Why are radiators under windows?

This is something most of us learn in school and it helps to explain why radiators are located underneath windows. As the hot air rises from the radiator, the cold air that is coming in through the window pushes against the warm air, circulating it around the room much more efficiently.

Is it good to put radiators under windows?

The area beneath a window is also a good place for a radiator because it's often free of furniture. It makes sense to install a rad here because there's no large pieces of furniture in the way to block hot air from circulating around the room.

Why do people put radiators in front of windows?

Historically, older windows would be single glazed, and this type of window used to let a lot of cold air into the room. This is one of the reasons the radiator was placed in this location as it would then help counteract the cold air and draft.

Why are radiators behind curtains?

The rising hot air from a radiator meets the falling cold air from the window, which would otherwise collect on the floor of the room.

Does a radiator under a window cause condensation?

You bring your washing inside to dry on your radiators and this in turn releases excess moisture in to the air. Then, you close your curtains which traps the warm air from the radiators around the area of the window. When the warm damp air lands on your windows, it forms water droplets. I.e, condensation.

How To Install A Radiator Under A Window

Why are radiators under windows Spanish flu?

CHANG: This design philosophy took off after the 1918 flu pandemic and its threat of airborne viruses. So these radiators were designed to heat a room on the coldest day of the year with the window wide open, and then these radiators got even hotter as people switched from coal to other fuels.

How close can a radiator be to a window sill?

Aim for a minimum of 100mm (4") between the top of the radiator and the bottom of the sill. More is fine. Less than that and the radiator begins to look a little cramped.

Do radiator covers block the heat coming out?

Poorly designed radiator covers can cause heat loss, in a nutshell. Anything that blocks a radiator's airflow reduces its efficiency. Some radiator covers can actually trap heat and affect your thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) reading – confusing your entire central heating system.

Does having a radiator cover block heat?

Of course, putting a solid object around your heat source will have an effect on the heat output as it acts as a barrier. However, a radiator cover will not block too much heat as long as your cover has gaps and slots for heat to escape, and warm the air up through convection.

Is it OK for curtains to touch radiator?

Curtains can catch fire from electric radiators if the radiator is close to a curtain made of flammable material. Water radiators usually don't get hot enough to cause curtains to catch fire, but the radiator could still burn any fragile materials nearby.

Can you put a radiator anywhere?

If you go for a plug-in electric wall radiator you can hang it wherever you have a plug socket. This should be easy enough to do yourself.

How do you dress a window with a radiator underneath?

Floor-length curtains work best with radiators under the windows, but closing them means they'll block the heat generated by the radiator. Generally, pairing up floor-length curtains with other window coverings can do the trick.

Should I put foil behind my radiators?

Silver foil placed down the back of a radiator will reflect heat back into a room rather than letting it uselessly escape through the walls of a house. Do-it-yourself buffs suggest wrapping the foil round pieces of cardboard which have been cut to the right size to make it easier to fit.

Where should a radiator be in a room?

The traditional place to position your radiator is the coldest part of the room. Whether that's beneath your window or against the wall. This is due to conduction, with incoming cold air causing more effective heat conduction and pushing the hot air from your radiator into the middle of the room.

Do tall radiators give out heat?

yes. That's because even though, as a general rule of thumb, vertical designer radiators do not achieve the same heating performance of more traditional, horizontal radiators, if you do your homework and choose the right model, you can find a solution that not only looks great, but heats your room efficiently too.

Is it expensive to move a radiator?

Moving a radiator costs less for electric radiators than for central heating radiators. The cost of moving a radiator to another wall is higher than moving it a few inches due to additional pipework being needed. Jobs to temporarily remove a radiator for decorating work are priced lower than work to move radiators.

Can sofa go in front of radiator?

You can put a sofa in front of a radiator, but you must make sure it is at least one foot away. Keeping this distance is important, as it allows heat to circulate through the room properly and protects your furniture from any damage from the heat of the radiator.

Should you cover radiators with clothes?

If you absolutely must dry your clothes indoors, make sure to do so in a well-ventilated room and avoid covering up radiators. You should never use an electric radiator heater to dry clothes as this poses a significant fire hazard.

Can you put a TV on top of a radiator cover?

It is definitely possible to put a TV on a wall above a radiator, but it may not always be advisable. Your TV may not work if it overheats and your radiator may be so efficient at pumping out heat that it makes your TV too hot.

Can you put wood on top of a radiator?

Even though wood does insulate to some degree, you should still avoid putting anything on them that could be affected by heat on them.

How much space should be between radiator and cover?

For your radiator to be efficient with a cover you should ensure there is enough space between the radiator and the cover. The radiator cover should, if possible, be wider than the radiator by at least: 5cm in width. 3cm in height.

Can a radiator cover touch the radiator?

Benefits of radiator covers

Radiator covers reduce the likelihood of fires and physical burns because they act as a layer of protection between the radiator and everything it may touch.

Where is the best place to put a radiator?

The best place for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. This used to be under windows. However, in more modern double-glazed homes, there may not be a cold area, so you can put radiators where they won't affect the use of walls. A general rule is to have one radiator for every 4m or so in a room.

Should radiator be above skirting board?

If the pipework is coming from the wall, the pipes should never penetrate through the skirting. The radiator should move higher on the wall so that the pipes come through the wall above the skirting's.

Can you put a bed in front of a radiator?

Beds. Beds should also have a small gap left between them and the radiator. There's the potential for rolling over and burning yourself in the night on a hot rad. Alternatively, sleeping too close to a radiator could you give you insomnia or give you a headache from over heating.