Advice Or Ideas Re Radiator Please

[rosyposy]

Afraid this is going to be a bit 'long winded', sorry. In our kitchen we have a tall fridge freezer in the r.hand corner at the end of a run of units, at right angles to it and underneath the window there is a 5' x 15" double radiator which stops us getting the freezer out, or even opening the bottom door properly. (Lord knows how they got it in in the first place!) The problem is the paint on the wall at the right side of the freezer is cracking and falling off and there are black patches on the wall as well. It doesn't seem to be damp tho, but obviously not getting any air circulating there, but it is an outside wall so worrying if there is anything sinister happening.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Can we have the radiator taken out altogether, without too much upheavel, we have oil and electric heaters so wouldn't really miss it or might it be easier to have a smaller radiator put in. I would like the least mess and the cheapest option if possible as we will probably have to decorate too,.:o(
Thank you in advance, rosy

[Old_Geezer]

Doesn't seem best design having something trying to remove heat next to a heater.

Radiators aren't difficult to remove but the pipe might still be in the way. If you want it removed completely that might mean taking up the floor to remove everything, unless the pipes go around the walls. Is there somewhere else the radiator could be fitted ? Or for that matter could the fridge/freezer be sited elsewhere ?

[rosyposy]

That is what I was afraid someone might say OG, and that is why I thought maybe a smaller radiator might be the best option, don't have anywhere else for freezer I'm afraid unless we have units taken out etc. and of course the problem of getting the freezer out too....:0(
Thank you for replying, rosy

[The Builder]

I agree with OG. It's not the best position next to a freezer. Given that, and also with the problem of getting the freezer out, the best option is to investigate an alternative position for the rad.

Perhaps replacing it with a smaller rad can be looked at. Maybe a 900mm rad, which would allow access to the freezer. That really wouldn't be a big job at all. Modern double panel rads are high output. I doubt if you would notice the difference.

You obviously have a cold external wall. In which case, heating in that area is a must. I would go for a shorter rad, but, it must be used, and not left turned down or off.

To the side of the freezer, I would fit a through-the-wall open vent to get some air circulation going. It's not ideal though, being open to the outside, but there really is no alternative with what is a cold, external wall.

[rosyposy]

Thank you Builder, I will look into that. The bungalow faces south so how do you get a cold wall then? It was built in 1930 so doesn't have cavity walls so that might be the explanation? Thank you again rosy

[The Builder]

Are you sure, Rosy? 30s bungalows, in my experience, are most likely to have cavity walls. They've been around for well over 100 years.

[rosyposy]

Not really sure, just what I was told a few years ago when they were pushing insulation, the neighbours just said no one had cavity walls so just took their word for it, rosy

[The Builder]

Fair enough, Rosy. That was a retrograde step, even for the 30s!

If so, then that will be a particularly cold wall. So, either adding insulation (if there's room next to the freezer), or introducing ventilation would seem to be the options to avoid patches of condensation.

[rosyposy]

Thank you builder, I knew I could depend on answer bank :o) cheers rosy