Combi Boiler radiator temperature

One More Solo · 3 Dec 2010 at 18:39

We've got a combi boiler and it doesn't seem to warm the house up much at all. Currently the radiator temperature on the boiler itself is set to 52 degrees - is this too cold? We don't have thermostats or anything like that (tiny one bed flat) and I've bled the radiators so this seems like the major factor. My personal feeling is a hot temp for a short time is probably better so what should I set it to? Cheers in advance for warming me up!

Danm54 · 3 Dec 2010 at 18:42

50 is a little low for rads, would be fine if you were leaving the heating on for long periods but if you're only using it for a couple of hours then you need to turn the temp up a bit.

Its best to leave your heating on for longer periods though, it lets the house get warm and you'll find it'll stay warmer for longer once the heating is off. If its on for short periods you'll just be heating the air up which will cool quickly and will feel colder too.

One More Solo · 3 Dec 2010 at 18:43

What do you reckon then? 60? It goes up to 75 on the dial.

Danm54 · 3 Dec 2010 at 19:01

Yea 60-65, can always turn it up more if you want to.

Every system/house is different and its damn cold outside, have a play and you'll find the right temp.

chipperhead · 3 Dec 2010 at 20:04

Stick it on max, it's freezing outside, if it gets too hot turn it down.
Ours is set to 75.

Clarkey · 3 Dec 2010 at 20:09

Set it so that it burns you when you touch the rad, then it's just about hot enough

meghatronic · 3 Dec 2010 at 20:35

I'm not sure why/how, but on ours there was a *massive* difference between 50 and 60. I.e. on 60 radiators can't be touched, on 50 you could molest them.

t3kno_tr0n|c · 3 Dec 2010 at 20:42

meghatronic said:
I'm not sure why/how, but on ours there was a *massive* difference between 50 and 60. I.e. on 60 radiators can't be touched, on 50 you could molest them.

LUL what?!

Is that internet rule 34 being implemented?!

I'd pay to see radiator porn.

Richie · 4 Dec 2010 at 10:19

Now't wrong with a good radiator molestation

DBT85 · 4 Dec 2010 at 10:24

too high and the air gets dry and smells burnt so just keep an eye. Also obviously if there are kids around you don't want to scald them with 75 degree rads

Danm54 · 4 Dec 2010 at 10:32

When they make and test rads every company test's the rads heat output with different temperature water, if you run the rads at a lower temp they're not going to put out the heat you need for the room.

I think they're all between 55 and 65 degress but if you know the rad make then it might be worth checking on it.

Just a thought.

DBT85 · 4 Dec 2010 at 11:05

meghatronic said:
I'm not sure why/how, but on ours there was a *massive* difference between 50 and 60. I.e. on 60 radiators can't be touched, on 50 you could molest them.

the difference in temperature of just one degree is quite noticeable. When you get into bed with the wife and her feet feel freezing there is probably only 1 or 2 degrees difference. Its no surprise that at 60 there was a massive difference than 50.

On the subject of radiators i've seen that you can get some of the new eco rads which use aluminium and less water which means they heat up faster and need to burn less gas to get there (according to the blurb) but they are hella expensive!

SB118 · 4 Dec 2010 at 13:53

Obviously it still quite warm down here in the south west, but our heating is set quite low but left on all day (7am-10pm) and we're using about £1 a day (inc cooking and hot water). Once the system is up to temp it ticks over quite cheaply.