Cast iron radiators - inefficient?

[Flyfisher]

Agreed. I'm sure there were badly built properties but they are now long gone and, by and large, we're left with the better ones. Our close-studded C16 oak frame certainly seems to be over-engineered, which is probably why it's still standing after 450+ years even if it does show signs of significant movement - or what we call 'character' these days.

 

[Kearn]

Agreed. I'm sure there were badly built properties but they are now long gone and, by and large, we're left with the better ones. Our close-studded C16 oak frame certainly seems to be over-engineered, which is probably why it's still standing after 450+ years even if it does show signs of significant movement - or what we call 'character' these days.

Yeah, some of the more interesting ones and failed experimental joints get seen when early ironwork was added to bolster things, but largely the rubbish didn’t stand long.

Frankly, our old wool barn wasn’t built to last either. They had the skills, and access to good felled timber, as illustrated in certain areas, however corner cutting choices were made throughout. The only thing that saved her was a very early barn conversion around 1600 or so, switching use to a dwelling and done with significant funds.

 

[Maria D]

Lots of really interesting posts and I appreciate all your replies. We’re on mains has with all new plumbing and boiler. Three floors each with its own zone and portable thermostats. I don’t know how I’d go about have each room as its own zone at this stage. As well as balancing issues with the rads, we also have lots of air leakage. Back to the perennial issue in period homes of keeping them warm while also ensuring they’re ventilated. I’ll be reading over all your posts again before I try to move forward with a solution. Some of you asked if the cast iron rads had been flushed adequately when they were refurbished. I can’t answer this and am
just hoping they were. They’re hot to the touch but that heat doesn’t seem
to be transferring well to the rooms.