How to Choose the Most Efficient Radiators

We are fortunate in the UK that our retail sectors are heavily regulated. This means that we are afforded many consumer rights. For this reason when shopping online, you should always make sure that you shop with a UK trade retailer. This will ensure that your products meet safety standards and that they are of a decent quality.

Here we are going to explore how to tell from product description whether a radiator is efficient or not. We are writing this article for a UK-based market, so if you’re retailer is based outside of the UK, the information might be inaccurate.

1.Radiators UK will be efficient if they have the appropriate BTU/hr reading for the size of the room. BTU/h stands for British Thermal Units per hour, and it is the rating that we give radiators in the UK. It tells you how much heat that radiator can produce in an hour. You match the BTU/hr to the size of the room and this ensures that the radiators will produce sufficient heat. Don’t worry about working this out for yourself; there are online calculators (called BTU calculators) to help you.

2.In the UK, many products come with an energy rating label. These labels run from D to A+++ (no idea why, because it means there are 4 A settings, and that’s confusing). You should choose a radiator with as high an energy label rating as possible. However, do bear in mind that radiators do not have to have this label, and that many do not.

3.Finally, in the UK, the best radiators have TRVs. These are thermostatic radiators valves, and they allow you to control the temperature of each individual radiator automatically. So, you set it to say, point 3, which equates to 15oC in comparison to your thermostat, and the TRV opens as it cools below 15oC and closes as it exceeds 15oC. This additional control means that your energy bills are much reduced.

If you would like further help and advice about choosing radiators in the UK, then please visit Designer Radiator Direct

Stylish Designer Radiators in the Bathroom

Radiators, especially the towel heaters have become enormously popular.  That is not surprising really as they are compact and add a touch of luxury to any bathroom.  Make over television programmes always feature them nowadays.

Apart from buying one of these stylish heaters such as Kermi radiators you will also have to buy one which BTU is large enough to heat your bathroom and keep your towels dry.

To calculate this you can use the calculators that retailers online post on their web page. Next you have to think whether you would like an electrically operated model or one that plumbs into your existing heating system.

If you should choose the former one because of its ease of installation, you will be able to use it all through the year.  Of course you will have to take available wall space into consideration. 

In most bathrooms wall space will be tight and if this is the case the best option would be to have a vertical ladder model fitted.  There will be enough room on these to dry and keep the whole family’s towels nice and warm.

You have to realise that there is a vast choice to be had when you are researching these heaters. You have to think really hard about which one will suit your style and will be adequate enough for your bathroom.  It is a fact that an en suite needs a smaller radiator than a family bathroom.

Although the shiny chrome or aluminium ones are very attractive, you need to consider that these will need looking after, especially the chrome ones.  If water or moist is left on the latter, rust and water spots may develop. 

Aluminium radiators are more costly than the others as this metal is light and very durable.

In this case you may be better off with a matt finish.  These come in a variety of colours, but a white finish will look best in a bathroom as it will blend in nicely with its surroundings.

For further information about Kermi radiators at Designer Radiator Direct

When It’s Better to Use Electric Heaters Instead of Central Heating Radiators

We always hear plenty of information about how central heating systems are far more energy efficient and cheaper to run than electric heaters. However, there are times when electric heaters work better than central heating radiators. Below, we’re going to explore these conditions in greater depth.

Key Considerations When Buying New Radiators

Hello, today, we’re going to explore the various features and considerations that you should think about when buying new radiators for your home. Before you go searching for your perfect radiators, read this article, and arm yourself with this essential knowledge.

Choosing the right type of radiator

Homeowners now have a diverse range of radiators to choose from like compact, traditional, tubular and flat-panel radiators. A Radiator emits heat by radiation and convection. They have welded fins at the rear of the panels that emit heat. 

What Are The Benefits of Columned Radiators?

Column radiators are the oldest style of radiator. You might know them as tubular radiators, or as cast-iron radiators – although this latter term is not strictly accurate, given that cast-iron radiators are simply radiators made from cast iron.

The Perfect Temperature

The latest generation of radiator valves are now as important as the radiator itself in being part of the complete aesthetic attraction.

Modern radiators whether for the bathroom or bedroom come in all shapes, sizes and colour. They are also available in a number of metals and metal finish. For example; it’s not just a steel radiator but polished steel or brushed steel in the online catalogue.

Even that metal can be delivered painted in any colour you like within the full RAL range.
In the bathroom most people prefer polished steel or chrome finish. Both are ideal for this environment where hot and cold as well as water spray or steam are elements that are unable to corrode in any way these alloys.

It stands to reason then that the valves in the bathroom should also be a steel or chrome finish to equally stand up to these elements as well as look the part.

These days with such attractive radiator and towel radiator valves available, most new installations try to keep pipes hidden. Years ago newly fitted central heating systems would reveal yards of exposed copper pipe running along skirting boards.

Just one of the problems with that arrangement was keeping it all dust free and generally clean and tidy. When the time came to decorate a room the copper pipes never looked comfortable covered in a matt paint and as for painting with oil it was impossible or very tedious trying to cover it all.

Additionally, if you look at the superb styling of radiators available these days and the way they can look like pieces of art it seems a crying shame not to compliment them with the right matching valve and then making sure there are no pipes in view.

Towel radiators in the UK are not just for the winter months. Summer is short enough and in any case there are few times in the year when you do not want to be stepping out of the bath or shower and grabbing a dry and warm fluffy towel.