Conservatory radiator

[Max Tout]

I need to fit a new radiator into a well insulated conservatory which is 5m x 5m overall size.

The max size of the radiator could be 70cm H x 220cm W.

I need a good quality standard white finish radiator (not a ‘designer’ type) and would prefer a larger single panel rather than double panel type; ......however, would a single panel be adequate given the size of the conservatory?

Anyone recommend a good quality radiator and supplier please?

........I’m not looking for a ‘budget’ radiator ; cost is not an issue as it’s just a one-off so I don’t mind paying a bit extra for a decent product.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Dotty]

You need to have it separately zoned to comply with building regs, never mind the size and look of the thing!

 

[Max Tout]

Thanks for the reply.
What does separately zoned mean?........the conservatory isn't new ...it's been in position for over 20 years.

 

[townfanjon]

I think i have read this right max size 700 h x 220 wide, in a word mate , it has nt a hope in hell of warming it. If its been there for 20 years how has it been heated up till now ?

 

[lame plumber]

bit of a beggar screwing it to the blessed conservatory windows though

 

[Max Tout]

I think i have read this right max size 700 h x 220 wide, in a word mate , it has nt a hope in hell of warming it. If its been there for 20 years how has it been heated up till now ?

It had a balanced flue gas fire but that has been taken out and the hole bricked up/plastered etc. been using an electric convector radiator but incredibly expensive to run.

Would a double panel radiator of the above size not be adequate? i.e. 12/13k BTU.

I've seen a couple of matrix calculators that indicate that would be adequate given the construction of the conservatory. It's been revamped recently with latest k-glass double glazed roof and , windows etc and the internal walls rebuilt (floor to roof-line) with the cavity gap insulated properly. New doors also.

 

[Max Tout]

bit of a beggar screwing it to the blessed conservatory windows though

Nice one!:smile5:.....it's more of an 'Orangery' really, rather than the old style all-glass cconservatory.

 

[AWheating]

fit a 7kw multifuel stove.

 

[tamz]

A 700 x 2000K3 About 6kw. Should be good for the tomatoes

 

[chris watkins]

A 700 x 2000K3 About 6kw. Should be good for the tomatoes

We measure rads in millimetres not centimetres Max & the K3 is a treble panel.

Are you looking to use it as living area or just for frost free food production as Tamz suggests ?

 

[SimonG]

Heat pump, will be warm in winter and cool in summer.

 

[Max Tout]

We measure rads in millimetres not centimetres Max & the K3 is a treble panel.

Are you looking to use it as living area or just for frost free food production as Tamz suggests ?

It is used as a living area and has been for 20+ years.

It's not used for food 'production', .....but it is used for food 'consumption'.

P.S. coincidentally, that does include tomatoes;....... and all manner of fruit/veg.

 

[chris watkins]

It is used as a living area and has been for 20+ years.

It's not used for food 'production', .....but it is used for food 'consumption'.

P.S. coincidentally, that does include tomatoes;....... and all manner of fruit/veg.

Sitting around in a glass box will require a large amount of heat (rad output) to keep it at a comfortable 21deg C.
It might be better to just put in the largest you can fit / afford and except that the room temp when it is cold outside will not be as high as it will in the other rooms. You could just boost it with a fan heater on the odd time it is required.

You asked what zoning is (as required by Building Regs & it doesn't matter that its been up for 20years), well as you are altering the system to install a large heat source out there which if just hooked onto the system would add dramatically to the daily running cost. Why not have an automatic control valve installed so that you can choose to have this area heated only when you are going to use the room, saving lots of heat, carbon & of course money.

Does that sound like a good idea, Yes ?, Thats why it is a requirement of the Part L 1b Building Regs.

 

[Max Tout]

Sitting around in a glass box will require a large amount of heat (rad output) to keep it at a comfortable 21deg C.
It might be better to just put in the largest you can fit / afford and except that the room temp when it is cold outside will not be as high as it will in the other rooms. You could just boost it with a fan heater on the odd time it is required.

You asked what zoning is (as required by Building Regs & it doesn't matter that its been up for 20years), well as you are altering the system to install a large heat source out there which if just hooked onto the system would add dramatically to the daily running cost. Why not have an automatic control valve installed so that you can choose to have this area heated only when you are going to use the room, saving lots of heat, carbon & of course money.

Does that sound like a good idea, Yes ?, Thats why it is a requirement of the Part L 1b Building Regs.

Chris;....Many thanks for the very helpful reply my friend,
As I said it’s not really like an old style glass-box conservatory.
It’s more what’s called an ‘Orangery’ style.
It has full brick/breezeblock walls (up to the roof-line) with regulation cavity insulation. The foundations and brickwork/floor meet the requirements of ANY home extension.......not just a conservatory.
It's been revamped recently with latest k-glass double glazed roof and ditto windows/doors etc ;......but it’s a big area and electric heating is very expensive.

How would the control valve be connected?

In an ideal world I would like the conservatory to have the ability to be heated independently if the rest of the house is ‘switched off’ so to speak.....is that possible?

 

[chris watkins]

Yes all is possible, it will be a separate zone on your existing heating system with its own call for heat but this is where it all gets too complicated to do on hear someone needs to have a look on site at your existing system both controls & pipework.
They could also help you with a proper heat loss calculation to allow the heat emitter to be sized correctly.

Good luck

Post your area in the plumber wanted forum someone good on here might be able to help.