BeckyBoo Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 This house used to be a two bed end of terrace, four years ago we extended and it's now a four bed end of terrace, unfortunately ex-OH (in his wisdom) didn't change the boiler and since the extension it has struggled, and struggled to keep up with the heating. And now it has given up the ghost, actually it gave up a week or so ago, but tonight seems to be really cold Even the children complained that it's cold upstairs, they've all got extra blankets on and thick jamas, think I'll be joining them shortly! Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Youre right Mrs B, it is chilly tonight, colder than Thurs or Fri nights. Have the heating on here as I hate being cold, makes me grumpy! Kimmy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I sympathise we have hot at the top and cold at the bottom radiators at the moment on an old back boiler, hubby has no idea what to do with them and doesn't seem to care something else for me to sort out!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 oh heck I hate being cold! How are you managing without a boiler, bath and shower wise? Do you have an immersion heater? Can you have a nice hot bath before you go to bed? maybe you could all cuddle up in one bed to keep warm? sleep well xxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanbb Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I know the feeling. Definately VERY cold tonight and it doesn't help that our boiler has decided to pack in aswell. Fluffy socks and dressing gown called for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I sympathise we have hot at the top and cold at the bottom radiators at the moment on an old back boiler, hubby has no idea what to do with them and doesn't seem to care something else for me to sort out!!! This happened to our radiators once and I think you have to bleed the radiators to let the air out, you need a special key thing tho. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 No you don't need a special "bleed key" (available from homebase etc). Very easy to sort out: You just need a screwdriver. At the top of your radiators, on one side or the other is a little bumpy bit with a slot in. (Sometimes triangular in shape: you need a "bleed key" for this type). Turn anti-clockwise and have a cloth ready to catch the spouting water. When it stops hissing air out and starts spouting water, tighten up again. Very easy, and should be done every year when you first turn on your central heating to prevent air locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Hi Have you asked any of the local council / government / advice offices to see if you can get any form of grant to help you out. Have you applied for any help or have the roof or walls insulated? We hope you find some help some where. best regards Ian & Valerie William & Harry Missy & Millie dogs 9 lovely hens Henian Castle with inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 me and my sister have had to sleep in the conservatory since thursday night, because my grandparents have come to stay. It gets really really cold in there, and on the coldest night so far, of course the heater has to break. We also use it for generally heating up the house. I'm really cold. Poo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 No you don't need a special "bleed key" (available from homebase etc). Very easy to sort out: You just need a screwdriver. At the top of your radiators, on one side or the other is a little bumpy bit with a slot in. (Sometimes triangular in shape: you need a "bleed key" for this type). Turn anti-clockwise and have a cloth ready to catch the spouting water. When it stops hissing air out and starts spouting water, tighten up again. Very easy, and should be done every year when you first turn on your central heating to prevent air locks. Nope that only works for cold at the top of the radiator. often do thta but these are hot at the top cold at the bottom so trying to bleed them you just get hot water coming out , no air! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 A friend was recently telling me about a very cheap to run plug in electric heater. I think she was talking about a ceramic heater. (or maybe a halogen heater?) These are about £30 and 2 KW. So if you pay 10p per KW it would cost you about 20p an hour. If you had it on for 5 hours a day that would be £1. So that would be an extra £30 a month It doesn't sound that cheap to me, but might be useful for short periods in an emergency. Oil filled radiators can be cheaper to run and also available for about £30. I've not had the heating on much this month, but I gave in today as it is colder than it has been. I personally hate getting out of the bath/shower if the house is cold and would rather just have a quick wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 HiHave you asked any of the local council / government / advice offices to see if you can get any form of grant to help you out. Have you applied for any help or have the roof or walls insulated? Do you know if you have cavity wall insulation and roof insulation? I had it done earlier this year and it really has made a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 You say in an other subject about to be ex OH so why cannot part of the settlement be new central heating or you do not sign. Also Maplin Electronics shops sell waistcoats which are AA battery powered and also gloves these can keep you warm temps up to 50 degrees. Best of luck. Best regards Ian & Valerie William & Harry Missy & Millie dogs 9 lovely hens Henian Castle with inside it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 Thanks everyone, have had an engineer round this evening and he thinks he should be able to get it going, he's getting a new pump in and will fit it tomorrow. Which is just as while, the evenings and nights are chilly but it's the morninga I hate, getting out of the shower into a cold bathroom and cold towel Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 No you don't need a special "bleed key" (available from homebase etc). Very easy to sort out: You just need a screwdriver. At the top of your radiators, on one side or the other is a little bumpy bit with a slot in. (Sometimes triangular in shape: you need a "bleed key" for this type). Turn anti-clockwise and have a cloth ready to catch the spouting water. When it stops hissing air out and starts spouting water, tighten up again. Very easy, and should be done every year when you first turn on your central heating to prevent air locks. Nope that only works for cold at the top of the radiator. often do thta but these are hot at the top cold at the bottom so trying to bleed them you just get hot water coming out , no air! Barbara is right - if they are cold at the bottom, then the system is silted up and will need draining and jetting out before refilling with new water with a corrosion inhibitor added. I had the same problem in my house - the original heating system was fitted by the previous occupant. Cold at the top means that there is trapped air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
