When the weather starts getting a bit chillier, our first instinct is to pull out the blankets and turn on the heaters. However, deciding where to set up one’s heater is a really tricky question.

And of course, the TV lounge is the most logical choice here, since it’s the most used part of the house. Having a Radiator set up next to the TV means that you can have some quality family time while also enjoying the warmth.

Still, many people are also worried about what a radiator will end up doing to their TV. It’s a legitimate concern to have and one that we will address in this article. The answer is: no, you shouldn’t put the TV near a radiator. We’ll explain why and some alternatives to consider.

How Does Heat Affect the TV?

There are a few ways extended exposure to heat can affect a TV set. An extended exposure can cause internal metallic structures to heat up and distort the set’s circuitry. And if the structures end up melting, the damage can extend to other parts of the TV, causing irreparable damage.

Apart from that, extended heat exposure can affect the TV image. Certain pixels stop loading after being heated up for too long, therefore resulting in either desaturated pictures or a very noticeable loss of color. This is why it’s often advised not to keep TVs in packaging or cars for an extended period of time. As trivial as humidity, cold, and warmth may seem to us, they can prove problematic when TVs are involved.

What Sort of Radiator Do You Have Installed?

What heater you have installed determines how heat is being dissipated across the TV lounge. Older heaters, for example, relied on radiating heat outwards. This would mean that objects near them would warm up very quickly, especially in front of them. If you’re not too careful, any number of problems could arise. This can be contrasted with current heaters, which rely more on convection for their heat transference.

If you can’t remember your Physics lecture, convection essentially means that heat goes upwards via the air. From there on, hot air collects until it warms the entire room. It’s a more effective mechanism for heating. Luckily for you, it also spells good news for the TV set since very little heat is being projected directly forwards. The TV unit can therefore be placed closer to newer models of heaters. Naturally, if you have a wall-mounted TV at hand, then a convection heater will end up hurting those more than older models will.

Tips to Keep your TV safe near the Radiator

Install Full Motion/Extendable TV Wall Bracket

A full motion wall bracket is a convenient option for people who want to put Tv above their radiator. The full motion wall bracket allows you to pull out the TV when the radiator is on. You can always fold it back toward the wall once the heating is off. Now if you live in a place where a radiator needs to be kept on 24/7, I highly recommend this option.

Use Insulation to Keep the Heat Out

This particular tip can work both ways; on the TV set as well as the heater. Strips of insulation material can be attached to a heater’s radiator, often the part that emits the most heat to make it “safer.” Conversely, insulation material can be bound to the back of a TV set and ensure that it doesn’t heat up very quickly.

However, our suggestion is as such: either insulate both or just insulate the radiator. The reason is that insulation, while very effective at blocking heat, are just as good at trapping it. Not only will a TV set eventually start heating up, but the trapped heat will keep it at high temperatures for a relatively long period.

A radiator cover is a great way to insulate your radiator.

Use a Floating Shelf for the TV

If you are installing a TV above the radiator, better put it on a Floating Shelf. That way the heat rising from the radiator is mostly deflected and a floating shelf looks nice anyways.

How Far Should a TV Be from a Heater?

Again, as established above, this depends on the type of heater and TV. Ultimately, a decent distance of six inches or above should be considered. 4 inches from the wall is what is recommended for the TV screen itself, as its own vents release heat as well. Therefore, any goal we set with a heater in mind should be comfortably above the 4-inch mark.

Conclusion

Ideally, TVs and heaters should be kept at a distance. An extended exposure can often irreversibly affect a set’s performance. However, doing so isn’t always convenient or feasible, so you can add insulation or use a floating shelf for your TV.

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