Useful

**shaka** · 05-12-2011, 20:57

Not exactly DIY but nearest forum I could find.
I am buying a radiator to add extra warmth to my conservatory during the winter. So advice sought which is best Oil free or Oil filled.

**vinniethemanxcat** · 05-12-2011, 21:17

Both cost a lot, not a good idea for prolonged use, are you planning on using it right through, or just odd days?

Fan heaters would warm it up quickest, I would think, our first place ( a flat) had oil- filled rads, they cost more in one winter season, than the cost of installing gas central heating.

It might be unfeasible to add a new rad onto the system now, but it's worth a go.

TIP.... if you are getting a conservatory built, get in a plumber first and get advice, the tossers who build these thing aren't interested, they just want to crash them in, but with advice you can insist on a rad being installed at the same time with very little extra cost and disruption.

Preferably your own trusted plumber though, I won't even work for conservatory builders, they never want to pay....

**EX_STAB** · 05-12-2011, 21:46

Almost any form of heating is cheaper than electricity.

**Onetap** · 05-12-2011, 22:06

Originally Posted by EX_STAB

Almost any form of heating is cheaper than electricity.

Yep, yep, yeppity, yep.

And all electric heaters have the same efficiency, they are all resistance heaters and all the heat comes out in the room.
Anyone trying to tell you their electric heater is more efficient is a snakeoil salesman.

It might be worth while calculating the heat losses from your conservatory.
You may well find that the large glazed area has a huge U-value and trying to heat it would be like trying to fill up a bucket without a bottom to it. Which is why they often don't have heateing fitted.

**vinniethemanxcat** · 05-12-2011, 22:12

It's worth it for say, Christmas or a family do, but as an every day thing, no.

As soon as the sun stops getting over the extension roof to warm it for free, it's off for the winter for me.

**Westpoint** · 05-12-2011, 22:12

However, some are called convector heaters, some are called fan heaters, then there are different materials used in the filaments. 101 variations.

Some are called radiators. I am sure different companies are capable of making maximum efficiency heaters. Just as different street lights are more effective in certain environments.

**Onetap** · 06-12-2011, 00:30

Originally Posted by Westpoint

However, some are called convector heaters, some are called fan heaters, then there are different materials used in the filaments. 101 variations.

Some are called radiators. I am sure different companies are capable of making maximum efficiency heaters. Just as different street lights are more effective in certain environments.

No, really. They're all 100% efficient at converting the current into heat and you can't get any improvement on that.

Unfortunately the efficiency of converting the fossil fuel into current and transporting the current is something like 40%, which is why the electric option is always more expensive.

**BiscuitsAB** · 06-12-2011, 00:33

looking at something similar myself and have three options none of them cheap. opinions would be welcomed.

1. underfloor electric with new tiles on top.
2. two BFO rads
3. wood burning stove.