As our quest for customers to view home heating as home décor continues, we deemed it a good idea to fill you in on some of the key points to consider if you do decide to take the plunge and update radiators in your home.
And how to measure a radiator is certainly amongst a list of essentials you need to know before committing to renovate radiators in any room. In fact, ensuring you have noted the correct size of your existing heating component provides the prime foundation for a successful radiator replacement job.
In this guide, we’ll zone in the very best practices to properly measure your radiators, ensuring nothing but the perfect fit when it comes to installing new radiators.
Measuring a Radiator in 4 Simple Steps
We’ll get into more detail later, but you won’t go far wrong following these four basic steps to measure a radiator…
- Measure the width
- Measure the height
- Measure the pipe centres
- Measure the wall to pipe centres
Calculating Radiator Width
Very simple. Just take your tape measure across the furthest point of your radiator from one side to the other to gain an accurate measurement of radiator width.
Calculating Radiator Height
Another easy one. Just use a tape measure from the foot of the radiator to its highest point to calculate radiator height.
Calculating Pipe Centres
The distance between the pair of pipe inlets on a radiator represents what we know as radiator pipe centres. To calculate their size, you should measure from the center of one pipe to the center of the other. Just use a tape measure from the middle of the left inlet to the middle of the right inlet to record an accurate pipe center measurement.
Calculating Wall to Pipe Centres
In calculating the wall to pipe centres, you are measuring the distance from the wall that your radiator’s pipe inlets sit as they enter the radiator valves. For an accurate reading, you should measure from the middle of your pipe inlet to the wall. The result will give an indication as to how far away from the wall your pipework is situated, and is extremely useful in helping you avoid invasive plumbing alterations when you decide to swap radiators.
Other Key Calculations for Measuring a Radiator
BTU Calculations
When the time has arrived to change radiators, it’s imperative to know that your new designer radiator delivers a sufficient heat output for your chosen room. You can be sure that it does by calculating the BTU (British Thermal Units) requirements of the space.
You’ll need to measure the height, width and length of the room your new radiator is to be fitted in, and input these figures along with a few more details to our BTU Calculator.
Wall Distance
The gap between the wall and your radiator can be determined as the wall distance. It’s a useful measurement to record as it allows you to calculate how much space will remain behind your radiator once mounted. Simply measure from the back of your radiator to the wall to assess the size of the gap accurately.
Wall to Face
For a wall to face measurement, you’re working out how far into your chosen room your new radiators will project. The distance is calculated from the furthest point on the face of your radiator to the wall.
Whilst this isn’t an especially crucial aspect of a like for like radiator replacement, it is useful if your new radiators or towel rails are being installed in a noticeably compact room with space at a premium.
Using Radiator Measurements for Radiator Replacement
Once you’ve accurately measured your radiator and assessed your BTU requirements, you should be in a good position to put them to good use, and effectively replace your radiator without having to adjust any plumbing.
BestHeating offer all sorts of ultra-stylish modern designer radiators that will really enable you to transform your habitat, and realize the mantra of turning your home heating into home décor.
If you would like any further help or advice regarding how to measure a radiator, or have any heating queries at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below, or contact us via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
