Fitting another radiator

[keyplus90]

Hi, My office is at the back of my house in the annexe. I have separate boiler etc but only one radiator. Obviously it takes ages to heat up the room. How much would it cost to have an extra radiator fitted (I am in West London Area). Or any other suggestions will be welcomed. Thanks.

[Count-A-Strong]

If it's a single panel radiator, you could have it swapped for a twin. Much less work and expense.

[keyplus90]

No It is double panel. But the reason I believe is that annexe is at the end of back garden. Obviously all sides are open (outside) as no other building is next to it and then this room is almost a full width of the house.

[Count-A-Strong]

Ah right. I would estimate around £300 labour (day and a half) and £75 parts. Might be better to keep the heating on low all the time in this weather (from a very cold North Yorkshire).

[AlBags]

Radiators opposite sides to spread heat. Get done in 15mm copper.
Radiator 75-125 quid depending on size
Fitting around 50 quid .. but plumbing/connecting up/draindown/refill time of old system unknown entity. That could cost several more hours. It's easy .. just time consuming.

[New Judge]

Most plumbers will use a freezing machine to freeze (and hence seal) the existing pipework at the appropriate place so they can Tee in without draining and refilling the system. Cuts the time down considerably and, provided there are no access problems (carpets or dodgy floorboards) it should take no more than half a day

[keyplus90]

Thanks for all your answers. I thought about buying a spare electric heater to go with it but then I think that another radiator might be a better option in the long run as the same bolier will heat that up at no extra cost or perhaps it will save time to heat up the room and by doing that would save on fuel cost too.

[New Judge]

You’re not quite right, keyplus.

Although the addition of a second radiator will almost certainly result in lower additional running costs than, say, providing an electric heater, it will certainly not be free. Your boiler will have to work harder to provide the additional heat that the radiator provides. You get nothing for nothing !!!

[keyplus90]

So in that case I might be better off buying a fan heater and warm the room quickly and then leave it upto the central heating to maintain that.

[New Judge]

Quite possibly. You could do all the complicated arithmetic (which would not be guaranteed to provide the right answer) but you can buy a fan heater for about a tenner so it may be worth a try.

[Hopkirk]

Have you tried turning up the boiler temperature?

Also increase insulation in the roof and check for draughts that can be eliminated.