Category: Heating
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Expert warns of the 8 most common insulation mistakes
If there’s one part of a self build or renovation that’s easy to underestimate, it’s insulation. Most of us know it’s essential for keeping the house warm and reducing energy bills, but the reality is that insulation isn’t just about stuffing some material into walls or roofs and calling it a day. Done wrongly, it…
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Do radiator booster fans really work? An expert weighs in
With heating bills soaring, everyone is looking for a simple way to cut costs – which is where radiator booster fans could come to the rescue. For those who have never heard of them, these gadgets attach to the bottom or top of the best radiator, drawing in cooler air from the floor, blowing it…
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BOXT boiler installation review – how fast is the service?
You can trust Homebuilding & Renovating. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and materials in order to help you choose the best for your home and garden. Find out more about how we test. There’s no doubt that winter is the worst possible time for your boiler to break down. When the…
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Are oil filled radiators safe to leave on overnight?
Oil-filled radiators are a popular way to warm up a bedroom or home office without switching on the full heating. They’re quiet, steady and generally efficient – which naturally begs the question: are they safe to leave on overnight? Modern radiators come with far better safety features than older portable heaters, but there are still…
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Will the amount of paint coats on a radiator affect heat output?
Most radiators come pre-painted and factory-finished, so it makes sense that they are at their most energy-efficient. However, the original colour might not meet your design ambitions, or time has taken its toll, and a repaint is on the cards. Even the best radiators will eventually need a makeover, and a new coat of paint…
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How much is too much insulation? An expert explains
For most self builders, installing insulation is a no-brainer and the corner stone of improving the energy efficiency of a home. It’s one of those investments that seem to tick every box and by wrapping your home in enough insulation, the result should be that you’ll spend less on heating, live more comfortably, and lower…
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Heat pumps in new homes use far less energy than expected
One of the UK’s first real-world trials of all-electric new builds has found that homes fitted with air-source heat pumps and solar panels are using dramatically less electricity than expected. The homes recorded annual energy use between 40% and 67% lower than the UK average, with peak demand also coming in far below predicted levels.…
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I tested Radflek Radiator Reflectors – here’s my verdict
With rising heating bills and plummeting temperatures, many families are facing a difficult dilemma this year. I, for one, have been reluctant to turn on my heating because of the high costs and have been on the hunt for a money-saving hack that could make my heating go further. So when I saw Radflek’s Radiator…
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Heat pump scheme expands with new £2,500 discount
Homeowners can now claim £2,500 towards the cost of installing air-to-air heat pumps – systems that cool in summer and heat in winter – under changes to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The expansion, announced this week, brings air-conditioning-style units into a scheme previously limited to traditional air- and ground-source heat pumps. Heat batteries are…
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Is underfloor heating more efficient than radiators?
Is underfloor heating more efficient than radiators? If you’re in the process of choosing heat emitters for your home, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. First of all, let’s take a look at how they both work. Underfloor heating provides gradual, natural warmth by circulating warm water through pipes or using electric wires beneath your…