old radiators

[strain]

I have two old radiators in a through lounge - no fins or backing behind them - the lounge is an outside wall and cold in the winter. the room is being decorated - will I benefit from new radiators with thermostatic valves?

[Ethel]

The best thing you can do, and one of the cheapest, is to fit reflectors behind each radiator.

http://www.diynot.com/shop/RADIATOR_REFLECTOR_ FOIL_5M_X_5M/6354

It throws all the heat in to the room. I have affixed a hardwood frame to the wall behind the radiators which is varnished. The foil sits within this. That means that when I decorate there is no need to take the radiators off the wall.

It is hardly noticeable.

Price up new radiators and valves by all means - it would be a good thing to replace them if you can afford it.

[KARL]

Any replacements should have the same or greater output, something that is certain if you replace old types with the latest and in the same size - they will have a greater output. Thermostatic valves will allow automated control whereby they will shut off the flow once the immediate area has reached the temperature for the chosen valve setting. As well as staying open until the place is warm enough, the valves will allow you to keep the room cool if that is what you want (!) - for this simply set the valve lower. Radiators in themselves are not very expensive, and you can do the work yourself fairly easily, just take correct measures to prevent flooding when disconnecting the old ones. Make certain you add inhibitor to the circulating water - by far the most cost-effective measure available in these matters.

[Hard@it]

To fit insulation correctly behind the radiators, you may, or may not, have to remove the radiators. If so why don't you replace them with double panels with fins, ( same length and height), and get the utmost output, plus the insulation factor.
Radiators are reasonably priced unless your rads. are larger than average. Hope this gives you food for thought Hard@it

[mosxu]

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