Where is the best to put a radiator; under a window, near door etc?

Question

I'm having a new heating system installed and want to maximise the heat and minimise the heat loss by putting the radiators in the best location. I live in a 3 bed terraced house.

Answer 1

it doesn't really matter these days.

Radiators generally go under windows for 2 reasons. They convect heat up and so reduce drafts ( not such a reaons with double glazing these days ) and the window wall is not so useful for pieces of furniture so the radiator would be best there, leaving the other 3 walls clear.

I'm not convinced by either arguement, i think long curtains over a window do good, so you are stuck if you have a radiator under the window.

I see you are in a terraced house, the outside wall walls would be best if you have no real reason to put them anywhere. It helps reduce condensation. You'll get some thermal protection from your neighbours.

Hope it goes well, looks like you're in for a cosy winter !

Answer 2

Radiator Under Window

Answer 3

Do not put a radiator under a window at any cost all you do is send the heat outside when you close the blinds/curtains it used to be the done thing to put under windows, but has been found to be silly due to heat loss through windows. the best system is underfloor and as you are having a new system fitted there are a tremendous selection of stylish radiators on the market if you don't want underfloor that is due to cost or time look around before you commit is my advice good luck and keep warm

Answer 4

Install radiators where you cannot put furniture. There are two places in a room, under the window ,and behind the door.
For some reason builders put them under the windows thus preventing you from having nice comfortable long curtains.
I always put them behind the door, where they are out of sight.
I am assuming of course that your door opens in a correct fashion, that is when the door is fully open it should be parallel with the wall, again builders for some obscure reason sometimes install the door the wrong way round so that it enters the room, and makes the room smaller.
I moved into a house 5 years ago, and all the doors were back-to-front, i got a joiner to put the hinges in the other side, swopped the doors around, and hey-oresto made the rooms bigger. I unfortunately had to get an electrician to swap over the light switches,!!!!!!!!
Don't bother with foil behind the rads, its a gimmick, usually sold in order to "SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT" by people selling around the doors, I will not mention their names,

Answer 5

Usually under a window is best for various reasons, It warms up cold air at the window area and stops cold draughts, some will argue that there is more heat loss at the window, before the room gets heated. Also the window areas are usually free of furniture. However many installers fit them close to the door, not because it's any better, but to save lifting floorboards and using a bit more pipe. Try to fit it in with your furniture layout, you can always move one or two later if the layout changes.

Answer 6

During my experiance of fitting them for many years the idealogy altered from under a window to an external wall. The thinking behind it used to be that under a window they would warm any draughts coming in around that area.

With the introduction of double glazing and the thought that single glazing would allow a lot of the heat to escape radiators started to be put in other positions.

From a practicle point of view, if you have long curtains do not put them under a window if you do not they are the best place as they are usualy free of furniture being placed in front of them.

The heat can be detrimental to the furniture and also restrict the convection.

Answer 7

The smart thing to do is to install a tin foil sheet behind the radiator to ensure the heat doesn't go through the wall.

Don't put under the window unless you plan on heating the street

Answer 8

I would check out radiant floor heating first. Same concept but FAR more efficient and comfortable since heat goes through everything in the home. Your chairs and sofas will be warm! More expensive to start but pays off for sure and is a prime home improvement for resale later. Price is coming down with modern manufacturing methods. Otherwise, place the rads near windows so they warm the coolest air in the home: Any door that is used regularly is not a good idea since heat will get sucked out.

Answer 9

Cold air 'tumbles' down from a window and therefore the radiator needs to be below the window in order to combat this cooling effect.

Answer 10

Underfloor heating rather than radiators so you have capacity to place furniture wherever you want it. Remember to insulate walls etc to reduce heat loss which can be enormous from three bed house. Check grants from local council etc.