Radiator Cabinets

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

Thinking of putting two radiator cabinets in my house, but thinking they may block some heat. Any one use these and how much heat do they block if any.

[Mike Jackson]

Depends on the cabinet and radiator style. Most modern radiators rely on convection up behind and through the radiator for transmission of heat so you need to make sure that the cabinet has got plenty of room to allow air movement, especially above the radiator. If you block the top of the radiator you will stop convection which generally accounts for a good 75% of the heat output of most modern radiators. Also remember that if your radiators are fitted with thermostatic valves they will shut off before the room gets to heat due to the trapped heat in the cabinet. Ideally if thermostatic valves are fitted remote sensor heads should be fitted.

Mike

[Paul mabbott]

... well.... but an amount of heat is radiated and this will, presumably, be all cut off (or at least returned to the radiator-water) if the radiator is enclosed by a non-conducting cabinet.
Hopefully the radiator will have been backed by a reflecting insulation sheet so no heat will be going in that direction; if there is a lid above the radiator, that will stop any convection ..... so where exactly will heat be leaving the radiator?

I'm only thinking on the basis of cabinets I've seen advertised. ...... what sort of model were you thinking of getting?

[Fuzzy-felt bloke]

I was thinking of buying the one from Screwfix, all of these cabinets have openings at the floor and at the top for convection to take place.

Fuzzy-Felt Bloke