Where should you not put a radiator?

Author: Madisen Crooks  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Keep it away from furniture Wherever you choose to put it, try not to position your radiator behind large items of furniture, such as the sofa or cabinets. Doing so will restrict the flow of hot air around the room.

Can I put a radiator anywhere?

The best place for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. This used to be under windows. However, in more modern double-glazed homes, there may not be a cold area, so you can put radiators where they won't affect the use of walls. A general rule is to have one radiator for every 4m or so in a room.

Is it bad to put a bed against a radiator?

Can a bed safely be placed next to a radiator? No, do not place your baby's cot next to a radiator or have a heat source like a portable heater directly aimed at your baby. It's not recommended to position baby's cot next to a radiator due to safety reasons.

Where is the best place to install a radiator?

Radiators should be positioned under the window - placing opposite a window will result in colder air from the window being drawn across the room. If placing it under a window is not possible, the next bext place is on the wall that is at 90 degrees to the window.

What should you not put near a radiator?

Radiators do get pretty hot when they're running, so you probably shouldn't put anything that can melt or catch on fire on top.

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Is it okay to put a TV near a radiator?

It is not advisable to position a radiator close to a TV, as the emerging heat could cause potential damage to the television.

Can I put my couch against a radiator?

Placing a sofa in front of a radiator is not recommended as it can obstruct the heat distribution and reduce the efficiency of your heating system. To maintain a comfortable and well-heated living space, it's essential to leave a sufficient gap of at least 12 inches (30 cm) between the sofa and the radiator.

Where should I put the radiator?

So it's recommended that you place your radiator in the horizontal space under the window. The heat will rise from the radiator, mixing with the cold air coming through the window which in turn will help the radiator's heat distribute around the room.

Is it okay to put a radiator under the window?

Installing a radiator under a window is still a very good option. Although modern double glazing gives you other places to choose from, they are still not 100% efficient at stopping cold air coming in. The area beneath a window is also a good place for a radiator because it's often free of furniture.

How much should it cost to put in a radiator?

Average cost to replace a car radiator

If you need to replace your radiator, you can expect to spend between $700 and $1,000. You can save on labor costs (about $300) by replacing the radiator yourself if you're experienced with auto DIY jobs.

Is it bad to sleep next to the radiator?

Beds should also have a small gap left between them and the radiator. There's the potential for rolling over and burning yourself in the night on a hot rad. Alternatively, sleeping too close to a radiator could you give you insomnia or give you a headache from over heating.

Where should a radiator be placed in a bedroom?

For even heating and the right comfort levels, most radiators are best placed in the coldest part of the room, traditionally found under a window or against an outside wall, where the cold air drops to the floor helping create convection inside the room i.e., pushing the warm air from the radiator into the room.

Can things catch fire on a radiator?

Putting furniture against a running electric or steam radiator can create a significant fire hazard and is not recommended. Upholstery is often treated with chemicals that can easily ignite when combined with extreme heat, and some radiators can become hot enough to scorch wood, fabric and other furniture materials.

How close can a radiator be to furniture?

The furniture would prevent heat from being distributed freely throughout the room, and could be damaged over time from the close exposure to heat. You should attempt to leave around 6 to 12 inches (15-30cm) between any furniture and your heating appliance to ensure free movement of air and better distribution of heat.

Can I relocate my radiator?

Rerouting. When you are moving the radiator from one wall to another, you will need to reroute the plumbing pipes so that you can utilize them. You might need a pipe cutter for this. You can now install the pipe fittings to connect the radiator in its new location.

Where to put a radiator in a hallway?

For example, if the hallway is long and narrow, the radiator should be placed along one of the long walls to evenly distribute heat. Type: The type of radiators will also affect its placement. For example, panel radiators are typically thinner than other types of radiators, so they can be installed in narrower spaces.

Can you put a radiator anywhere?

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.

Why do builders put radiators under windows?

Putting a radiator under the window helps to avoid cold draughts at foot level which would cause discomfort and would also help to make the temperature more equal at all levels in the room, again avoiding discomfort.

What should you not put around a radiator?

Chairs, sofas, couches, and other furniture will interfere with the circulation of heat generated from the unit. Items touching the radiator can also overheat and cause damage to the item or injuries and fire hazards for the people in the home.

How much clearance do you need around a radiator?

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.

Where is the best place to put a radiator in a kitchen?

A great place for radiators to sit in any room is underneath a window, as the air coming in assists the flow of heat around the room.

Can I put a sofa in front of a radiator?

It's not a good idea to place a sofa, or any other large furniture, in front of a radiator. A sofa would block heat from travelling freely around the room, and could suffer potential long-term damage from a close level of heat exposure.

Can you put a desk against a radiator?

The recommended clearance largely depends on the type of radiator and the heat it emits. Generally, a clearance of at least 12 inches (30 cm) is advisable. This allows for proper air circulation, preventing the desk from blocking the heat output and reducing the risk of overheating.

Can I mount a TV above a radiator?

Having adequate ventilation is essential for safely mounting a TV over a radiator. The temperature that the TV is exposed to is lowered with the aid of adequate air circulation. Make sure there is enough room for air to travel between the TV and the radiator if you are thinking of setting this up.

How to stop sofa blocking radiator?

If, however, it is unavoidable to place furniture in front of your central heating radiators, then the recommended method is to pull the furniture away slightly and give the radiator as much gap as possible. The more space there is between, the more this will help the convection system and the radiation.

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