One way to avoid this problem is to install multiple compact radiators since the heat can be more easily focused where it is needed. There are some basic calculations that will give you the correct output in BTUs for each room in the house. For lounges and dining rooms multiply the cubic feet of the room by five; for bedrooms multiply by four; for kitchens multiply by three; for rooms facing north add 15%; for French windows add 20%; for double glazing subtract 10%. It is unlikely that any compact radiator will match the exact heat required, so select the first size of radiator greater than your heat requirement.

But, they can also take longer to heat up. Modern home radiators can have a high number of steel fins welded to the outside of the pipes that carry the hot water from the boiler. When these fins get heated, they emit warmth into the air flowing around them so that the current of warm air begins its convection almost as soon as the heat arrives in the unit. Because the efficient dispersal of heat depends on air circulation it is crucial for home radiators to be cleaned regularly. Layers of dust or lint should never be allowed to accumulate as these not only keep air from moving freely, they also act as insulation that slows the transmission of heat.