Using central heating for only one radiator?

[jeffes]

Basically at the moment we dont want to heat the whole house, which includes six radiators, but only want to heat one small sized 800 x 600 radiator in one room, as well as a gas fire in another room.

Now instead of plugging in a 1kw electric oil filled radiator, is it better, in terms of cost wise, to switch all the other radiators off with the thermostatic valves and leave one on?

I understand the water would not have to flow through all the other radiators, im assuming it will just pass through the bottom, am i right? But would it be a bit of a wastage of heat considering that the water has to flow through all the pipes?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

no the water will not just pass through the bottom of the radiators with the trvs off. i would turn the trvs down to 1 so that in theory they can still come on in extremely cold weather but for the purpose you want they will be off for all intents and purposes. although the wasted energy used to heat one radiator could be saved by using the electric heater.