radiators under windows

[dfen5]

Having the new system and rads put in on Monday. Is there any real reason to keep the original positions of the rads under the windows? Some rooms will have to be, others there's room to put them elsewhere and suit the layout. Any thoughts?

[grumbledoak]

Used to be so the draughts would fall down through the rad, warming them up to rise in the centre of the room, so I'm told. No idea how that all interacts with modern double glazing.

[Phooey]

Decorating one of the bedrooms now, and wanted to put full length curtains up. Problem is, our rad is under the window and apparently curtains over radiator is a big

Was tempted to move it to another wall and have a tall upright rad similar to what we have downstairs - these long traditional rads can be a pain in the ass sometimes.

[Simpo Two]

Aother reason for being under windows is that they don't get in the way of any full-height wallspace.

[Phooey]

Simpo Two said:

Aother reason for being under windows is that they don't get in the way of any full-height wallspace.

Absolutely, tbh doesn't matter where you put them - they will *always* be in the bl00dy way



Underfloor next time

[dirkgently]

dfen5 said:

Having the new system and rads put in on Monday. Is there any real reason to keep the original positions of the rads under the windows? Some rooms will have to be, others there's room to put them elsewhere and suit the layout. Any thoughts?

The rads are placed under the windows to prevent drafts developing.
The cold air falling from the window meets the warm air rising from the rad, this cancels or slows the convection current. If you place the rads opposite the windows the warm air from the rad will rise to the ceiling, travel across the room and cool and fall,it then meets the cold air from the window which reinforces it and a draft develops, just like a sea breeze.

[Beardy10]

I was told by an architect (so it could be wrong) that the reason radiators were placed under windows was to help with the distribution of the heat.

[dirkgently]

Beardy10 said:

I was told by an architect (so it could be wrong) that the reason radiators were placed under windows was to help with the distribution of the heat.

See above ;-)

[dfen5]

Having just spent the day pulling out most of the old single pipe system they can stay there. The thought of cutting mora boards and channeling joists has put me off. Fortunately I was able to track most of the runs due to the original installer cutting the tongue/groove and then screwing down the boards. Some rubbish fitting in there (cold papes touching hot for yards, bent nails supporting pipe runs, bends tightly clamped by wood and so on). No wonder it used to clank and creak when heating/cooling with every burn of the boiler.
What a pain - these plumbers earn there money on jobe like this. Only pulled it all to help out as the gas leak bought forward the job. One old rad has leaked and damaged the plaster/skirting too (now replaced/refinished.

[Plotloss]

They're also under windows as windows are generally under one another.

Makes the pipe work easier.

[anonymous-user]

I always wondered this, doesn't the second law of Thermodynamics say heat goes from hot to cold?, so any drafts passing over the raditor are hot air on the way out, not heating cold air coming in?

[XJSJohn]

what are these radiator things that you speak of?