House Radiator fan

[steptoe]

Ok i am not sure if this has been talked about before , we have the standard double rads in the house with the grill on top now i know they do a fan fitting to go on top that runs of the mains but that means using energy from a plug , i wonder has anyone built anything with either usb power bank supply or something like that , i am just looking at ways to push the heat in to the room instead of up the wall .
Ok hope if anyone has made anythng look forward to any help , i can make things out of wood ie something to sit on top of the rad just need ideas or help on the fan side anything would be a help
cheers

[Winterprep]

You get these for wood burners to sit on top. https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/buying-g ... -stove-fan Not sure if your radiators would get hot enough though to work them?

WP

[Frnc]

What I do have is reflective sheets fitted behind, to stop the heat going into the wall. In my bedroom the rad is just below a window sill, which will push it out a bit. The curtains reach the sill, so when it's cold I push them back so the heat can't go up behind them.

Anyway, the fan sounds quite a good idea.

[Nurseandy]

You get these for wood burners to sit on top. https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/buying-g ... -stove-fan Not sure if your radiators would get hot enough though to work them?

WP

Good idea but I've just tried it (5°C and icy rain here and I had to give in and put the central heating on this morning) and sadly it doesn't work. Our woodburner fan is a no name one off ebay so perhaps a better quality one may be better but I suspect not.

Of course the reason for traditionally mounting radiators under windows is so the warm air rises drawing in the cold air from the centre of the room which in turn is heated & rises as the original warm air cools and falls to the floor and is reheated, rises etc etc.
Radiators don't seem to be sited under windows so much now so perhaps better double glazing has negated that theory?

[GillyBee]

If you are looking for a DIY project you could use some computer fans. The 5V ones will run from USB and are a couple of quid from the the usual suspects.

[steptoe]

You get these for wood burners to sit on top. https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/buying-g ... -stove-fan Not sure if your radiators would get hot enough though to work them?

WP

Hi winter i did look at those but like you i think not enough heat , i am looking at putting a woodburner in the living room

[steptoe]

You get these for wood burners to sit on top. https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/buying-g ... -stove-fan Not sure if your radiators would get hot enough though to work them?

WP

Good idea but I've just tried it (5°C and icy rain here and I had to give in and put the central heating on this morning) and sadly it doesn't work. Our woodburner fan is a no name one off ebay so perhaps a better quality one may be better but I suspect not.

Of course the reason for traditionally mounting radiators under windows is so the warm air rises drawing in the cold air from the centre of the room which in turn is heated & rises as the original warm air cools and falls to the floor and is reheated, rises etc etc.
Radiators don't seem to be sited under windows so much now so perhaps better double glazing has negated that theory?

Hi Nurseandy yes out rads are all on internal walls and with this being a soild brick house 1930's we had the cladding done and we had double a rated windows and doors to help keep it warm but my wife has arthritus and winter she suffers badly , we do all we can to get the warmth in the house and extra clothes for her , we are like jack sprat because i suffer over heating issues due to a brain injury so i can be seen in mid winter walking round no shirt and in the garage lol , the wife is at the time in wife of a ladies issue the change whcih she said is no help cold wise because one minute she is so cold next stripping off lol yup i do close me eyes and hey honey the neighbours the neighbours lolo.

Thanks all of the in put i am just going to keep looking at ways to get the best fro mthe ras other than replacing them all

[steptoe]

If you are looking for a DIY project you could use some computer fans. The 5V ones will run from USB and are a couple of quid from the the usual suspects.

thank you gilly yes i am looking at them i am looking at making some 45degree anagle tops that stand on top of the rad and the fans can be mounted pointing in to the roon on the front and as you say use the comp fans i have found the ones with the usb fitting but i have also looked at the car ones to cool the car in summer they come all fited oh the joy of as some would say being cheap i call it using my brain to save me money .

Cheers all and if i come up with a desgin i will be sharing

[Evergog]

I seem to remember that a shelf above the radiator is meant to deflect the heat into the room?
I’ve lined all our curtains with cheap fleece (either blankets or fabric off eBay) then just used press studs or Velcro to attach. Makes a huge difference in winter

[steptoe]

I seem to remember that a shelf above the radiator is meant to deflect the heat into the room?
I’ve lined all our curtains with cheap fleece (either blankets or fabric off eBay) then just used press studs or Velcro to attach. Makes a huge difference in winter

Hi yes linning the curtains saves a huge amount we have always had thermal blackout curtains due to not sleeping well with light in the room , yes i know you would think all the time spent in hospital would have got me use to lights being on lol , as a kid i use to use a clothes peg to keep the curtains closed in my bedroom not sure why it started but my sister and i well she was alot old and use to come and stay when her hubby was always and we use to sit and wtach horror movies long story mum died when i was very young and well this sis was like am um but an easy going one , we woudl sit up on a friday for the late movies in the bedroom on the portable both hidding behind the pillows lol , i think she must have told me the boogy man can get in if the curtains are open or dracula lol we watched all the old stuff in the 70's lol