Room Not Heating As Expected

[chuckalicious]

Just had a small extension built which is a bathroom and utility room. The ceiling is vaulted.

I watched the build and everything is well insulated using the specified stuff from architect and building control.

The bathroom has a large towel rail and the utility room has a very tall radiator (approx 3000 btu I think). An online calculator suggested the room dimensions needed approx 1600btu. Both are connected to our central heating system.

We were expecting the extension to heat up fairly quickly and once warm, stay warm for a good amount of time. What we are finding instead is by the time the rest of the house is up to temperature (18-19 c) the utility, at waist height is only about 15-16 and higher up where we have a pulley, is maybe 19 or so.

As the main point of the utility was to dry clothes 15-16 isn't warm enough to dry stuff on airers so we are a bit confused as to what we should do.

Do you think we were expecting too much or do we need to alter our heating in some way?

Thanks.

 

[Nige F]

Have a look at the rad. balancing threads in the wiki. Quite likely it just needs re balancing for the extra pipes/rads.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Vertical rads are often pants.

Towel rails are always pants. The clue is in the name.

Are yours actually hot? If so, they need to be bigger. Of not, then they have been connected to the system poorly or need balancing.

 

[chuckalicious]

Thanks. Both are very hot to the touch and from what I can see and have been told by the builder they should be up to the job. Hence why I'm confused.

I'll read up on balancing as I've never heard of that.

 

[AGAS]

with what you've got all your doing is heating the ceiling as a simple solution fit some normal radiators ( correct sizing ). looks over practicality also make sure your rad is heating the same as others , other words balancing

 

[chuckalicious]

Pardon my ignorance but what difference would a normal radiator make? All hot air rises regardless of how it was produced, doesn't it?

 

[Dan Robinson]

A normal rad has a larger surface area which increases relative output for its size.

Also, a vertical one will heat a smaller column of air meaning reduced efficacy.

 

[chuckalicious]

A normal rad has a larger surface area which increases relative output for its size.

Also, a vertical one will heat a smaller column of air meaning reduced efficacy.

That's annoying. Reason we went with a tall one was the space it is in is quite narrow and the other walls have been used for other things.

Might sound like a daft suggestion but might a small fan by the rad help circulate the hot air bette

 

[dilalio]

Another problem will be the moisture that will be created in that room by using it to dry clothes! Adding an extractor with a humidistat will help but then that will also pull the heat out of the room! I hope you've decorated with moisture resistant paint?
As for the temp, I'd say it's the vaulted ceiling that is making the room take longer to heat... probably would be good to try and get it on its own zone if poss!?

 

[chuckalicious]

Here's a photo by the way

 

[chuckalicious]

Yes we have proper ventilation set up. It is annoying pumping the warmed air out again but can't see what the other options are.

If we were to replace the boiler yes I'd get it put on its own zone but cost wise that was out of the question just now.

 

[Dan Robinson]

They didn't even hang it centrally .


Some times there is no substitution for decent heating design.

A vertical k22 double convector would be better suited than that thing too. It is style over substance.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Evohome....

If we were to replace the boiler yes I'd get it put on its own zone but cost wise that was out of the question just now

 

[chuckalicious]

Evohome....

I already have a Nest setup so would need to research this better.

Disappointed if what I have is simply never going to heat the room properly.

 

[dilalio]

It is style over substance.

I always use the "form over function" argument