Is only heating one radiator from boiler OK?

[ifonly4]

DD is a student in a flat with high ceilings, old sash windows and in north. Other students do not want heating on. She's freezing and they've all got a respiratory illness for third time since September.

She's wondering about switching off all radiators but hers and putting heating on. They have a smart meter, so she can see roughly how much extra it's costing and she'll pay that. I've pointed out one of the others might be an open radiator, ie can't be turned off - obviously she can't do anything about that one if it's the case.

It might cause an airlock. I've been told we need to have at least 2 radiators fully open when our heating is on. Microbore system.

She could try an electric throw, and also an oodie … I have been really warm in mine and haven’t needed the central heating so far.

Its just so expensive, I can see why the other students don’t want it on.

Can she buy a plug in radiator and an energy monitor plug and pay what it uses that way

We tried that recently because our biggest radiator is weirdly difficult and doesn’t fully warm up if all the others are on - if only a few are on it will warm up fully and then we can turn the rest on. Anyway if just it on its own the boiler started making an awful noise as if it was about to break whereas if more like 3 are on it doesn’t make the horrible noise.

Can’t she just get an electric heater for her room only?

I'd say a small oil filled electric heater or similar for her room would be less hassle if you/she can afford to get one. Better than risk being billed by the landlord for buggering up the central heating.

They should all keep an eye out for damp and mould growth though if they aren't heating the house.

Threr was a recent article about this on Which magazine. It said that she'd still be heating the pipes all around the house, so it's a very inefficient way of heating one room.

Thanks for your replies. She's going to have a final chat with them tonight before making a decision.