Conservatory with vaulted roof - heat options

StevenE · 26-07-2017 07:31AM #1

My conservatory is piped for heat from the oil boiler. One feed, one return separately zoned. The rest of the ground floor is UFH.
What would people recommend as the main heat source in this case?

Wearb · 26-07-2017 04:00PM

StevenE wrote: »

My conservatory is piped for heat from the oil boiler. One feed, one return separately zoned. The rest of the ground floor is UFH.
What would people recommend as the main heat source in this case?

Is the oil boiler not your main heat source already? I think I am not understanding your question.

StevenE · 26-07-2017 04:46PM

It's not you, it's me! I'm trying to do things too quickly.....

The house is at first fix. There will be a new condensing oil boiler fitted. My question, though very badly put, is; what would be the best style of radiator, or whatever, to use in such a space, fed from that boiler. There is no UFH in the conservatory, which leaves me open to fit whatever might be most efficient.

Sorry about that!

DGOBS · 26-07-2017 04:57PM

If its a new build you maybe better looking at heat pumps, or even the grant hybrid oil boiler / heat pump rather than oil alone.

Wearb · 26-07-2017 04:58PM

Ok got it. You need to do a heat loss calculation for your conservatory (you will find calculators online), or your plumber will do it. That will give you the KW requirement. Then chose radiator(s) size to match that requirement and fit with a thermostatic radiator valve or maybe a room stat. You will need to discuss method of control with plumber so as to reduce boiler cycling.

You will hear lots of talk about efficiency of different rads, but the bottom line is that e.g. a 5Kw rad of any type will cost the same to run as any other 5Kw rad. So don't let anyone tell you that this or that is cheaper to run. So chose a rad(s) that you like the look of that match your heat requirement (and your wallet).

Tom44 · 26-07-2017 07:06PM

Steve,
As you have said, conservatory has a high pitched roof, so I would recommended a fan assisted radiator.
It's works like an ordinary radiator, but has a fan built in to vastly improve air circulation.
It also needs an electrical power supply close to it, but electrical consumption is very low, as your only running a fan, not generating the heat supply.
No point in having all that heat up high.
Standard radiators have a hard job in a conservatory, especially with high roof.

I would have put in underfloor as well.

StevenE · 27-07-2017 08:24AM

Tom44

Thanks for the advice.

It turns out my thinking the house has UFH is incorrect. I've only just taken it on, and it was an incorrect assumption. Frankly, I'm rather pleased as I prefer radiators to UFH!

I will look into fan assistance, it was kind of in my head that I needed to move the air round, so the fan assistance makes sense. Would you recommend one make over another or are that all pretty much the same?

The good news is there is an electric feed near the pipework, I reckon they had the same idea!

MiniGolf · 27-07-2017 11:44AM

A Solorad is a great option...( Irish made too!!)
I fit them and have yet to be dissapointed.
The fact that you have a separate zone already is ideal. They are available in 3kw or 6kw outputs and have temperature control built in. Just ensure installer follows instructions with regards to flow and return connections.
http://www.solorad.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Solo-Radiator-Brochure.pdf

StevenE · 29-07-2017 10:57AM

Thanks MiniGolf, they look perfect and really good quality. I will probably go with the 6kW version, I can always reduce the output, but with that vaulted ceiling, I should go with more rather than less, I want to use it year-round.

I appreciate your time and reply.

Tom44 · 29-07-2017 05:55PM

I have in the past altered fan radiators to suck via built in ducting (recessed in the wall) to take the hot air from up high and improve circulation, worked well in 2 storie hallways and high vaulted rooms.

But that's only my idea, manufactures mightn't approve.

Dtp1979 · 30-07-2017 06:13PM

MiniGolf wrote: »

A Solorad is a great option...( Irish made too!!)
I fit them and have yet to be dissapointed.
The fact that you have a separate zone already is ideal. They are available in 3kw or 6kw outputs and have temperature control built in. Just ensure installer follows instructions with regards to flow and return connections.
http://www.solorad.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Solo-Radiator-Brochure.pdf

Grant engineering are releasing their own version of a solo type rad. Meant to be much better and can be used to cool the room like an aircon unit too.

Dtp1979 · 30-07-2017 06:15PM

Tom44 wrote: »

I have in the past altered fan radiators to suck via built in ducting (recessed in the wall) to take the hot air from up high and improve circulation, worked well in 2 storie hallways and high vaulted rooms.

But that's only my idea, manufactures mightn't approve.

Next you'll be re-desiging baffles in oil boilersðŸ˜±

Car99 · 30-07-2017 06:22PM

Does the conservatory have a glass roof or is a standard slate roof as in is the room more of a sunroom than a typical add on conservatory?

Calahonda52 · 30-07-2017 07:34PM

StevenE wrote: »

It's not you, it's me! I'm trying to do things too quickly.....

The house is at first fix. There will be a new condensing oil boiler fitted. My question, though very badly put, is; what would be the best style of radiator, or whatever, to use in such a space, fed from that boiler. There is no UFH in the conservatory, which leaves me open to fit whatever might be most efficient.

Sorry about that!

If a s/c boiler make sure you size the rads for the boiler flow and return temps at which it condenses, which will lead to bigger rads.
My understanding is that if flow is 80 and return 60 then average is 70 and if room temp required in 20 then Delta T is 50

However to condense the return needs to be c 45 so care needed

StevenE · 31-07-2017 08:59AM

Car99 wrote: »

Does the conservatory have a glass roof or is a standard slate roof as in is the room more of a sunroom than a typical add on conservatory?

Its a bit of both. It has a slate roof and dwarf wall, but the glass follows the roof to the ridge.

StevenE · 31-07-2017 09:01AM

Calahonda52 wrote: »

If a s/c boiler make sure you size the rads for the boiler flow and return temps at which it condenses, which will lead to bigger rads.
My understanding is that if flow is 80 and return 60 then average is 70 and if room temp required in 20 then Delta T is 50

However to condense the return needs to be c 45 so care needed

Thanks for the reminder. I was a bit old-skool and was of the thought to purchase a bigger than needed boiler, but I realise I was wrong and need to stick to as close as possible to actual requirements.
I will refer to the links, but might come back for advice, just to check that I am going in the right direction.

MiniGolf · 31-07-2017 09:10AM

StevenE wrote: »

Thanks MiniGolf, they look perfect and really good quality. I will probably go with the 6kW version, I can always reduce the output, but with that vaulted ceiling, I should go with more rather than less, I want to use it year-round.

I appreciate your time and reply.

Just do the heat loss calculation and size accordingly. No point in putting in a 6kw when a 3 kw will do. They have temperature control built in.

Conservatory with vaulted roof - heat options

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