Should You Buy a Vertical Radiator?

If you're currently on the lookout for new radiators, and you're unsure about whether you should buy a vertical radiator, then let us help you to decide. Today, we are going to explore a number of situations when it’s appropriate to buy a vertical radiator.

Vertical radiators can be less efficient than horizontal radiators. This is because of the way that heat distributes though a room. Hot air rises and horizontal radiators give the air a little longer to heat up as they can heat more air further down – it means that they are slightly more efficient in heat distribution.

Nonetheless, horizontal radiators are not always appropriate. Here are a few examples when vertical designer radiators work better than their horizontal counterparts do: 

Example 1: In a Small Room

A small room, e.g. a bathroom, might require a specific amount of heat. In the UK, we measure heat in British Thermal Units. Say a bathroom requires 1200 British Thermal Units per hour.

However, there is very little wall space. All of the horizontal radiators that fit can only reach an output of 800 British Thermal Units per hour.

This means that the horizontal radiators will not provide sufficient heat for the room, and this can lead to problems such as mould and mildew.

However, choosing a radiator with a different orientation, i.e. vertical, allow you to install a larger unit in the space. Here, you can install a radiator that provides 1200 British Thermal Units per hour.

It isn't actually taking up any more useable space, because the space above a radiator is generally clutter and shelf free anyway.

Example 2: You Have French Doors or Windows

It is always better to hang your radiators next to outside doors and windows. This allows you to heat the cold air before it gets into the room. However, with doors and windows that reach from ceiling to floor, there may be no space for a horizontal radiator.

In this case, you can hang two vertical designer radiators, one on each side of the doors/window. Not only does this look extremely chic and elegant, but it serves its purpose fantastically well, too.

We hope that you now have a good understanding of the appropriateness of vertical radiators. If you are interested in buying such radiators, or you would like further help and advice about your radiators, please visit https://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/.

What Features Should You Expect from a Designer Radiator?

Designer radiators are all the rage now. Apparently, we live in particularly narcissistic times and many of us are all about appearance. Well, if that means buying designer radiators, then so be it; they do look incredible!

However, before you rush out and buy just any old radiator, you need to make sure that it sports desirable features. Any manufacture can call their radiator “designer” but that doesn’t mean that it sports all of the features that you should expect from such a radiator. Instead, this is something that you will need to look for yourself.

Here is a list of some features that you should expect to see on designer rads:

1. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)

Seriously, no radiators should come without TRVs nowadays. They are essential in ensuring the efficiency of your radiators. They help to control the temperature of the radiator automatically, which helps you to save money on your energy bills. If you do not have TRVs, then it can cost as much as £100 a year more to heat your home.

Even if the radiator does not come with TRVs, you can always add them at a later date. However, they should be included on designer radiators as a matter of course.

2. Convector fins and double panels.

Both of these serve to increase the surface area of a radiator, which means that it will be able to produce more heat than the same unit would if it did not sport convector fins or panels. 

Here, while we are using the word “panel” we do not mean the flat panels that you see with traditional radiators. Rather, we mean that the shape is repeated. For example, if your designer rads look like a giant fig leaf, there should be two fig leaves one in front of the other.

These extra panels and fins ensure that the radiator is efficient, even though it may be an unusual design.

Are you interested in buying designer radiators? If you are, check out the fantastic collection at https://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/.

How to Keep Your Central Heating System in Tip-Top Condition

Central heating systems and radiators are expensive, so it’s important to keep them in tip-top condition. On top of being expensive to buy, if they break, the damage can be extremely expensive – burst pipes cause serious problems.

Fortunately, as long as you take good care of your central heating system, you are likely to avert any such issues. Follow the six pieces of advice below and you will help to keep your system safe and free from problems.  

1. Ensure you have high quality radiators and a boiler.

The better the quality of your radiators and boilers, the less likely they are to breakdown. Furthermore, if you buy a brand such as Reina radiators, you get a long warrantee, which in turn means that you can receive compensation if the radiators become damaged and it isn’t your fault.

2. Have your boiler serviced every year.

It is sensible to service your boiler once a year. You can find packages that allow you to pay a set amount a month for a single annual visit. For instance, we pay roughly £9 for an annual British Gas service.

3. Check your radiators every 6-months.

You should take a close look at each of your radiators every 6-months. Make sure that you bleed them if needed, and make sure that they do not show signs of rust or damage. Deal quickly with any issues you might find.

4. Have your radiators serviced every five to ten years.

It’s prudent to have your radiators serviced too, but they require less frequent servicing than the boiler does. Every five to ten years should suffice. The higher the quality of the radiators, the less frequent the service needs to be. For example, Reina radiators will only need servicing around once a decade.

5. Keep radiators clean and free of dust.

Dust can make your radiators less efficient, it can also lead to rust. Make sure that you clean your radiators frequently and that you get rid of any dust.

6. Make sure you set the radiators so that they come when the temperature approaches zero.

You must ensure that the central heating system comes on when the temperature approaches around 5 Celsius. You do not want the system to freeze as this can lead to burst pipes.

Are you interested in buying new radiators? If you are, please visit https://www.designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk/.