Radiators should typically be mounted so that the foot of the radiator is positioned a minimum of 150mm from the floor – though anywere from around 100mm x 150mm should suffice if your space allows.
Radiator height and width
Wall space is another important consideration when deciding on the right size radiator for your room. For example, if there is limited horizontal space in the room then a very popular solution is to choose a vertical radiator.
Wall Mounting Your Electric Radiator
Maintain an appropriate distance between the radiator and the floor (typically 10-20 cm) as well as proper spacing from the wall (2-5 cm), ensuring adequate airflow around the radiator and enabling efficient heat circulation in your room.
Central Heating Radiators
Heights range from 300mm to 900mm while widths range between 300mm and 1960mm - ideal for almost any space!
With so many different-sized radiators now available, there are likely to be several possible places where you could put your radiators. We recommend however that nothing is positioned above the radiator and that 100mm below should be left clear so heat from the radiator can be effectively distributed.
Radiators should typically be mounted so that the foot of the radiator is positioned a minimum of 150mm from the floor – though anywere from around 100mm x 150mm should suffice if your space allows.
BestHeating would recommend leaving 50mm above, and 100mm below your radiators, to make sure they offer the most efficient and effective means to heat the room they occupy.
Avoid putting furniture in front of your radiator as this blocks the heat and stops it from being able to travel to other parts of the room. Instead, keep furniture at least 60 centimetres away from radiators so that heat can freely circulate around the room.
Recommended Minimum Clearances
The forward edge of the fan blades should be at least 1 in. from the radiator. The tips of the blades should clear the edge of the shroud by at least 1 in. The backside of the fan blades should clear any other obstruction by at least ½ in.
Measure Height of Heater Unit
Measure from the bottom of finned heating element to the top of existing back plate. This measurement is typically 5" - 6-3/4" with standard installations. With a 7-1/2" overall installation height, there will be a 3/4" space between the floor and bottom of the replacement cover.
Gas heaters need at least 3 feet (36 inches) of clearance from ceilings and walls due to their higher heat output and potential gas ventilation needs. Electric heaters, on the other hand, often require only 15–25 cm above and around them because they are designed to direct heat more efficiently and safely.
However, this is a so-called free convection, which is due to differences in density between the warm and cool air. The characteristic of this free convection is the reason why radiators are ideally always installed below a window and not above. Why? The relatively cool air near the floor is heated by the radiator.
If a radiator is to be installed under a window, the height of the radiator depends on the distance between the windowsill and the floor. The lower edge of the radiator should be placed at least 10 cm above the floor and the upper one at least 10 cm below the sill.
To measure the height, you want to use a tape measure and note the length from the bottom of the radiator to the top of the radiator. It's very important to measure the radiator itself, ignoring the gap from the bottom of the radiator to the floor.
The traditional place to position your radiator is the coldest part of the room. Whether that's beneath your window or against the wall. This is due to conduction, with incoming cold air causing more effective heat conduction and pushing the hot air from your radiator into the middle of the room.
It's a good idea to fit your heated towel rail at an accessible, functional height to suit all bathroom users. Generally speaking, they're installed around 1.2 to 1.5 metres from floor level; at shoulder height.
Recommended height from the floor to the base of the radiator is 150mm minimum. This allows adequate airflow when the radiator is placed on the bracket.
For the most effective and efficient distribution of heat, BestHeating would recommend leaving a clearance of 50mm above, and 100mm below your radiators. By creating clearances of these sizes at either end of your radiators, you can guarantee the warmth emitted from them will be able to travel around the room freely.
For ceiling fans, the recommended installation height is at least 2.1m from the floor to the fan blades and at least 300mm from the ceiling.
Preventing heat damage
It's recommended to maintain a gap of at least one foot (12 inches) between your furniture and radiators. However, for extra protection, you can also use insulated or reflective barriers as heat protectors to safeguard your furniture from the adverse impact of radiator heat.
Measure the height of your radiator and add 50mm to calculate the required height measurement for your radiator covers. When measuring the height of your radiator, you may find that your floor isn't level. Be sure to measure both sides of the radiator, especially if the radiator measures 1800mm or longer.
Wondering how to move a radiator a few inches? It's surprisingly not that complicated. You'll still need to ask a plumber to relocate your pipework, although this will likely be less time consuming and complex than adding entirely new pipework.
The last measurement you should check is the distance from the face of the fan to the radiator. There should be at least 1 inch of clearance between the two. This is to accommodate normal engine and radiator movement, and also the flex that occurs in the fan blades at higher engine rpm.
What size radiator do I need? We recommend choosing a radiator size that is within a 10% range of your calculated BTU requirement. If it's a choice between buying a radiator that is too small, versus buying one that is too big, it's always best to buy one that is too large and oversize the radiator.
It is perfectly safe to put things above a radiator. As long as you leave at least a 5cm gap above the top of the radiator to allow the heat to circulate properly. The more empty wall space you leave above the radiator the better.