Would you like to take some cost-saving measures before the onset of winter by insulating your radiator niche? Find out here what options there are!
Although thermally insulating an apartment is often difficult in the cold months, you can insulate every radiator niche as a clever countermeasure. This would prevent such areas under windows in old buildings or in sub-zero temperatures from causing unnecessary heat loss and excessive heating costs. Such thermal insulation behind the radiators can be installed without much effort, although there are a few factors to take into account. If you want to take this important step, here are some useful information and tips to help you.
Why insulate a radiator niche at all?
The most common causes of heat loss areleaky windowsor external walls that are thinner in certain places, such as behind radiators. The heat transfer coefficient is also higher there, which is why more heat escapes through the inner wall to the outside. It can be easily seen with a thermal imaging camera that the radiator niche often loses heat as a thermal bridge between the outside wall and the interior. When coming into contact with cold air flow due to drafts, the room temperature also drops more quickly without the appropriate thermal insulation. This means the heater has to work harder to reheat the air and force it upwards, causing heat loss and increasing heating costs.
In addition, uneven heat exchange between radiators and walls can lead to impaired heat distribution in the rooms. In such cases, the internal temperatures remain the same despite awell insulated facadeoften lower than expected. By insulating your radiator niche, you ensure that the heat radiation from the heating elements is more efficient. This is best done by applying suitable insulation materials of different thicknesses. Certain materials can help reduce the loss of heating energy if you use them to insulate the area. This optimizes heat conduction so that your living spaces are heated better.
What measures should you take to insulate radiator niches?
There are products specially developed for the building, such as insulation made of rigid foam, glass wool or mineral stone, as well as insulation panels and reflective films. Depending on what measures you want to take when insulating your radiator niche, you can choose the appropriate variant. In addition, it would be possible to insulate such thermal bridges in your home in three different ways, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
Insulate the wall behind the radiator niche
This is the simplest and cheapest solution where you only need to add a reflective layer of insulation behind the heating element. This option is advantageous because it allows you to direct the heating energy inside without having to renovate the wall or facade. Insulation panels and reflective films, which are available everywhere, are suitable for this. The disadvantages are that the distance between the radiator and the wall is small, which is why such reflective insulation mats or panels vary.
The desired heat storage effect can also vary depending on how well the facade is insulated. Therefore, use thin but highly efficient panels made of polyurethane or extruded polystyrene rigid foam with good insulating properties. Vacuum-insulated insulation panels are also perfect for this variant, although you should not damage them when dismantling and assembling the radiator. Otherwise, such products are easy to cut and attach to the back wall with glue.
Insulate external walls and facades in front of radiator niches
This is an even more effective solution, but more suitable for owners who can make changes to the facade. Of course, such a renovation is associated with high costs, although there are various efficient systems on the market today. The advantages of facade renovation are that you do not insulate any radiator niches and do not move any heating elements or anything elseMeasures against heat loss in living spaceshave to do. The biggest disadvantage of this option is not only the high investment costs, but also the complexity of the work, which can only be carried out by a specialist without the necessary knowledge.
Insulate the entire radiator niche
The third and probably most sensible solution to combat such thermal bridges between the outside wall and the radiator would be to insulate the entire niche. This means attaching the radiator directly to the wall on a bracket and filling the cavity with insulation and plastering it. This also improves air circulation in the room, which would accordingly optimize heat storage and reduce heating costs. You also have several options when choosing the appropriate insulation material, as you have more space to use more efficient and thicker insulation materials. You can also use natural materials such as cork boards or soft fiber boards.
The difficulties with this option are primarily associated with the cleaning and assembly work in the interior. Depending on the location and installation, this could also require replacing the heating element or relocating the heating pipes. Although this will not be as expensive as facade insulation, the cost could vary depending on the quality of the materials used. The methods of attaching different insulation panels also differ. With plasterboard, for example, a vapor barrier must be installed between the insulation and the board to prevent moisture from accumulating on it and causing mold to form.
Final thoughts
You can insulate a radiator niche with each of the possible variants, depending on your available budget and living situation. In new buildings, it would of course be much easier to install such insulation before installing a radiator. If heating is already installed in niches under windows, it would be better if you opt for reflection mats or insulate the entire radiator niche. An alternative and affordable option is to cut any thin panel to the size of the niche and cover it with aluminum foil. You can position these directly behind the radiator to direct the heat inside and reduce heat loss.
Also read: “PREVENT DRAFT: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM DRAFT IN WINTER WITH COMMON MEANS & TRICKS!“
