Can I put a towel on top of a radiator?
Aside from any other issues, draping wet clothes or towels over a radiator insulates heat and prevents it from circulating properly. This will affect any heaters but certain types, such as convector radiators, function by creating hot air currents and will be far less effective when covered by wet material.
I'll assume its an old-fashioned cast-iron radiator. In that case, yes, anything you put on the radiator will interfere with heat transfer into the room. Towels stacked on top of the radiator will slow down the convective movement of air through the radiator.
Scientists warn that people could be helping mould to thrive by drying their clothes on radiators. This mould can subsequently cause Aspergillosis, a fungal condition that can affect the respiratory system, and can spread to anywhere in the body.
Because most covers have elevated tops, the covers' tops are significantly cooler, and this allows select items to be placed there. Even heat-sensitive items like plants can be placed on a well-insulated radiator cover.
When you hang wet clothes on a radiator or clothes horse to dry, the water evaporates out of the fabric, where it turns into moisture in the air. Too much moisture in the air leads to condensation, which can form on walls, windows, mirrors or any other surfaces which the damp air comes into contact with.
Although they may not seem extremely hot to the touch at the time, your radiators can become very warm and any of these items can catch fire in a matter of minutes.
Baird warns that letting out too much water is likely to introduce fresh water into the system, which can make the situation worse as fresh water contains a lot of air. He adds: “Some people also think if a radiator is cold on the bottom but hot at the top then it needs to be bled.
When you're drying clothes on a radiator, you're really just blocking the radiator from heating the room. The plug - your wet clothing - gets a huge amount of heat but your room stays cold. Your radiator, even without a thermostatic valve, is trying to reach a certain temperature.
The fact is, boiler heat systems, either with hot water radiators or steam radiators, do not provide any more humidity than a forced-air system – at least they aren't supposed to. A properly working boiler and radiator heating system simply heat – it does not humidify.
Poorly designed radiator covers can cause heat loss, in a nutshell. Anything that blocks a radiator's airflow reduces its efficiency. Some radiator covers can actually trap heat and affect your thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) reading – confusing your entire central heating system.
Does a wet towel help with humidity?
Wet towels are great ways to add humidity. Soak a towel in water, ring out the excess, then hang the towel near where you sleep. Because a towel has a large surface area the water will more effectively evaporate into the room.
Drying clothes on radiators causes condensation and mould
Excess moisture in a room can lead to patches of mould, which can cause damage such as staining and peeling paint. Even worse, it can lead to health problems, particularly in vulnerable people such as children and the elderly.
The top of a radiator can be the perfect place for a shelf. When a piece of wood or stone is placed on top, a bulky radiator becomes a handy side table or bookshelf. If you're using wood, just be aware that it might warp over time.
Covering your radiator is completely safe. "Radiators only get as hot as about 215 degrees," Holohan says, "which isn't nearly hot enough to start a fire." However, be careful not to use certain synthetic fabrics (like fleece or polyester), which might melt. I'd recommend sticking with cotton or wool.
Can I replace a radiator with a heated towel rail? Yes. Heated towel rails plumb straight into your water system, just like a normal radiator, and warm up when your central heating is running. Heated towel rails are ideal for bathrooms that are short on space, such as an ensuite or downstairs toilet.
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