Radiator Positioning: Should you Move When you Upgrade?

Upgrading your radiators should hopefully keep your house cosy and warm during even the coldest days. But you might be wondering whether you also need to reposition these radiators to ensure maximum efficiency and function.

In this blog post, we’re going to have a look at why radiator placement matters, whether or not you’ll need to move yours, and our recommendations for best radiator positions.

Does radiator placement matter?

Radiator placement has a strong direct impact on their efficiency, and the heating they provide. So yes, radiator placement matters significantly.

Radiators are often placed underneath windows to combat the cold air or drafts that come into the house from these areas, counteracting the cooling effect when turned on. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean underneath a window is automatically the best option, as there are other factors to consider.

It’s also important to think about heat distribution. Positioning radiators too close together or too far apart is counterproductive, so think about having them evenly placed, not forgetting to take cold spots or drafty areas into account.

Placement also has a heavy impact on energy efficiency. Positioning a radiator against a cold exterior wall sometimes forces your heating system to work harder, thus burning more energy.

Should you reposition your radiator after upgrading them?

After replacing your radiator, whether or not you should reposition one or multiple radiators depends on a few things. You might want to consider repositioning if:

In some cases, it won’t be necessary to reposition your radiator after upgrading them. If the upgrade is solely because you wanted a bit of extra heat, or because your old radiator had started to break down, it’s unlikely that you will need to move them. Hopefully, upgrading to modern radiators will provide enough additional heat and efficiency to heat your home.

If you’re considering upgrading or moving your radiators, get in touch.

Should you move radiators when you upgrade your boiler?

Generally, you won’t need to move your radiator when you upgrade your boiler. However, in some cases, it’s worth considering:

It’s important to note that moving a radiator is a difficult job which involves system flushing and pipework alterations. You’ll need a professional plumber to safely and effectively do this job without risking damaging components, or even your property.

Where should upgraded radiators be positioned?

Where you position your upgraded radiators depends on their size and type.

Designer:
If you’ve opted for designer radiators, there’s likely to be a specific area you want them to be in for aesthetic reasons. Whilst you can position your designer radiator to suit the aesthetic of your space, we’d recommend taking into account previously mentioned factors such as heat efficiency and size suitability.

Vertical:
If you’ve upgraded to vertical radiators, you should position them on walls with less horizontal, but more vertical wall space. This way, you get the most out of the vertical design and the radiators won’t look out of space.

Living Room:
In areas such as your living room, note what areas you’re most likely to be sitting at, and whether there are any drafts from windows or doors which impact comfort in this room. Your upgraded radiators should be placed underneath windows if they allow a lot of cool air into the living room.

Otherwise, we’d recommend that you take both aesthetics and efficiency into account when choosing where to position your upgraded radiators. Consider the factors we mentioned earlier in this blog, or speak to the experts at Lacey Plumbing to help make your decision.