attic question

ashblag

ok so cold weather on the way again...major panic here hoping that it's nothing like last year!!!!

My grandfather always leaves a 100watt buld lighting in the attic to prevent pipes ect freezing over..he swears by it.

Is this safe?
Anu boardsies heard/done this?

FoxT

It is not unsafe, provided of course the bulb is well away from anything flammable that is stored in the attic. It costs about 50c per day in electricity.

cuculainn

FoxT wrote: »

It is not unsafe, provided of course the bulb is well away from anything flammable that is stored in the attic. It costs about 50c per day in electricity.

Wire in a frost stat. that way it will only come on when attic gets below say 5 degress or whatever you set it at.....That way you dont have to be thinking of turning on and off

Raiser

cuculainn wrote: »

Wire in a frost stat. that way it will only come on when attic gets below say 5 degress or whatever you set it at.....That way you dont have to be thinking of turning on and off

I've searched and found loads of posts recommending Frost Watch Products and Frost Stats employed in different ways - BUT have a few questions I can't see an answer for?

1. Frost Watch type devices seem to kick in at 5 degrees meaning that they are on unnecessarily in an Attic env. - This seems to be aimed at Greenhouse usage (protecting plants?) So - Is there any that will only come on only at 0 degrees or have an adjustment option etc for same.

2. In the case the above can't be done - People then say things like "just stick in a Frost Stat at set it to 0 degrees". - Do these exist with a mains socket for your Frost Watch and off ya go or do they mean actually wiring it in DIY? How do ya do this then and where do ya buy the Frost Stat themselves.

3. Then there's the IR Bulbs + Ceramic Lampholders + Frost Stats - How does this option compare? Could the normal Joe Bloggs set this up if they had a little cop on and took very good care?

- Thanks, above is for an unoccupied House with an electric supply but no central heating...... Hope its not too late......

Outkast_IRE

Raiser wrote: »

I've searched and found loads of posts recommending Frost Watch Products and Frost Stats employed in different ways - BUT have a few questions I can't see an answer for?

1. Frost Watch type devices seem to kick in at 5 degrees meaning that they are on unnecessarily in an Attic env. - This seems to be aimed at Greenhouse usage (protecting plants?) So - Is there any that will only come on only at 0 degrees or have an adjustment option etc for same.

2. In the case the above can't be done - People then say things like "just stick in a Frost Stat at set it to 0 degrees". - Do these exist with a mains socket for your Frost Watch and off ya go or do they mean actually wiring it in DIY? How do ya do this then and where do ya buy the Frost Stat themselves.

3. Then there's the IR Bulbs + Ceramic Lampholders + Frost Stats - How does this option compare? Could the normal Joe Bloggs set this up if they had a little cop on and took very good care?

The reason they are set for 5 is that if you set it to 0 degrees if the accuracy was even a small bit it mightnt come on and you might still freeze.
A lot of thermostats are out by a good few degrees.

Plombier

If water drops below 4 degrees it begins to expand so after 5 degrees frost protection needs to begin.

cuculainn

Raiser wrote: »

I've searched and found loads of posts recommending Frost Watch Products and Frost Stats employed in different ways - BUT have a few questions I can't see an answer for?

1. Frost Watch type devices seem to kick in at 5 degrees meaning that they are on unnecessarily in an Attic env. - This seems to be aimed at Greenhouse usage (protecting plants?) So - Is there any that will only come on only at 0 degrees or have an adjustment option etc for same.

The stat I wired in lets you set the temp....Have it set for approx 2 degrees

2. In the case the above can't be done - People then say things like "just stick in a Frost Stat at set it to 0 degrees". - Do these exist with a mains socket for your Frost Watch and off ya go or do they mean actually wiring it in DIY? How do ya do this then and where do ya buy the Frost Stat themselves.

quick google search brought up this...so I'd say you can get them in a DIY store http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermostat-Tubular-Heater-Heating-Control/dp/B001AE2PEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291374405&sr=8-1

3. Then there's the IR Bulbs + Ceramic Lampholders + Frost Stats - How does this option compare? Could the normal Joe Bloggs set this up if they had a little cop on and took very good care?

If your not sure......get an electrican

- Thanks, above is for an unoccupied House with an electric supply but no central heating...... Hope its not too late......

See within quote