Radiator replace or relocate?

mutley74

The house I am looking to buy has 2 bay windows with curved radiators directly in front. The radiators are about 15+ years old and have no thermostatic valves.

From past experience of living in a house with a bay window it was always hard to place a curtain behind the radiator to stop losing heat at winter time.

I was thinking on installing new thermostatic valves but also consider it is worth replacing the radiator with a new type in a different part of the room?
Was thinking of something like this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/oceanus-flat-vertical-designer-radiator-white-1800-x-595mm-3782btu/21119


Do radiators need to be fitted by windows? Any advice appreciated.
(BTW boiler is less than 6 years old)
The rooms are Victorian style so quite big rooms.

ariba10

A window is a source of heat loss.
Cold air is lighter than warm air and falls. The reasoning in putting the rads under the window is to counteract that.

(Keeps your feet warm)

adandem

I think if your windows are fairly airtight it's okay to relocate. Not sure on the style in your link, depends on the style of your interior as they look quite modern to me.

ed110220

ariba10 wrote: »

A window is a source of heat loss.
Cold air is lighter than warm air and falls. The reasoning in putting the rads under the window is to counteract that.

(Keeps your feet warm)

This was the traditional way of doing it and many still take it as gospel. However that was in the days when the average window was single glazed and draughty. These days it is much less of an issue and many would argue that with better windows it is best not to have the radiator under the window for energy saving reasons.

None of our radiators are under our standard double glazed windows due to house construction, the living room window almost extending to the floor etc. I prefer it that way - no fiddling about with trying to get the curtains behind the radiator... and somehow in my mind it seems tidier too.

Ed

mutley74

thanks windows are double glazed.
looking at the downstairs bay it is tight up against the wall of the window so no space to tuck a curtain behind.
probably look to change & move; agree that my earlier link was probably not suitable for this type of house. thanks for help

tonyh66

cold air is not lighter than warm air, if it was, then cold air would rise not fall.
Good luck with the radiator I know what you mean about not getting the curtain behind them. You could look to see if you can get brackets to bring it further off the wall and the just stick a TRV onto the existing rad.

mutley74

anyone recommend a good website where you can order radiators cheaper than buying direct from B&Q or Wickes or Screwfix