How to choose the size of radiator
As winter approaches, the choice of radiator has become the focus of many families. How do you choose the right radiator size based on room size, heating needs and personal preference? This article will analyze it for you from multiple dimensions and attach a structured data reference.
1. Core factors in selecting radiator size

The size of the radiator directly affects the heating effect and energy consumption. The following are key considerations:
| Influencing factors | Description | reference standard |
|---|---|---|
| Room area | The larger the area, the larger the heat dissipation area required by the radiator. | Requires 80-120W heat dissipation per square meter |
| House insulation | Houses with poor insulation require 20%-30% more cooling power | Old buildings are calculated according to the upper limit |
| window type | Floor-to-ceiling windows or single-glazed windows require additional heat compensation | Each square meter of windows adds 10-15W |
| Heating water temperature | The difference in water temperature between central heating and self-heating affects efficiency | Central heating is calculated as per standard |
2. Recommended specifications of radiators for different rooms
According to mainstream residential house types, the recommended radiator configurations for common rooms are as follows:
| room type | Area range (㎡) | Recommended cooling power (W) | Radiator height (mm) | Piece number reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bedroom | 12-18 | 1500-2200 | 600 | 6-8 pieces |
| living room | 20-30 | 2500-4000 | 1800 | 10-15 pieces |
| bathroom | 4-8 | 800-1200 | 400 | 3-5 pieces |
| kitchen | 6-12 | 1000-1600 | 600 | 4-6 pieces |
3. Matching relationship between radiator material and size
The heat dissipation efficiency of radiators of different materials is significantly different, and the size needs to be adjusted accordingly:
| Material type | Heat dissipation efficiency (W/piece) | Recommended installation location | size adjustment factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel panel | 80-120 | living room/bedroom | Base value 1.0 |
| Copper aluminum composite | 150-200 | Applicable to the whole house | 0.7-0.8 |
| cast iron | 60-90 | old building | 1.2-1.5 |
| die cast aluminum | 100-140 | Bathroom/Kitchen | 0.9-1.1 |
4. Installation precautions
1.Reserve space for cooling: It is recommended to keep the distance between the radiator and the wall 30-50mm, and leave no less than 100mm space at the top
2.Pipe matching: It is recommended to use DN15 pipes for radiators within 1 meter, and DN20 pipes for radiators exceeding 1.5 meters.
3.Room control: Installing independent temperature control valves in each room can save 15%-25% energy
4.special compensation: It is recommended to increase the cooling power by 10%-15% for side rooms, top floors or terminal rooms.
5. Answers to recent hot questions
Q: How to calculate the size of mixed floor heating and radiator?
A: For mixed installation systems, it is recommended that the radiator be configured at 60% of the standard value, and a water mixing center needs to be installed to adjust the water temperature.
Q: How can self-heating users optimize their choices?
A: It is recommended to choose copper-aluminum composite material and match it with an intelligent temperature control system, which can reduce gas consumption by 30%.
Q: Does the narrow radiator affect the effect?
A: Radiators with a height lower than 400mm need to increase the length compensation, and increase the number of radiators by 20% for every 100mm lowered.
Through the above structured data and professional suggestions, we hope to help you scientifically choose the size of the radiator and create a warm and comfortable home environment. It is recommended to combine the on-site measurement data of professional HVAC engineers when purchasing.
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