Converted attic heating options.

session savage

Hi all,

I have converted my attic into a large open plan office.

It measures 11m x 6.5m . The total volume is approx 128m3

The last part of this conversion is heating. There are pipes available to install radiators but I would have to have the heating on on another zone at the same time and that would be a waste as there will be nobody downstairs while I'm working.

I had been looking at UV panel heaters but I stumbled upon air to air heating systems (http://heatpumps.scanhome.ie/)

Do any of you have any experience with these systems. Do you think it would be suitable for heating my attic space.

The floor in my attic has 150mm fiberglass insulation between the joists and a 65mm insulated plasterboard ceiling below that. I have put 150mm of rockwool insulation between the rafters of the attic ceiling and finished it all in pine t&g.

What heating solutions would you all recommend.

Thanks.

Borzoi

That's an AC unit, they're not suitable for DIY installation. However is would be an ideal heating and cooling solution for an attic.

BTW the info from the site is a decade old, so just a little out of date

session savage

Thanks Borzoi. Do you know of any more up to date sites? I've found a couple of installers but the dont cover my area 😒

Borzoi

Where are you?

Based on the size, you'd need a 7kW unit. Probably about 4k, expensive!

MicktheMan

"...... and finished it all in pine t&g."

😲

so no airtight barrier 🤔

session savage

I put a plastic membrane between the t&g and the rafters /studs

session savage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118269324#Comment_118269324

I'm in south tipp

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118280032#Comment_118280032

every screw/nail in the t&g will allow air in/out...

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118318345#Comment_118318345

Even when the membrane is clamped tight between the t&g and the framing?

cheif kaiser

What about a Smart Radiator ...https://www.bestheating.ie/catalogsearch/result/?q=SMART+RADIATOR

Independent from your system and controlled via an app. Set it up to turn on-off at a particular time or just switch it on before your go up to your attic.

I'm actually thinking about installing these in my bedrooms. Can be put on any wall and don't have to have upstairs running at the same time as the rest of the house.

Jpscoles

i know a few people who converted their attic to WFH this year and went with an electric radiator or in your case maybe 2. Check out best heating.ie, A-rated electric radiators that work off bluetooth etc, could be a handy efficient option, and you can fit it yourself easily.

JimmyVik

We have an attic converted similar to yours. Just use a 2,5kw fan heater connected to a thermostat and timer plug.

Works well. Heats the attic up in a few minutes and then keeps it at constant temperature. Total cost around €40 for heater, thermostat and wifi plug.

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118337177#Comment_118337177

€40 ? Links to all 3 please?

JimmyVik

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118361298#Comment_118361298

I got them years ago. Fan heater I bought in B&Q. You'll even find them in Argos or any shop. Loads of different ones to choose from.

Wifi plugs and thermostats and all sorts of other goodies I got from Aliexpress.

But another setup ive seen used uses these ones from Amazon if you cant order from Aliexpress. But they dont connect to your phone though if you wanted that. Would still do the job though. Probably better to get the ones with the temp sensor thats detached so you can put it wherever in the room you want.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=plug+temperature&crid=V26DZIYRI95K&sprefix=plug+temperature%2Caps%2C45&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

You could also buy a fan heater on Amazon. Some of them have a temperature cutoff but they arent very accurate. Just plug it in through a proper temperature controller.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=fan+heater+2kw&crid=367WSVNLJ0BC3&sprefix=fan+heater%2Caps%2C61&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_6_10

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118364890#Comment_118364890

So not €40 , Cool

JimmyVik

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118364984#Comment_118364984

Ahh, I see what you are at. Sorry for trying to help out.

I did it for less than €40. Im pretty sure with a few clicks you'll get it for €40 or less. If you want to be lazy it might cost you €50 though. I cant do the work for for you though.

2011

Electric heaters are all pretty much 100% energy efficient, this means that almost 100% of the electrical energy is converted to heat. However, this does not mean that they are cheap to run when compared to all of the alternatives (including gas or oil).

You could use a smart switch that connect to wifi called "Sonoff TH16" to control an electric heater based on time, temperature or a boost function. These can switch mains volatge at up to 16A. I use them a lot, they are quite cheap to buy and are easy to install. They can be controlled from a free app on your phone.

Another option would be to get your plumbing zoned so that the attic can be switched on independently of the rest of the central heating system. This, in my opinion would be the best solution, but it may be harder to implement.

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118365601#Comment_118365601

So the TH16 can easily run a wired in 1000w Heater such as this from Amazon ?https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09BYXXDBW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2011

Yes

8valve

Get a small stanley woodstove installed.

We did.

Epic.

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367522#Comment_118367522

Cool I have both and am in the process of converting a small section of my Attic as a small Office for WFH with room for a Double Bed. Have 150 MM rigid insulation 75mm between rafters (50mm air gap) and another 75mm above, The walls are 150 mm Omnifit 34 roll at 600 mm centers with 75 mm rigid on top , all sealed with airtight tape When we had a few cold days earlier in the week even with no door and only 70% of the room fully insulated the temp difference compared to the rest of the attic was amazing.

JimmyVik

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367549#Comment_118367549

In the attic?

JimmyVik

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367561#Comment_118367561

Sometimes the simpler solutions are the best. Good inulation is very important when converting an attic room.

Imagine the cost difference between plumbing the attic or installing a wood burning stove and just buying an electric heater and thermostat controller.

The enregy monitor on mine says it cost 18cents to heat it (constant 20celcius) from 7am until 5pm yesterday. 15cents the day before and 34cents the day before that (but that was until 6:30pm also). Most expensive day this year 43c was back in November.

corsav6

The Rointe range of smart heaters will use their full power rating to bring the area up to temperature and then reduce consumption to 40% to maintain that temperature. They can be controlled via app remotely or on the unit itself.

There are several manufacturers producing these smart rads now but all function in the same way.

We supply to the trade where I work but if you need any info then just pm me.

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118368917#Comment_118368917

I agree some of my coworkers are burning an extra bale of briquettes and some coal every day during winter when working from home. Must be costing them 6-7 Euro a day !

8valve

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118368888#Comment_118368888

The attic is now a large lounge, master bedroom, en suite and walk in wardrobe; the stove and vertical flue heats them all with the doors open.

Each room also has a rad tied into the downstairs central heating, each with a thermostatic control valve; most of the time they're dialled down to zero as the stove does the job.

TimHorton

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367561#Comment_118367561

The attic room now in use as Home Office with Temporary Door - Today was a cold wet windy day and the Attic was very comfortable and warm all day (Worked from 7.15 AM to 4 PM) - Heater (700W Fan Heater) was on for just over an hour in total, It has not been on since 2 PM and at 7 PM it was still 15 degrees in there. The insulation 150 mm polyiso or 150 Omnift/75mm polyiso and attention to detail ensure no gaps etc was expensive but well worth it.