Many northern homes arrive at Birchfield’s plant room with photographs of existing radiators and a hope that a heat pump will simply replace the boiler. Our workshop begins by weighing that hope against measured heat loss and emitter capacity.
Students calculate room-by-room loads using simplified fabric assumptions, then check whether current radiators can deliver comfort at lower flow temperatures. Often the answer is mixed: some rooms need larger emitters or fan-assisted units; others are already adequate.
We also discuss noise positions for outdoor units on narrow terraces and the pipework space behind kitchen units. These constraints rarely appear in brochure diagrams, yet they shape every credible retrofit conversation.
The workshop closes with a short client-facing summary: what can stay, what must change, and how long a phased radiator upgrade might take. Clarity beats optimism when families plan heating work around school terms and holiday absences.