dual fuel towel radiator questions

[n99]

Hi

I am not a plumber nor experienced diyer and have some questions about ladder dual fuel radiators. The WWW seems to be a bit lacking..

1) I was wondering how you choose your element wattage? Is it based on rad height vs element length or rad wattage vs element wattage?

2) there is discussion about how to switch between gch and electric use that tells you to switch off flow for electric and switch on for gch.

There seems to contention between advice what to do with the return valve ranging from keeping it full or slightly open to relieve pressure build up. One site even said just open the bleed valve slightly to relieve pressure instead.

I was wondering what you would advise here and is the advice the same for a rad fitted with a TRV and lock shield?

3) what are the practical and safety implications of not doing the switch correctly resulting in the following scenarios?

a. If you run the element with the flow open and the gch isn't on.

B. If you run the element with the flow open and the gch is on

C. If you run the gch having forgot to open the flow?

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

N

 

[Ermintrude]

A. Massive electric bill as you heat rest of house by convection in pipes.

B. pointless and gas is cheaper than water but rad would heat faster.?

C.rad won't heat up unless leccky is on

 

[n99]

A. Massive electric bill as you heat rest of house by convection in pipes.

B. pointless and gas is cheaper than water but rad would heat faster.?

C.rad won't heat up unless leccky is on

Okay. Thanks. I think the important thing here is that there is no safety implications, esp with C.

If I shut off the flow and leave the return open for running the element as advised by manufacturer, am I still not heating up the house through convection, but now only
In one direction?

 

[n99]

C.rad won't heat up unless leccky is on

Again . not practical bit convection from the gch would eat up the towel rad through the return...?
That point might be a bit pedantic if correct but I'm just trying to gain some basic knowledge...ta

 

[Ermintrude]

Not really

 

[kay-jay]

When you are using the elements to warm towels in summer close both valves then unscrew the vent plug and syphon a bit of water out then replace the plug. This will give you room for expansion of the water as it heats.