Furniture or curtains in front of radiators block the heat flow into the room. Heat builds up behind the furniture instead of circulating. When you keep your radiators clear, you use heat much better and need to heat less.
Step by step
A radiator works through two processes: heat radiation (direct electromagnetic waves) and convection (warm air rises). When a curtain or cabinet stands directly in front, radiation gets blocked and rising air builds up instead of circulating. Result: the room stays colder, your heating system runs longer to reach the desired temperature. With a clear radiator, convection works perfectly.
Source: Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena), Furniture/curtains in front of radiators cause up to 20% heat loss
Step by step
- Check all radiatorsLook around your home: is there a cabinet, shelf, armchair, bed, or thick curtain in front of or above a radiator? Write down which radiators are affected.
- Move your furnitureShift the furniture so at least 15–20 cm of free space remains in front of the radiator. Air must flow in from below and out the top without obstruction.
- Position your curtains differentlyIf you want a curtain (for style reasons), hang it so it doesn't touch the top of the radiator. Ideally the curtain ends above the windowsill.
- Use decorative alternativesUse wall art, pictures, or mirrors around the radiator instead of covering it. Mirrors even reflect extra heat back into the room.
- Observe the new room temperatureAfter 1–2 weeks with a clear radiator, you'll notice the room warms faster or you can lower your thermostat.
Worked example
Before: Living room: large curtain hangs tight in front of the heating system, blocks convection. Room only slowly reaches 20 °C, thermostat set to level 4.
After: Curtain raised above the windowsill → radiator now clear. Room warms faster at the same outside temperature. Thermostat can be lowered to level 3 → 6% savings + the 20%-blockage effect goes away → real savings around 8–10%, costs €0