infra red attic

cozar

is it time to turn on the infra red in the attic at night? it is going to be -3 tonight and the pipes burst in the attic last winter because they froze, i had no infra red. i think myself it needs to be verycold for a longer spell not just one night for pipes to freeze?

Outkast_IRE

did you insulate the pipes after they burst good insulation would be your best line of defense at the moment?

Hootanany

Why infra red would a light bulb not do the same

paddy147

Nothing a frost detector and thermostat switch cant sort out.;)

Most diy stores/builders providers are selling them now,for not alot of money.

Outkast_IRE

Hootanany wrote: »

Why infra red would a light bulb not do the same

The infra red would be more effective than a light bulb at converting energy to heat and could probably be directed easier

cozar

i got attic insulated so no heat coming up. i lagged all pipes in attic. infra red has much more heat than an ordinary bulb. i really dont want a repeat of last year it was such a mess, there was ice 6" deep in hot water tank that i couldnt thaw!! i suppose i could just turn it on on the really cold nights but i dont want it on needlessly either?

Joey the lips

paddy147 wrote: »

Nothing a frost detector and thermostat switch cant sort out.;)

Most diy stores/builders providers are selling them now,for not alot of money.

Have you more information on this....

Hootanany

paddy147 wrote: »

Nothing a frost detector and thermostat switch cant sort out.;)

Most diy stores/builders providers are selling them now,for not alot of money.

How does that work is it hooked up to your central heating

cozar

the infran red i have is just put into light socket. i have no plugs in attic so couldnt use the frost detector ones. They are the best as they detect frost and switch on automatically but you need a socket for this. it is much better than having to go up and down switching on the light and you also might forget it is on and not switch it off.

paddy147

Hootanany wrote: »

How does that work is it hooked up to your central heating

Nothing to do with your central heating system .

All you need is a power socket in your attic or run an extension lead up into the attic.

Outkast_IRE

Im hoping you didnt lag under the tank in the attic right?? its a mistake some people make unfortunately

slimjimmc

Hootanany wrote: »

How does that work is it hooked up to your central heating

The system is independent fom your heating system

You need a
- an IR-lamp bulb. A 250W should do and has a screw thread.
- a ceramic bulb holder. Do not use a plastic bulb holder as it could melt from the heat of the bulb.
- frost-stat. A thermostatic switch which operates at low temps ranging from +15C to -5C. Locate in the attic near the pipe but away from the heat of the bulb.
- a thermometer. Used to calibrate the dial on the frost-stat to the ambient temp during installation. I used a cheap fridge thermometer.
- electrical cable. 2 core is fine since the system is not earthed.

Wire the IR-lamp into the frost-stat and connect the frost-stat to the mains.
You could wire it permanently into the mains but it's more convenient to drop a cable down and plug into a spare wall socket so that you can unplug it when the weather gets warmer.

paddy147

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Im hoping you didnt lag under the tank in the attic right?? its a mistake some people make unfortunately

NO INSULATION under the tank or secondary tank,as the rising heat from the house keeps the tank and pipes from freezing.

I aint that stupid to insulate under the tank,like so many do without thinking.:(


I do however have a tank insulated blanket around the sides of both tanks and also on the top,covering the lids.

But underneath both tanks is totally clear and no insulation what so ever.

youtheman

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Im hoping you didnt lag under the tank in the attic right?? its a mistake some people make unfortunately

See section 7.4, part n (page 17) of seai guidelines http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Home_Energy_Saving_Scheme/contractor/National%20-%20Guidelines.pdf

If your tank is less than 300 mm above the ceiling you lag around it, if it is higher then you lag under it.

cozar

my tank is like a new born baby it is so well lagged you cant even see it. When getting attic insulated they insulated under tank and when i questioned this they said if i have infrared and pipes lagged i should be ok and that if i didnt lag under tank it would defeat the purpose of getting attic insulation.
Put on infrared in attic last night attic was freezing but this morning it was actually quite warm couldnt believe the difference and it costs very little.

pinkcloud111

Which is better: for the Frost Stat to turn on the heating or to turn on an infra red light?

bbam

Infra reds are typically 250w so about €1.20 a day to run. So you could keep it frost free longer for less.