Do radiator top grills and side panels reduce heat output?

[DIYNotIan]

Hi plumbers, heating engineers and diyers alike

I've been reading the very mixed opinions out there regarding actual radiator covers, so I won't get into that! Suffice to say it's a heated debate... I'll get my coat?

Anyhow, what I can't find info on is the top grills and side panels you often see on rads; you know, the ones that look like they're part of the rad. Do the help, hinder or make little difference to the overall performance?

Cheers

 

[durhamplumber]

Hi plumbers, heating engineers and diyers alike

I've been reading the very mixed opinions out there regarding actual radiator covers, so I won't get into that! Suffice to say it's a heated debate... I'll get my coat?

Anyhow, what I can't find info on is the top grills and side panels you often see on rads; you know, the ones that look like they're part of the rad. Do the help, hinder or make little difference to the overall performance?

Cheers

Get out more.

 

[DIYNotIan]

I'd like to but they won't let me...

 

[ianmcd]

no not worth bothering about, those MDF and wooden enclosure covers however do massively

 

[durhamplumber]

I'd like to but they won't let me...

Not even for the weekend? Tagged?

 

[dhutch]

I can't find info on is the top grills and side panels you often see on rads; you know, the ones that look like they're part of the rad. Do the help, hinder or make little difference to the overall performance?

Hinder, but only fractionally.

Have a look on Stelrads website they do various style but the 'standard' non-designer rads come without grills (Elite) with flat grils (Compact) and curved grills (Softline) and you can compare the outputs and each size and see the difference.

Daniel

 

[lostinthelight]

From Quinn website