Cold hallway additional radiator or bigger radiator?

Question

I recently installed a PIV unit in the loft, however this has now made the hallway and landing very cold. I have already adjusted the unit to the lowest setting to optimise humidity management and can’t go any lower.
I was thinking about whether an additional radiator at the top of the stairs would help or would a larger radiator in the hallway be just as effective? It is currently only a single panel 600x600. I was thinking I could swap this for a double or triple panel of the same size. Which would be the better option in this scenario?

Lee · Accepted Answer

In this case, both adding an additional radiator at the top of the stairs or upgrading the existing radiator could help, but there are a few factors to consider when deciding which would be more effective:

1. Adding an Additional Radiator

Adding a radiator at the top of the stairs could help distribute heat more evenly across the landing and hallway. The extra radiator would provide more heat output, which could help combat the cold air drawn in from the PIV unit. It may be particularly beneficial if the hallway is quite long or has cold spots that the existing radiator cannot reach efficiently.
	•	Pros:
	•	More even heat distribution.
	•	Can target specific cold areas of the hallway or landing.
	•	Doesn’t require replacing the current radiator, just adding another.
	•	Cons:
	•	Could require more pipework or installation effort.
	•	Might not be necessary if the existing radiator can be upgraded to handle the heating load.

2. Upgrading the Existing Radiator

Upgrading to a larger radiator (double or triple panel) in the hallway can be a very effective solution. A larger radiator will provide more heat output without the need for additional installation. The extra heat from the larger radiator could directly address the cold air caused by the PIV unit and help maintain a comfortable temperature in the hallway.
	•	Pros:
	•	Simple solution (just swap the radiator).
	•	More efficient heat output in a single location.
	•	Less installation hassle than adding a new radiator.
	•	Cons:
	•	If the cold spots are further up the stairs or landing, the upgraded radiator may not be enough to address those areas.

Which Is the Better Option?

Given that the hallway radiator is relatively small (single panel 600x600), upgrading to a double or triple panel of the same size would likely provide a significant boost in heat output. This might be the simpler and more cost-effective option, especially if the cold issue is mainly in the hallway itself.

However, if the cold is more widespread, particularly affecting the landing and top of the stairs, adding an additional radiator might be more effective in providing even heat distribution across the area.

If you have the space, swapping for a double or triple-panel radiator is likely the best starting point. You could always assess later whether an additional radiator is needed.

Komor · Answer

Swap it for a double will help. Ideally would go with a radiator upstairs aswell

Azir · Answer

Hi 600x600 is definitely a small radiator I would upgrade the radiator to 600x1000 that would work perfect or just get a double rad

Daniel · Answer

Hi Paul

I would go with the triple rad initially and if that doesn't improve the heat situation then look at installing a bigger rad where the 600 is. However, if there isn't much work involved in the additional rad at the top of the stairs, I would probably put one there too. The size of the hallway, windows, doors and general draughts all impact the temperature.

Auspicio · Answer

Versions of PIV without heaters are cheaper to purchase and run. However, if the air in your loft is cold, having this redirected around your home can make the house feel colder, so a heated unit can be a good investment. I mean, PIV with heater integrated, around 350 pounds with 500w, with the energy bill of 1 pound per day, more or less.

Rashad · Answer

Additional radiator top of stairs and check hallway once is on if you feel that area is warm then fine if you feel cold replace it slightly longer and double

Cold hallway additional radiator or bigger radiator?

Follow Us

Cookies

Manage Cookies

Essential cookies

Analytics & Tracking

Advertising