Radiator Question

[Earlybird]

DD's bedroom is noticeably colder than the rest of the flat, so I think the radiator there is inadequate. Is it straightforward to replace/enlarge the radiator in her room, and if so, how would I go about having this done? Any guesses on cost involved? Or would it be easier/cheaper to simply get a supplemental heater that plugs into the wall socket?

It's particularly an issue on these cold nights, and I've taken to leaving the heating on all night so it doesn't get too chilly in her room. Any thoughts/suggestions?

a small fan heater from argos would do just as well. we had one and it warmed a chilly room up very quickly

To replace a small single to a double one is about £100 so bit more for longer radiator I woudl guess.

is it getting hot all over? i have a problem with my bathroom rad, and have to bleed it most weeks as it doesnt heat up. always loads of air in it.

I wouldn't have thought a plumber would charge too much for replacing a radiator. I think prices for them start at about £30.

It is possible to diy but i chickened out and got a plumber in!! But we also had other work done, so not sure on what the costs were for just the radiator.

oops posts crossed!

Might seem like a strange quesiton - but how many 'outside' walls does the room have compared with others?

Is it already a double radiator?
If not just using the existing pipes and uping the size should work

google "warmfront" (cant remeber address)there are a government run company who provide free help and upgrades to those of us with little ones or over a certain age..had both this and my last house done and mams just had hers done too

It's a short, single radiator which is heating all over, so doesn't need to be bled. Her room has one "outside" wall, which is consistent with the layout of the rest of the flat.

Would a fan heater from Argos (or wherever) have to be on all night? Wouldn't that make the electricy bill increase dramatically? Can a fan heater be set to click on when temps drop to a certain level?

DD kicks the covers off at night when she turns over, and I don't like the idea of her being cold...though it doesn't seem to wake her up.

no a fan heater would just go on for a period of time - say 10 mins

A convector heat would have a thermostat. Be quieter than a fan heater too.

If you double the radiator that should help.

The plumber doesn't need to move any pipes (if you but a new rad the same size - just wider)

It could even be done DIY (if you're brave)

KatieMac - don't think I'm brave enough to attempt it on my own. Would/could the plumber supply the radiator, or is it up to me to locate one? Where do you buy a radiator? Sorry if that sounds dim, but I'm not from this country.....

B&Q sell them - so I'd check the price before asking a plumber. Then you'll know how much the labour will be. A rad should cost less than £100 (prob much less)
But it would be a parmanent cure. Also modern rads are more economic than older ones.

Thanks for the advice/suggestions.

BTW - an oil filled radiator (from somewher like argos) is normally on a timer and could be a temp solution

One of our bedrooms is mostly above the entrance vestibule, which is unheated; the radiator is technically the right size (they do complicated sums to establish cubic metres or something) but the room usually feels cold anyway, or at least it does when the wind is that side. However when it's the other side it's fine - if it had a bigger radiator it would be too hot then.

I think I would try a small fan/convector heater first, Earlybird, for a boost at the coldest times, and see if that does the trick. Something like this takes up hardly any space. You can often find them in pretty colours too. Also useful if you have central heating probs any time!