Re: Solar Power
 

If you have thermostatic radiator valves (which you should have) then the room in which you use the wireless CH programmer should have the radiator valve turned up to max.
South and west facing windows get the most solar gain
I would expect your external insulation to be 10 cm on the walls and 2 cm on the window returns. This has been the standard for several years now.

Re: Solar Power
 

To be honest I have been wondering why we don't have thermostatic radiator valves. We do have automatic air release valves as recommended by our plumber.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...8936bf36b7.jpg

Re: Solar Power
 

My house faces south with two windows facing east and the bathroom and toilet windows, both very small, facing north. As the house is buit of adobe the outside walls are 18 inches thick which keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer. Despite having two dogs who go in and out of the house like yo-yos in winter the inside temperature rarely drops below 19C. The roof space is fully insulated as are all the ceilings in the house which have been tongued and grooved. I've also just had the original windows refurbished and refitted and notice how much warmer the house now is.

I have a Baxi Combi boiler central heating which also provides hot water plus wood burning stoves in every room. Unless it's really really cold I only ever use the one in the living room which normally is lit around 4pm or if it's bitterly cold outside and I plan to work in there, just after lunch.

Re: Solar Power
 

You don't normally have more than 1 or 2 automatic air release valves on a CH system and these are usually on the high points of the pipe work. However it is not either thermostat valve or air valve because the thermostat valve goes (normally) on the flow and the air valve will fit at the top of the rad where there is no pipework.

Re: Solar Power
 

We have eight radiators, 5 with automatic air release, so that's 3-4 too many!

Re: Solar Power
 

Ordinarily I would say yes however it depends on the pipe layout, if it was installed properly then yes tee many - bad workmanship might need more.

Re: Solar Power
 

:( I'll have a chat with one of my local friends. He's not a plumber by trade but can do alot of DIY stuff.

Re: Solar Power
 

It is worth fitting thermostat rad valves but not worth changing anything else if it is working