Radiator Positioning

[nstreet]

I have just moved to a new property, the upstairs rads are not beneath the windows, which i thought was the norm. There is ample space for the rads under the window, are there any situations where you wouldn't do this?

 

[oilman]

Where you want floor length curtains, or want to put furniture under the window, or have a gravity fed system with large expensive pipes.

 

[nstreet]

Thanks oilman,

unfortunately non of the above are true, maybe its just a case of 'easier that way' for the plumber who did the installation.

 

[oilman]

You asked in what circumstances you would not have radiators under the windows.

I gave you examples of such circumstances.

you wrote:

unfortunately non of the above are true,.......

I would like to state unequivocally, you are WRONG. The above ARE true, otherwise I would not have bothered wasting my time in telling you.

I fix oilboilers, I come across a few heating systems. I know that gravity systems have been installed with all of the radiators clustered upstairs and downstars close to the centre of the house using large pipes and cast iron radiators. This saved expense on the pipes and fittings and the significant amount of water which would otherwise have been contained in the pipes.

I also know of people who had radiators positioned so they could put furniture under the windows.

Mrs. Oilman makes curtains for some particularly well placed people. They are quite well off and have rather expensive curtains which hang from ceiling to floor and to cover a radiator would mean the heat went out of the window when the curtains were drawn.

I'm sorry my reply didn't agree with your cynical prejudice about tradesmen, but rest assured the circumstances I described exist in REAL life.

 

[Plumber Will]

As long as the radiator is the correct size to heat the room it doe's not matter where it is situated. Some architects now have them placed on the wall furthest from the widow to prevent heat loss.

 

[Plumber Will]

I agree with Oilman.

 

[masona]

I was taught the reason for radiator under the window was as cold air come into the room from the window glass being cold,the radiator turn the cold air into warm air so therefore no draughty cold area,it is the best the place to have it.

I have 2 radiators in my lounge one under the window and one on the side wall,I turn off the window radiator and guess what there was cold draught round the room.

And also if you open your curtain slightly you will get cold air round your neck if sitting on the armchair.

Mrs Mason is also a curtain maker and made ceiling to floor curtain and the draught is unbelievable coming from the bottom and sides.

Sorry nstreet,Oilman is spot on....

 

[breezer]

Perhaps its me, but i read

Thanks oilman,

unfortunately non of the above are true, maybe its just a case of 'easier that way' for the plumber who did the installation.

meaning in his case "none of the above are true" in other words he is saying in his house they have no long curtains etc.

after all, the first thing he said was "thanks oilman"

 

[masona]

I just re-read it again,maybe you're right Breezer.

Sorry nstreet,I will be going to bed early tonight

 

[oilman]

Hi Breezer, I replied to

are there any situations where you wouldn't do this?

nsteet's subsequent reply contained:

..........maybe its just a case of 'easier that way' for the plumber who did the installation.

I might have read in the way you suggested but for this. It might have been that (at least for the two not involving a gravity system) the previous owners had furniture under the windows or had floor length curtains for all I know. Regardless the original question appeared to be asking for general situations where radiators would not be put under windows.

 

[masona]

I'm even more confused,you maybe right oilman Oh sod it,I won't be going to bed early tonight,straight down to the pub instead.

 

[oilman]

Good idea Masona, you'll probably see Plumber Will down there, (though he's trying to get me to beieve he's drinking bottles of champagine at home)

 

[Plumber Will]

Burp!

 

[ollski]

depends who fitted it originally...the cheap and cheerful brigade will fit your rads back to back to keep the cost down, can't do that under a window

 

[nstreet]

Hey Guys,

There seems to be some confusion here.

First off I'm not a cynic about tradesmen, if I was I wouldn't post in this forum. I value your opinions and knowledge that you share.

I wasn't saying that the facts oilman told me was a load of b*****it. I was saying that in my situation, non of these seemed likely. The property is a chalet bungalow. All the radiators bar the two in the upstairs bedrooms are positioned under windows, I cant see any fixing scars under the windows, so unless the property has had a real good plastering, I must assume that they were never there. I just want to make sure that I don't get in the SH 1 T when I move them.

Hope this makes it all a bit clearer, as you've upset me I'm off down the pub now. Cheers.