Are Branded Radiators Worth the Extra Money?

We’re guessing that if you're reading this article, it’s because you want to buy some new radiators buy you're quite unsure about which radiator/s to buy. You will have noticed that, as with most retail items, there are premium branded radiators and then there are generic radiators. Today, we are going to discuss whether the branded radiators are worth the extra cost.

OK, so firstly, it’s important that you understand that the generic radiators are very good value for money. Radiators are a pretty solid buy and it’s rare to find low quality radiators. This means that in terms of functionality (i.e. do they keep you warm), there’s not much difference between generic and designer/branded radiators. If they have the same features, then they will generally have a similar performance. For example, 3-panel generic radiators would be as good as a 3-panel Reina radiators.

That isn't the end of the story, because yes, they might perform pretty much to the same level, there are a few things that will set the designer/branded radiators apart. Here are a few things to consider:

1.       The length of the warrantee/guarantee will generally be longer with the branded radiators. This is because they want to keep their customers happy for longer, or risk it affecting their reputation. When you buy generic radiators and they become damaged after 3 or 4 years, the owner isn’t going to be able to easily badmouth them because they aren't well known so it won’t stick in other people’s minds. However, with a brand such as Reina radiators, it would affect their reputation, and consequently sales. They don’t want this, so they offer a higher level of service.

2.       The look of the radiator is generally better with designer radiators. Again, they need to set themselves apart, and they do this by creating beautiful and/or unique looking radiators. If you have a look though the big brand catalogue, you'll notice that they all have radiators that could easily double as modern art. It’s great.

3.       You know what you're getting when you buy a branded unit. With generic radiators, it won’t be very easy for you to research the company to see how well they perform. You'll find it difficult to find reviews and to find people with experience of that particular radiator. With the branded radiators, you can find a lot of information and so be well prepared with what to expect should you choose to buy one.

So, generic radiators are as good as branded radiators. If cash and functionality are your main concern, then choose a generic brand. However, if you want that little bit of edge, go for a designer/branded radiator.

If you would like to browse a fantastic collection of both types of radiator, please visit http://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk

Helping Your Elderly Relative Stay Warm This Winter

With gas and electricity prices skyrocketing, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to heat our homes. For older people, this is compounded by the fact that they feel the cold more harshly than their younger counterparts do. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help make them comfortable, and the solutions aren’t necessarily expensive.

Insulation

If they don’t have insulation, they might be able to benefit from government initiatives offering free insulation to homeowners and renters. Check with your local council to see if they know of any schemes happening in the area. Take advantage of this while it lasts.

Draft Exclusion

House can lose a lot of energy through drafts, and this is especially true for properties with single glazing. Draft excluders do not have to be expensive. First, you can buy special sealants to place around doors and windows. This will help to fill any gaps. You simply peel off the backing tape and stick it in place. It’s easy.

Next, make sure that curtains are thick and thermal. If they aren’t, and you can’t afford to buy thermal curtains, don’t worry. You can buy lined curtains and fill them with newspaper or stuffing. If you aren’t too fussed about the decoration, you can buy duvets for as little as £5 and fit those over the windows to act as curtains.

We have one for our front door that we attach using Velcro. During the day, we put it away. It works great. The reason we chose to do this is that I didn’t want a curtain pole over the window. I actually really like it and it doesn’t look weird to me at all – although some other people have commented that it’s a bit odd. Still, it saves us a lot of money because there are no blasts of cold air coming from the front door.

Change the Radiators

Radiators UK are relatively cheap, and you can pick up a super-efficient 3-panel, 3 convector finned, radiator for as little as £50. If your relative has older style radiators, then swapping them out for the latest models will make a lot of difference. You don’t have to replace radiators throughout the house – just in the room where they spend the most time. It can make a HUGE difference, particularly if they only had single panels beforehand.

I hope that you found these tips useful. If you are interested in buying a new radiator, then check out the collection on offer at designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/.

Two Things to Bear in Mind When Using a BTU p/h Calculator

BTU p/h calculators are brilliant for the consumer. They allow us to calculate roughly how much heat output our radiators need to provide in order to maintain a specific temperature. However, it’s important that you understand the following two concerns when using a BTU p/h.

If you do not address these concerns correctly, then you can end up with estimates that are widely inaccurate. In turn, this can mean that you buy the wrong radiator for the room, which in turn can prove costly in terms of your energy bills.

1.       You must provide accurate dimensions

The first thing that you need to bear in mind is the exact measurement of the room. Do not use a BTU calculator and just guess the figures. Unless you're lucky, or you have an unbelievable eye for measurements, then you are highly likely to get it wrong. If you get it wrong, the BTU p/h calculator will return an inaccurate result.

When taking your measurements, take the length, height, and width of the room. You should have three measurements.

NB: make sure that you are using the correct measurement system. Double check to make sure that you and the BTU p/h calculator are using either the metric system or the imperial system.

2.       You must make allowances for insulation differences between the room and the variables on the calculator

 

While a BTU calculator will usually make some allowances for these differences – for example, they’ll ask which room the radiator is to go in, they don’t necessarily make enough allowance. For example, in a room that has triple glazing and cavity wall insulation, you will need around 10% fewer BTU p/h to keep the room warm than a double glazed non-cavity wall insulated room.

Now that you understand a bit more about the considerations you should be taking when using a BTU p/h calculator, you should be able to get a much more accurate reading. If you have any questions about the issues raised here, then please visit http://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/