I am about to convert a loft into a third floor in our house.
Currently I have nu-heat UFH on the ground floor and standard
radiators on the first floor. The new loft will be 2 indentical
bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms. I was thinking of installing UFH
in the new floor (1 single zone with its own thermostat) but an
architect I know has questioned why I would need so much heating/
expense in the new floor and has suggested 2 small electric storage
heaters. The new loft will have at least latest standards of
insulation, perhaps more, each room withh have west facing velux and
east facing dorrmers. Any comments on whether this lower level of
heating will be enough ? what about electric towel rails for en-
suites ?

Thanks

Lloyd

wrote:

I am about to convert a loft into a third floor in our house.
Currently I have nu-heat UFH on the ground floor and standard
radiators on the first floor. The new loft will be 2 indentical
bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms. I was thinking of installing UFH
in the new floor (1 single zone with its own thermostat) but an
architect I know has questioned why I would need so much heating/
expense in the new floor and has suggested 2 small electric storage
heaters. The new loft will have at least latest standards of
insulation, perhaps more, each room withh have west facing velux and
east facing dorrmers. Any comments on whether this lower level of
heating will be enough ? what about electric towel rails for en-
suites ?

I can't see the logic of using electric heating if you already have a
working central heating system. If it is a vented design then convert to
a sealed system if you can, else find a place high up for the header tank.

Built to modern standards you may find the heat loss from the loft is
very much lower than from the rest of the house - so can use smaller
ordinary rad than those used on the first floor.

When I did the heat loss calcs for my loft conversion I found the loss
from the whole second storey was about the same as that from my front
room! (which has only one external wall).

--
Cheers,

John.

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On 5 Feb 2007 11:21:18 -0800 someone who may be
wrote this:-

The new loft will be 2 indentical
bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms. I was thinking of installing UFH
in the new floor (1 single zone with its own thermostat) but an
architect I know has questioned why I would need so much heating/
expense in the new floor and has suggested 2 small electric storage
heaters.

You pay much attention to what architects have to say on heating and
ventilation? In my view some architects are excellent at
architecture, but they should stick to their field.

The new loft will have at least latest standards of
insulation, perhaps more, each room withh have west facing velux and
east facing dorrmers.

Underfloor heating is slow to respond to changes in the space and
may not be the best option, especially when there are large solar
gains (no idea about this particular proposal). However, it would be
better then electric storage heaters.

If there is space for storage heaters then there is space for
radiators. Given the current price of thermostats and motorised
valves I would be tempted to fit an optimum start thermostat and
motorised valve for each radiator.

Any comments on whether this lower level of
heating will be enough ? what about electric towel rails for en-
suites ?

Run them off the heating system.

Running a long uninsulated heating main in summer just to keep some
towel rails warm would not be a good idea, though if the towel rails
are just above a hot water cylinder then this changes the position.
Electric heaters for summer use are frowned on by some, but they do
have advantages.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Have you considered an Air Heat Pump?

More efficient than wet central heating and definitely more efficient
than storage heaters, you'd save money and cut emissions!

These things are very popular in Denmark and Sweden but only just
catching on over here.

Even better - a solar system connected to your under floor heating -
free hot water. Yes - it works even when it isn't sunny - there's
still solar radiation in the UK even though there's not much sunshine!

Alternatively, what about a wood burning boiler - not as messy as it
sounds, the wood chips go into a hopper.

Check out www.growyourownenergy.co.uk technology questionnaire, answer
all the questions and it will tell you what's viable for your
property.

On 6 Feb 2007 07:40:12 -0800, "Grow Your Own Energy"
wrote:

free hot water. Yes - it works even when it isn't sunny

You will install it for nothing and service it for free?

Check out www.growyourownenergy.co.uk technology questionnaire, answer
all the questions and it will tell you what's viable for your
property.

Another bit of greenwash sales masquerading as "independent".
Obviously the word means something other than its usual dictionary
definition when used by the green propaganda industry.

Each of the "calculators" ends up with "A report based on your
choices will be dispatched instantly! Please enter your name and
email address below" and "If you are interested in a free no
obligation quotation call our support [sales?] team..."

Has the whole of the double glazing and second hand car industry
migrated en masse to the ecofake sector?

--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/

On Feb 6, 3:40 pm, "Grow Your Own Energy"
wrote:

Alternatively, what about a wood burning boiler - not as messy as it
sounds, the wood chips go into a hopper.

I don't fancy carrying the wood up to the loft every day.

MBQ