Radiators: questions and Band 8 answers

Yes, we've got central heating radiators in almost every room of our flat. They're attached to the walls below the windows, which I think is fairly standard here in the UK to keep out the draughts.

Well, it really depends on the season. During the bitter winter months, they're pretty much on constant low heat or timed to kick in every morning and evening. In the summer, though, we shut them off entirely.

To be honest, I quite like radiators because they distribute heat evenly across the room. Portable electric fan heaters can be a bit stifling and dry out the air, whereas a standard radiator feels much more gentle and cosy.

Yes, I grew up in an older terraced house that had those heavy, traditional cast-iron radiators. I distinctly remember leaning against them after walking home from primary school on freezing afternoons to warm my hands up.

Definitely, yes. Modern systems are far more energy-efficient and smarter now. A lot of people have digital thermostats you can control from your mobile phone, so you aren't wasting energy heating an empty home.

I'd love that, actually. Radiators take up quite a bit of wall space, which can make arranging furniture awkward. Underfloor heating feels lovely underfoot in winter and frees up so much space in a room.