If you have a radiator in your living room, it’s likely to be beneath the window, on an exterior wall.In times when double glazing was almost unheard of, placing the radiator here helped to eliminate the cold draught that would often come through the window.
Where is the best place to put radiators?
The best place for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. This used to be under windows. However, in more modern double-glazed homes, there may not be a cold area, so you can put radiators where they won’t affect the use of walls. A general rule is to have one radiator for every 4m or so in a room.
Are radiators better under Windows?
Installing a radiator under a window is still a very good option. Although modern double glazing gives you other places to choose from, they are still not 100% efficient at stopping cold air coming in. The area beneath a window is also a good place for a radiator because it’s often free of furniture.
Why are radiators always under Windows?
Windows are traditionally the worst insulated surfaces in a building shell.In the twentieth century, to combat that cold feeling and keep the room comfortably warm, radiators were always placed under a window. The rising heat of the radiator forms a kind of hot air curtain that shields you from the cold air.
Does insulation behind radiators work?
Silver foil placed down the back of a radiator will reflect heat back into a room rather than letting it uselessly escape through the walls of a house.However, the Energy Saving Trust says that foil behind radiators is not worth doing if you already have cavity wall insulation.
Is it OK to put a sofa in front of a radiator?
It’s not a good idea to place a sofa, or any other large furniture, in front of a radiator. A sofa would block heat from travelling freely around the room, and could suffer potential long-term damage from a close level of heat exposure.
How close to the wall should a radiator be?
A radiator should be positioned 2cm or more away from a wall.
Should you tuck curtains behind radiators?
The main mistake that people make is to fit heavy floor-length curtains over both the window and the radiator below. This traps the heat in the window space and does not let it into the room. Correctly fitted curtains should not cover the top of the radiator, but should stop just below the window ledge.
Should you keep all radiators on?
According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it’s cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth.The Energy Saving Trust says if you’re keeping the heating on all day you’re losing energy all day, so it’s better to heat your home only when you need it.
Can I put a TV on a wall above a radiator?
It is definitely possible to put a TV on a wall above a radiator, but it may not always be advisable. Your TV may not work if it overheats and your radiator may be so efficient at pumping out heat that it makes your TV too hot.
Do radiators have a flow direction?
Pipes from one radiator lead to another and do not cross, so you orient the radiator the same way as the other radiators on the same floor are oriented. If you only have one radiator, you will need to get into your neighbor’s apartment to figure out which way the pipes are going.
Why are radiators white?
Whereas black surfaces absorb heat energy and light, white surfaces reflect them in contrast. Therefore, to project as much heat as possible out of radiators, moving the heat effectively from the inside to the outside, you would opt to paint them white.
Do I need radiator in kitchen?
Radiators are used in all rooms in the house, including kitchens. Although the kitchen does not need large radiators as other rooms, it is desirable to have them in the kitchen to avoid moisture. When installing the radiator, it is important to pay attention that they are not placed close to the refrigerator.
Is radiator foil any good?
Putting kitchen foil behind the radiator is a false economy, as its effectiveness will be severely limited by these effects over time. Homemade foil radiator reflectors crinkle easily and oxidise, losing their reflective qualities.
Do you lose heat with radiator covers?
Yes. The good news is that well-designed radiator covers leave plenty of space for the warm air to travel through. A radiator cover could actually even improve your heat efficiency if the cover includes a reflective foil backing, which we mentioned earlier.
Can radiators start fires?
Water radiators generally will not start a fire because they do not become hot enough. However, fragile materials placed close to or on a water radiator can burn. For example, thin plastic near a water radiator might warp because of the radiator’s heat.
Is it bad to lean against a radiator?
Things like a sofa or a chest of drawers pushed right against a radiator can block the heat from coming into the room, meaning you’re spending a lot of money to heat the back of them. Pulling them a few inches away from the rad can create a channel for the heat to rise up and into the room.
How much room should be in front of a radiator?
The space required around the radiator so that there is no impedance on heat output due to insufficient natural air movement, is a minimum of 10% of the height of the radiator. In reality, it is aesthetically better to have at least 150mm around the radiator due to the protrusion of the thermostatic valve.
Do you bleed a radiator when it is on or off?
Turn off your heating. You can’t bleed a radiator when the heating is on, as it may be too hot to touch. You could also get hot water spraying out of the radiator. Use your radiator key to turn the valve at the top of the radiator.
How high should radiators be off the floor?
150mm
Radiators should typically be mounted so that the foot of the radiator is positioned a minimum of 150mm from the floor. The height of nearby floorboards could influence how high a radiator is fitted, if only for aesthetic reasons.
How many radiators should be in a room?
As a general rule of thumb, have one radiator for every 5m? of space you need to heat.
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