We have low pressure hot water radiators in the main hall of our village hall. These are very old original double panel rads similar to the old steelrad radiators and are imperial sizes on imperial copper pipe.
Since the replacement boiler was fitter 15 months ago they keep the hall at an even temperature. Each rad has a 6" wooden shelf over the top which is either to direct the heat out into the room space or was put there to stop people bumping into the end of the rad itself.
The Mother and Toddlers group have recently raised an issue saying the surface temperature of the radiators is very hot and they are worried about children touching them. We have had the water temperature checked and its within limits, any lower and there is a chance the output of the LST Rads in the new annex will be insufficient to warm the rooms where installed.
I have just had a quick look at LST radiators and for 2M (6'6") long double panel rad you are looking at between £500 and £600 each and we have 5 to replace!!!
Another alternative would be to put radiator covers around them. These would probably be a lot cheaper than replacing the rads and would also camouflage the rads which are quite ugly.
My question relates to the design of these covers and any resultant reduction in heat output. I assume most of the heat from rads is by convection and the air passing though or behind the radiator and up into the room space. Any radiated heat is secondary to the main heat output. Would that be a fair assessment? If so there needs to be free airflow in the bottom and out the top of any rad cover. Is it still good practice though to have a grill or perforated front cover that allows heat out from the panel.
Any thoughts or tips on the best design would be gratefully received.
Alternatively would we be better just looking for suitable mesh guards that prevent direct contact with the radiator?
Fozzie
Since the replacement boiler was fitter 15 months ago they keep the hall at an even temperature. Each rad has a 6" wooden shelf over the top which is either to direct the heat out into the room space or was put there to stop people bumping into the end of the rad itself.
The Mother and Toddlers group have recently raised an issue saying the surface temperature of the radiators is very hot and they are worried about children touching them. We have had the water temperature checked and its within limits, any lower and there is a chance the output of the LST Rads in the new annex will be insufficient to warm the rooms where installed.
I have just had a quick look at LST radiators and for 2M (6'6") long double panel rad you are looking at between £500 and £600 each and we have 5 to replace!!!
Another alternative would be to put radiator covers around them. These would probably be a lot cheaper than replacing the rads and would also camouflage the rads which are quite ugly.
My question relates to the design of these covers and any resultant reduction in heat output. I assume most of the heat from rads is by convection and the air passing though or behind the radiator and up into the room space. Any radiated heat is secondary to the main heat output. Would that be a fair assessment? If so there needs to be free airflow in the bottom and out the top of any rad cover. Is it still good practice though to have a grill or perforated front cover that allows heat out from the panel.
Any thoughts or tips on the best design would be gratefully received.
Alternatively would we be better just looking for suitable mesh guards that prevent direct contact with the radiator?
Fozzie
