Help with Radiator Placement / Move Radiator?

djp64 · 23 July 2016 at 8:42AM

I have an awkward layout in my dining area which means the only place the wooden sideboard can go is in front of the large double radiator. Until now I have lined the back of the sideboard with the foil / foam material designed to go behind radiators to reduce heat loss out of external walls.

The radiator pipes go down into a concrete floor and the floor is tiled with ceramic tiles so moving the radiator hasn't been feasible until now ....
I'm having a new kitchen and the tiles which run through the kitchen and dining room are being replaced.

Is it worth replacing the radiator and moving it to another wall where it will be unobstructed? If I do this it will have to be a taller / narrower wall mounted radiator as there isn't enough space for the current wide one.

Or does the foiled insulation compensate enough for the obstruction caused by the sideboard? Will the taller / narrower new radiator be as efficient as the current one?

Thanks in advance for any insights / thoughts

Debbie

victor2 · 23 July 2016 at 8:52AM

I'd have it replaced with a new one in a better location. If the room was warm enough before with the sideboard blocking the radiator, then a smaller unobstructed one in another location will probably have a similar effect. Standard style radiators are not expensive, but "designer" ones can be.
We recently had our kitchen completely remodelled and had no choice about moving a radiator, as it was under a window which was becoming an archway.
We had a new cast iron radiator installed to make a feature of it. Similar heat rating to the one it replaced, cost quite a lot more than a standard radiator, but no regrets - it looks great and does the job.

Jonesya · 23 July 2016 at 9:47AM

Despite being called 'radiators' they don't actually radiate much energy at all, they work by convection so as long as the airflow underneath and at the top isn't obstructed too much, it should matter that much.

But heat isn't good for wood, so probably not good for the sideboard.

If wall space is an issue you could consider a 'hydronic plinth heater' - a fan heater that fits under kitchen cabinets a runs off the central heating system, very compact.

This sort of thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hydronic-Kitchen-Plinth-Heater-Brushed/dp/B002T9K8IO

djp64 · 26 July 2016 at 9:54PM

Thank you for your comments - I've decided to have it moved.

I had seen the hydronic plinth heaters but hadn't appreciated how they were connected to the central heating - sounds like a fine plan for replacing the small radiator in the kitchen and freeing up some wall space.

Debbie

Help with Radiator Placement / Move Radiator?

Comments

Categories

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free