Radiator covers can be a really nice solution for hiding the old, boring and clumsy radiators and get a more stylish home. But the use of radiator covers has consequences for the performance of your radiators.
The radiators must use more energy to heat up the room to achieve the same temperature when there is a barrier between the radiator and the room.Therefore, it is important to consider which type of radiator cover you choose. We have the following advice for you below.
The most important thing is that you do not block your radiators. A bit like people, radiators need air around them to function properly. There must be at least four to five centimeters of air around the radiator - and therefore also between the radiator and a radiator cover.
Although there is air between the radiator and the radiator cover, it is important that the radiator cover is not massive. There must be either holes or grilles in the cover so that the air can circulate. The cold air must be able to penetrate at the bottom, and the warm air must be able to escape at the top.
It will always be slightly warmer between the radiator and the radiator cover than outside the cover. It is therefore a good idea to place the thermostat outside the cover, so you measure the room temperature and not the temperature behind the radiator cover.
When choosing radiator covers, make sure that it is easy to get to your radiator. Choose a cover with doors or one that is easy to remove and put back on, so it is easy to vent the radiator valve and clean the radiator. You can also intervene quickly if it the radiator is leaking or broken.
If you want to hide your radiators, you can do it both creatively and functionally. For example - have you thought about disguising your radiators as benches? Or place the radiators in the floor and use a floor grille as a radiator cover? If you consider placing the radiator in the floor, you should be aware of an additional heat loss, as many of the above advise will not be possible to follow. You should calculate with a heat loss of up to 20% depending on the radiator - but it is undeniably a beautiful solution if your floors are suitable for it.
With a radiator cover, there will always be an energy or heat loss. If you would like to avoid it, then it is better to choose radiators that you think are beautiful and that fit into your decor just as they are.
