Where to put a radiator

boo80

If anyone can advise I'd be very grateful!

We have a 3 bedroom terrace, the layout is a bit like this -
http://s973.photobucket.com/albums/ae212/boo80uk/?action=view&current=2270_8707_FLP_00_0000_l.jpg

We only have one radiator downstairs and it's in the dining room. I want to get another one put in on the wall next to the (not working, condemed) fire and also next to (but not behind) our TV. My OH wants to get one put in under the bay window.

My problem with his idea is that the window is rubbish and lets out loads of heat, and we have full length curtains so when they're drawn the radiator will surely be rendered useless. Also, because the wall under the window in really low we won't be able to put a cabinet over it, leaving it as a hazzard for our little ones.

OH's problem with where I want it is that he's worried about it being next to the TV, dvd, v+, router etc.. and the cables getting too hot and catching fire, and that we have a shelf that will be 50cm or 60cm above the top of where the radiator will be.

Soooo, can somebody please settle this argument! Thanks for reading. x x

PasturesNew

Have you thought about/read about skirting board radiators? It's really just the pipes running round the whole room, fronted by a fake skirting board.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=skirting+board+radiators&aq=f&aqi=g3g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&psj=1&fp=4e781b66e30e329a

And this integrated design was on Dragons' Den: http://www.discreteheat.co.uk/

DVardysShadow

boo80 wrote: »

We only have one radiator downstairs and it's in the dining room. I want to get another one put in on the wall next to the (not working, condemed) fire and also next to (but not behind) our TV. My OH wants to get one put in under the bay window.

My problem with his idea is that the window is rubbish and lets out loads of heat, and we have full length curtains so when they're drawn the radiator will surely be rendered useless. Also, because the wall under the window in really low we won't be able to put a cabinet over it, leaving it as a hazzard for our little ones.

OH's problem with where I want it is that he's worried about it being next to the TV, dvd, v+, router etc.. and the cables getting too hot and catching fire, and that we have a shelf that will be 50cm or 60cm above the top of where the radiator will be.

Soooo, can somebody please settle this argument! Thanks for reading. x x

OK, classic argument on these pages. Under the window or away from it. Your argument about the heat loss from the window is not the reason to put it somewhere else, it is actually the reason the put it under the window.

A radiator is basically there to supply the heat losses. If you put it away from the window, the way it will supply the heat losses is by a big convection loop with warm air rising and going to the window, cooling off and returning as cold air to the radiator at floor level. Consequence, warm head and cold feet from the draught you have set up - the worst combination for feeling cold.

As for a fire in the cables, no the radiator will not be hot enough for that directly, although it won't do the insulation much goood.

boo80

Thanks for the link PN, haven't heard of those before. Thanks for the info DVS, I think I get what you're saying, but won't full length curtains over the radiator stop the heat coming in when they're drawn?

ailuro2

Yes, that's why we have blinds and don't close the curtains.

fwiw Can you get the window replaced with a double glazed unit?

Is there a reason why are you not replacing the gas fire that has been condemned - it's a much cosier heat and provides a focal point for the room instead of having boring radiators.

boo80

It's got a back boiler, so eventually we want to get a new boiler put in upstairs, then we'll either replace or remove the fire, but we don't have the money atm.

The window is double glazed but I don't think it's very good because it's freezing behind the curtains in the the evening! We keep getting double glazing salesmen round telling us there is something wrong with it (there's condensation in between the glass) but I can't remember what they say. Again, we don't have the money for that job atm.

lucybel_2

It is ineffiecient to put radiators underneath windows and you will find that you get very little heat from it. Radiators should ideally be placed away from windows, gas fires are also a very expensive way to hest your home!

DVardysShadow

boo80 wrote: »

Thanks for the link PN, haven't heard of those before. Thanks for the info DVS, I think I get what you're saying, but won't full length curtains over the radiator stop the heat coming in when they're drawn?

Obviously curtains will not help if they cover the radiator. They should be cut to size or the radiator placed to the side of the window.

gas4you

Traditionally radiators are put under windows, because windows, even with modern double glazing are cold spots in a room.

If you put the radiator under the window, you will be heating the natural cold spot, so eliminating it from the equation of heating the room. This is always my preferred option for installations.

Putting a radiator on another wall will leave the cold spot intact, so even if the radiator has been sized correctly, it will not remove the cold spot.

Also the space under windows is often a 'wasted space' so using this is better than taking up another wall that can be used for standing something against it.

Radiators are usually placed on internal walls, back to back, by lazy installers, keeping costs and installation time to the minimum by reducing the amount of pipe work needed to connect them

DVardysShadow

lucybel wrote: »

It is ineffiecient to put radiators underneath windows and you will find that you get very little heat from it. Radiators should ideally be placed away from windows, ...

I refer you to my first post on this thread. However, if you like cold draughts round your feet, put the radiator as far from the window as you can go.

The heat losses are largely governed by the windows - the 'efficiency' of the radiator does not come into it. The idea is to place the radiator to get maximum comfort for the losses in the room. If you do that and avoid draughts around your feet you don't need to run the radiator so hot.

Don't forget to fit thermostatic valves - should cost no more than £10 extra if you do it when you have the radiator installed.

alexlyne

To put DVSs argument another way, consider this. The window is the coldest place in the room. The wall opposite is usually the warmest place in the room. If you put a radiator in the warmest place in the room, it will get even warmer, but by the window it will still be cold. Therefore the heat gradient across the room is even greater than before - you would notice it on a cold evening if you faced the radiator, your back would be cold. So by putting the radiator by the window you are levelling the temperature gradient across the room.

But yes, big curtains will negate any heat going into a room... so you may have to shorten the curtains, or tuck them behind the radiator which is not particularly good, but better than nothing.