Is it a major undertaking to put in a larger capacity radiator?

[Earlybird]

DD's room is always the coldest in the flat, and I'm fairly sure that the radiator is inadequate for the room. Can anyone give me a general idea of how big a job it is - in terms of expense and labour - to replace the existing radiator with a bigger one? Who would do this sort of job - a plumber?

I'm hopeless at practical house knowledge stuff. Thanks for info....

Yep, a plumber or heating engineer. IME it might mean lifting the carpet and floorboards to make new holes for the pipes as the rad would be probably be wider, although maybe they could use a double one the same size? You would need to find out if the boiler can fire as many rads as you have inc. a bigger one in dd's room. No idea about cost though - our rads came in at about £60 each but we got them at cost.

Have you tried thicker curtains etc?

Thanks for info. Yes, have tried easier solutions without success. But, now that it is cold again, I'm reminded of the problem and think increasing the capacity is the way to go.

Whatever you do, make sure you get someone reputable, and get three quotes, in writing.

OK, will do. I'm in central London - do you know any companies that you'd recommend?

I had thi sproblema nd bough a slimline electric radiator which costs very little to run and can be left on the whole time-really takes the chiil off very well and only cost about £20.

Oh interesting to know. So it plugs in? Where did you buy it?

Can't remember but have done a uick web search for you...may find something here

Good luck!

Dh's uncle is in East London but I think he does mostly contract work now (offices etc.) Don't knoow anyone in Central London.

I think my mum had one of those electric rad things. So long as dd is old enough to be trusted with one it'd be worth a try, although I'm surprised they're cheap to run.

I think the main cost is not the new rad as they are relatively cheap but the time charge from the plumber. In order to replace ours the plumber had to drain the system of water and then refill it and repressurise (dont know how to spell this)the system which took a long time.

Would a plug in be safe in dd's room? She's almost 6, so imagine would be OK...??

What is she like with other plugs? I leave a fan in our dd1's room when she has a temp or it's hot and she's four.

You'd also need to watch how hot it gets, and make sure she understands about water and electricity not mixing (Fireman Sam is good for this!)