Curtains over radiator

Grenage

EssexExile wrote: »

The difference will be in your fuel bills.

They haven't changed, and there isn't even a thermostat in the living room to call for heat.

AWomanNeedHelpPlease

What I do is have a full size curtains. When radiators on, I pin up the curtain using safety pins to keep cool air out, warm air in.

downhillfast

FreeBear wrote: »

In the days of single glazed windows, it was the traditional way of "doing things". But modern, efficient double (or even triple) glazing means less heat is lost through the window. Throw in some heavy thermal drapes, and there is even less need to place the radiator under a window.

But there are other advantages of having radiators on external walls such as giving the actual wall a bit of heat to prevent condensation and mould during colder months - especially if the wall is north facing. We've just had to move 2 radiators from internal walls back to the traditional 'under the window' spot for this very reason.

Niv

I have floor length curtains in one room. During the winter I just put the curtains on the window sill so that the rad is exposed.

Cyclamen

Can you fit ties to the curtains and fold or swag them up so they don't block radiator heat?

I too like the look of long curtains but in your situation would probably buy the longer ones and hem them up using the extra fabric for tie backs or cushion covers.

ashe

Grenage wrote: »

They haven't changed, and there isn't even a thermostat in the living room to call for heat.

Congratulations for having the first room that disobeys the laws of thermodynamics i guess then?

Suppose the key word is you haven't noticed. The room will either be colder with the heating on, or if working towards a temp via a thermostat, the heating is working harder, either that or you have subconsciously had the heating on less, or fuel costs fell with your provider but you didn't reap the benefits because of working harder to heat the room. It's ultimately one of these - OP can choose to live with whatever option they would pick, but they would have to pick one. You cant cover a radiator with curtains in front of a window and not either pay more, use it less or not feel the difference, because physics.

TELLIT01

Covering the radiator will make a huge difference to the amount of heat actually getting into the room. We have full length curtains in our bedroom and, depending on how cold it is, I either cover the radiator or tuck the curtain behind. Temperature difference can be felt in a matter of minutes.