Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
Not put the heating on yet. But have been closing all window vents over the last few days.
i think Ive found them all now.
i think Ive found them all now.
Central Heating - on yet?
- Thread starter Proto
- Start date
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mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Yes, indeed, but Great British Central Heating normally has both a timer and a thermostat in conflict with each other controlling tiny radiators that are heated so hot that they glow, which prevents the heating source running efficiently (thereby giving the energy companies lots of income, which made the turnover look good when they were nationalised and attractive to investors when they were privatised) and maximises the stress on the heating system (thereby giving the plumbers who usually installed them lots of work fixing things), plus generates a never-ending stream of whinges about how much it costs and people finding the same building too hot and too cold in the same day, and an obsession with the weather and especially whether any hot and cold times of day will line up with when "the heating's on".
If more people used modern computer-controlled heating systems with sensible algorithms, efficient heat emitters and lots of monitoring, then some non-cycling Brits may run out of things to talk about before the end of winter, so it serves a social function(!)
It's somewhat easier for us European scum who have no such hang-ups about learning what works from abroad. The heating control is set to the same program as usual and it hasn't been for months, but the house has been slowly cooling over the last week and it looks from the long-range forecasts like it might start heating this week or almost certainly next.
New builds are now so efficient, you barely need any heating on
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
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.
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..
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
Marie Attoinette Fan
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.
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
Last edited:
wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
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
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.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
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
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.
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
wiggydiggy
Legendary Member
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
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.
