We’re always looking for ways to improve our homes, they are our safe place and a space we want to feel welcoming and cosy. Creating a warm, inviting environment is easy with radiators to suit all rooms, there is something for everyone’s taste, whether that’s a statement chrome radiator, adding a pop of colour with a designer radiator or saving yourself some money with energy-efficient radiators. If you’re struggling to place your new radiator, here are some top tips to help you choose the best location.
The coldest part of the room
Traditionally, placing your radiator in the coldest part of the room was recommended. Commonly, this was either underneath a window or against a wall. This traditional method works as cold air coming into the radiator carries more effective heat conduction, meaning that the cold air coming in is pushed away into the middle of the room as hot air. This method could still be useful now if you find you have a particularly cold spot in the room, however with insulation improving in houses these days, this might not be the case for you.
Windows
As mentioned above, you can still place your radiator in front of a window if this is what the space in your room allows for. If you live in an older home with single glazing, the cold air coming in from the window will mix with the hot air rising from the radiator and move it around the room. This method for heating the room only tends to work in older homes and is not particularly efficient. But if your house is well insulated, placing your radiator under a window is still a way of filling a space that would be otherwise bare.
Pipework
Where you choose to place your radiator may come down to whether you’re prepared to move your pipes. If your radiator pipework is already situated in one place, it may seem logical for you to decide to stick with the placement and simply plumb in a radiator in the space available. If you want to totally change the placement of your radiator, this can be done without too much interruption with the help of a plumber.
Space
Deciding where to place a radiator could come down to where you have space, that isn’t taken up or blocked by other pieces of furniture. There is a solution for everyone nowadays, with radiators no longer being confined to your standard column design. If you have a narrower, vertical space you could choose a radiator to fill the gap, or if you only have space under your window, a horizontal radiator might be more your thing. There truly is something for everyone, from designer radiators, with different colours and designs to choose from.
Avoid furniture
It is essential that you don’t place furniture such as a sofa or full-length, heavy curtains in front of your radiators. If you do this, the heat your radiators give out will be absorbed and will stop heat from circulating through the room. It can also mean that you must turn your heating up to get your room to the temperature you require – which can be costly!
