrust of tradesmen.... did seek a recommendation off a mate but it turned out the guy he was initially happy with ended up screwing him so that's done nowt for my confidence..



Cheers - didn't know that. There are no obvious issues that suggest it requires bleeding (other than the spurious suggestion that it would help with the leak) so perhaps I'll leave it alone

DM me if you want me to recommend a decent heating engineer

 

[presta]