Extra heaters in most rooms on house viewing

34 replies

ShiraShira · 31/01/2026 02:39

We viewed a house last week that we really like. We did notice that almost every room had a plug in portable heater of some kind. They weren’t switched on though. The house has central heating and lots of new looking radiators, the central heating was on and the house felt lovely and warm while we were there. But my husband is worried that the portable heaters being there is a bad sign, that there must be something wrong with the boiler, or the house has got damp or something . We were told that the owners don’t live there full time.

OP posts:

Treacling · 01/02/2026 06:40

It may be they only heat one room when no viewings occuring? Who was/is living there? If it’s a large house with an elderly single/couple occupying it may be they are trying to save money.

Cheddarallday · 01/02/2026 06:53

It is probably very poorly insulated and the moment the central heating comes off, the temperature probably plummets. Is it semi detached? That would be affecting it too.

I have had a similar experience and at one point had to have an oil radiator in each room as well as blasting the central heating all day long. I'd turn off the central heating and then it would plummet to 15 or 16 degrees and walls absolutely freezing within a couple of hours.

Original poster

ShiraShira · 01/02/2026 10:34

Tortephant · 31/01/2026 08:56

I would be concerned about this Op, it certainly suggests an issue of some sort.
if an old house it could be the pipes are too small as others have said. This could be the boiler was replaced and the spec doesn’t match the older pipes, or the radiators you say looked new may need to bigger pipes to work effectively. Are these radiators flat or nice old style ones? Again with small pipes and new radiators/boiler you need flat for maximum heat out put.

there is no logical reason to have freestanding heaters in every room. (Where these used to heat it before you viewed?)

My husband actually touched all of the portable heaters as we went round, and none of them felt warm! So they hadn’t all been on just before we arrived. Definitely going to ask about it though, and would get the system checked too. It’s an 1980s house.

OP posts:

Skybunnee · 01/02/2026 10:39

If the house isn’t lived in the heaters could be set to just above freezing to avoid getting frozen pipes.
we have a heater in a seldom used bathroom in cold weather for this reason.

KatiePricesKnickers · 01/02/2026 15:29

One heater, not suspicious. Many heaters, suspicious.

newornotnew · 01/02/2026 15:36

I agree with this, if it is an owner-occupier who is selling: If it was a reason regarding the property they’d have likely moved them before a viewing

Check with the vendors, and get the system checked before progressing with a purchase, but things that are visible during viewings are less of a worry than things that aren't visible!!

cantankerousoldcrone · 01/02/2026 16:31

I don't bother heating the whole house when I wfh, so have a heater in one room. Could be something like that.

Plmnki · 01/02/2026 21:33

BrendaThePoodle · 31/01/2026 03:49

I’d just ask the vendors why. If it was a reason regarding the property they’d have likely moved them before a viewing. We have electric heaters even though our boiler etc is fine because my grandma used to be here lots and she felt the cold terribly. (They’re in the loft now she’s gone. I keep thinking about giving them to someone who can source them to elderly people but I have huge anxiety they might fall and catch fire and then I’ve effectively killed the new owner of them. Not normal at all but they used to worry me when grandma used them.)
Also gas is more expensive than electric and electric heaters throw out more heat. Even the wealthiest of people don’t want to spent excessive money on gas bills so electric heaters are a smart choice. What I would suggest is when you move into the property you get the boiler serviced and insured with your pipes and electric so if their are any problems you’re covered. British Gas home are homecare usually have deals on for new members.

Gas is much cheaper per hour than electric heating. I find it bizarre that you really think electric heaters are cheaper to run. They are not! They are cheap to buy and very expensive to run.

GasPanic · 02/02/2026 12:14

The might have them there so they can switch on on a room by room basis if the rooms get under 10C for insurance purposes.

Or maybe they are a throwback to before they had the new gas system fitted.

Why don't you ask them, easier than speculating.

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