Sofa against Radiator

[robmorris]

Hi all

I have little space in my living room and no option but to have my sofa in front of my radiator.

I assume most of the heat is being wasted and going into the back of the sofa?

Are there any recommendations of how to make it more economical?

IE Placing Spacers / Radiator cover with top vent only? etc

Cheers

[dewaltdisney]

Radiators actually work by convection more than radiation. The heat rises and this in turn displaces the cooler air downward and a cycle of warming and cooling keeps the ambient temperature in the room comfortable. I would not worry about it unless the room feels cold in which case it is more an issue with thermo control than the rad itself.

DWD

[wine~o]

What DWD said, providing there is a reasonable gap behind the sofa for the hot air to rise...if a leather sofa a bigger gap as the radiant heat will dry the leather out and could ruin it..

[robmorris]

Thanks guys and this does make sense.

The sofa is right up against the rad despite regularly moving it away - I think sousomend kind of spacer is in order..

[jg]

Is there an air gap below the sofa?

Try an unscientific test of taping a strip of loo roll or newspaper to the wall above the radiator, see how much it floats up with the air current.
Now put the sofa in front of the radiator and see if the lift is reduced much.

As long as air can get under the radiator and out the top, it should be fine.