Gas central heating

[Andante]

The radiators in the bedrooms have a control with numbers on to set it at various heats. All the others in the house don't have these and the knobs on those can't be turned either way. We would like to be able to adjust the heat output on these to try to economise on gas. Would it be a simple job to change them to the ones with numbers on or is it a gas man's job? Each radiator has some kind of control each end but we don't know what they are for.

[Pothead_Pixie]

Originally Posted by Andante

The radiators in the bedrooms have a control with numbers on to set it at various heats. All the others in the house don't have these and the knobs on those can't be turned either way. We would like to be able to adjust the heat output on these to try to economise on gas. Would it be a simple job to change them to the ones with numbers on or is it a gas man's job? Each radiator has some kind of control each end but we don't know what they are for.

Your bedroom rads have thermostatic valves.
It doesn't need a heating engineer to change to these but your last sentence dictates that you need someone who knows what they're doing to fit yours.

[NorfolkTurkey]

If you fit into a certain age group, qualified tradesmen or respectable handymen will do it for a nominal fee or for nowt, it could be worth askin your local council or one of the charities such as 'age concern' 'help the aged' one of those would point you in the right direction.

[Andante]

Thank you for the replies. We have a gas man coming to service the boiler in a couple of months so we'll ask if he can do the job.

[NorfolkTurkey]

Always stick the kettle on & get the cake & biccies out.

It works wonders to get the bill reduced.

Good Luck.

[durdle]

Originally Posted by NorfolkTurkey

Always stick the kettle on & get the cake & biccies out.

It works wonders to get the bill reduced.

Good Luck.

If you don't agree a price beforehand, how do you know if the bill has been reduced? I agree it's worth sticking the kettle on every hour or two but all it ever seems to achieve is that it keeps the person doing the job relaxed and less likely to bodge it. Maybe I should be more free with the biccies

I've had a full set of thermostatic valves fitted in three different houses now. They are very effective but can be a bit of a ****** to adjust so that the temperature is how you want it in all the rooms. Also, I believe you need to have at least one radiator (bathroom usually) without a valve to stop the boiler being damaged if the wall thermostat says go but all the valves are turned off.

[Andante]

I didn't realise the boiler could be damaged if all radiators are turned of durdle..My son-in-law tells me that when they turn their GCH off the pump goes on pumping. If some radiators are turned off does that save gas consumption or does it not because the boiler is still working to heat a few radiators.

[Eric]

Don't let them baffle you with science Andante, central heating systems are pretty simple set ups.

Here's a bit of reading for you. E.

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/gasboilers.html

[durdle]

Originally Posted by Andante

I didn't realise the boiler could be damaged if all radiators are turned of durdle..My son-in-law tells me that when they turn their GCH off the pump goes on pumping. If some radiators are turned off does that save gas consumption or does it not because the boiler is still working to heat a few radiators.

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. It's just that I understand that you have to let some water be pumped round if the boiler kicks in, possibly because the wall thermostat is turned right up by accident; maybe it's different for different types of boiler. I reckon it must save on gas consumption if some radiators are turned off, though, if only because less hot water will need to be circulated to bring the rest up to their preset heat settings. As Eric says, it's all pretty simple really.

[Andante]

Thank you for the link Eric. I've printed it off for Mr.A. to read.

[Andante]

I've checked with the local Council. They don't know if we could get a grant. They haven't come across a request before. They told me to check it out with British Gas. I did this and BG want £409 to fit Temperature control valves to 6 radiators. I don't think I'll bother.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Andante

I've checked with the local Council. They don't know if we could get a grant. They haven't come across a request before. They told me to check it out with British Gas. I did this and BG want £409 to fit Temperature control valves to 6 radiators. I don't think I'll bother.

Find a local plumber and get it done at a sensible price, these are the bits you need and a good plumber will take about five minutes each to fit them.

http://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog...or_Valves.html



E.

[Pothead_Pixie]

Originally Posted by Andante

I've checked with the local Council. They don't know if we could get a grant. They haven't come across a request before. They told me to check it out with British Gas. I did this and BG want £409 to fit Temperature control valves to 6 radiators. I don't think I'll bother.

British Gas wanted £1350 to employ Transco to move a meter less than six feet! Transco quoted £270.
The only reason that I approached BG was that I needed a high quote and I knew that that if anyone could be expensive, BG would be ridiculous.

[Andante]

Thank you for the very helpful replies. I assume I could contact Transco direct. I'll do a google PP.

[Andante]

Oops I got a transportation company. I'll try again.