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Original poster

Heating for a conservatory

9 replies

sues1974 · 29/01/2010 20:37

hi, were getting a conservatory soon (3.5 x 6.5 mtrs), and dont know which type of heating to go for. Can you please tell me what you have in yours, if your happy with it or if you wished youd chosen something different. Really confused with which one to go for.
Thanks, sues

OP posts:
Openbook · 30/01/2010 18:24

We have radiators linked into the central heating but decided very early on after moving to the house, not to use the conservatory in cold weather. We have doors that close between the living room and conservatory and really need them. There is so much glass that it is bound to be chilly. Ours is 15 yers old and pretty draughty but I have a friend who uses her new one all year round and it was a bit brisk in their the other day [hmmm].

citybranch · 31/01/2010 00:34

bumping, because we are thinking of a conservaory too! We have a south facing garden.

SofiaAmes · 31/01/2010 01:38

radiant under floor heating

jeanjeannie · 31/01/2010 09:44

According to dp (who builds the things) the most comfortable is the most expensive! And that is underfloor heating.

It's about 150w per sq mtre - money you save at the beginning by not having A or B rated glass or a glass roof is soon off-set in the running costs. So you're going to need about 4kw of heating. If you go down this route then make sure you've got the best glass!

If you've got a south facing garden then you really, really need solar controlled glass - otherwise it'll be roasting. You may also eliminate the need for blinds. Hth

citybranch · 31/01/2010 13:00

thanks jeanjeannie!
Does your DP know if you can increase the size of an existing conservatory base? We actually have a knackered old lean-to that needs to go, and we're wondering if we can use the base we have, but just make it a few feet bigger?
Garden is on a bit of a slope so base would have to be suspended, don't know if that matters?
Any advice greatly appreciated!

SofiaAmes · 31/01/2010 15:40

Absolutely pay for the solar controlled glass.

jeanjeannie · 31/01/2010 18:49

DP thinks that it might just be easier to dig it out as you'll probably end up with so much backfill to do with the overhang.

Without seeing it - it's hard to tell though. A good local builder could tell you what the best thing to do with the base is. DP does do both dug out and and suspended bases when there is a slope but it's a decision he makes when he's seen the site. Sorry - that's not much help I know

Original poster
sues1974 · 01/02/2010 21:16

Hi, thanks for the replies and suggestions. DH has been looking into it and were going to go for water based underfloor heating. were not south facing and get the sun in the morning until lunch time so should be ok with the roof. having to put conservatory on hold now though for a while as need to have a more efficiant boiler first, why do nice things always have to make way for sensible things! ha ha

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 02/02/2010 04:10

Electric might be efficient enough (and much cheaper) to make it worthwhile.

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