Radiator Position

garratt83_2

To All

Can anyone advise me on where to put my radiator in our bedroom. We currently have a small rubbish radiator on wall we wish to put the bed so I am taking it off to put a new one somewhere else.

I can either put in under the window (bay so need a curved one!!!) which is where I thought you should put it. Or the opposite wall.

I was speaking to someone at the weekend and they were saying its no longer best to put in under the window?

Any comments will be great.

Cheers

maninthestreet

Radiators should be positioned under the window - placing opposite a window will result in colder air from the window being drawn across the room. If placing it under a window is not possible, the next bext place is on the wall that is at 90 degrees to the window.

gasbag1602

maninthestreet wrote: »

Radiators should be positioned under the window - placing opposite a window will result in colder air from the window being drawn across the room. If placing it under a window is not possible, the next bext place is on the wall that is at 90 degrees to the window.

It is not best practice to put radiators under windows anymore!

economiser

Traditionally radiators were installed under windows to counteract the downdraught and "cold" radiation from single glazed windows. It also avoided pattern staining effects from rising hot air from the radiator. It could also be that putting a radiator elsewhere used more valuable wall space which might be required for furniture like bed or wardrobe. When central heating became more common radiators tended to be located where, in retrofitting to existing houses, it was cheapest or easiest to install. With better insulated modern houses with double glazing the location is really a matter of convenience, so put it where it suits your room layout best.

DVardysShadow

gasbag1602 wrote: »

It is not best practice to put radiators under windows anymore!

It is so it is. [This old chestnut]

The reason is that the radiator supplies the heatlosses suffered by the room. So you put it by the window to supply the heatlosses directly and not get troubled by the circulating drafts if you put the radiator on an inside wall. Even with a modern well insulated house, the losses will be leaving through an outside wall, probably the one with a window. In terms of efficiency, you may think that it is less efficient to place the radiator by the window, but the extra you turn the heating up to compensate for drafts soon swallows that up.

The bit about modern houses is probably builders propaganda to cover up for using an inside wall to cut costs on pipework.

Doozergirl

Reading Homebuilding and Rewnovating yesterday and that still says to position under the window! Even with double glazing in a modern house it will still be slightly colder by the window as the U values aren't the same as the walls unless you've paid for fancy windows.

wallbash

. It could also be that putting a radiator elsewhere used more valuable wall space which might be required for furniture like bed or wardrobe

I think that I would sort out likely positions of furniture first, and then use left over space for the rad. Space must be more important than saving the small amount of heating costs when placing in the 'correct' position,


Ps Main advantage of a warm air system .:D

Doozergirl

wallbash wrote: »

I think that I would sort out likely positions of furniture first, and then use left over space for the rad. Space must be more important than saving the small amount of heating costs when placing in the 'correct' position,


Ps Main advantage of a warm air system .:D

I do agree that if it isn't convenient to put it under a window then it won't be the end of the world! But if you can then you may as well.

DVardysShadow

wallbash wrote: »

I think that I would sort out likely positions of furniture first, and then use left over space for the rad. Space must be more important than saving the small amount of heating costs when placing in the 'correct' position,


Ps Main advantage of a warm air system .:D

Usually the space under a window is free. It is not exactly the coiceposition for sitting or a bed in the heating season. Plus this is not just about costs. A radiator away from a window creates drafts

eco-friendly_2

wallbash wrote: »

I think that I would sort out likely positions of furniture first, and then use left over space for the rad. Space must be more important than saving the small amount of heating costs when placing in the 'correct' position,


Ps Main advantage of a warm air system .:D

Is that a grin or a smiley of chattering teeth?.....pfttt,


Under the window-always.

Poppy9

Can you still get curved radiators to fit under windows? I have two curved ones under my bay windows and they are showing their age. I've looked around for new ones with no luck. My sister had the same problem and had to relocate her radiator for a straight one on another wall.