Radiators and heated towel rails are available in an
increasing range of designs and finishes but radiator specialists are regularly
asked the question: “Why do chrome radiators have a lower heat output than
painted radiators?”
Radiators are now available in a huge range of models
including contemporary, designer and traditional styles with each coming in its
own range of finishes, from the whitest whites to outrageous oranges and
gleaming chrome. Customers demand not
just comfort but a stylish product to add to their interior décor, therefore
heat output as well as design and finish are all critical when it comes to
choosing a radiator.
However, when it comes to heat outputs, customers can find
it all rather confusing. One reason is
that the heat output of a radiator can vary depending on purely the
finish.
For example, Feature Radiators’ D-Line contemporary style
radiator, comes in white, black or chrome.
You would think that in the same size, they would all give the same heat
output, but this is not the case.
Instead the white and black models give out 20% more heat output than
the chrome version. Chrome radiators will
always give out less heat (up to 30% less) than a painted equivalent.
So why do chrome radiators give out less heat than painted
radiators?
There are 3 key reasons why chrome radiators are not able to
radiate as much heat out:
- Firstly, this is down to the scientific phenomenon known as “surface emissivity”. Chrome has a low emissivity value; this means that chrome tends to trap heat and it is difficult for it to emit or radiate heat. This explains why the seatbelt buckle in your car gets so hot on a sunny day. Although this may not make them ideal for “radiators”, chrome does provide an excellent material for drying towels on.
- Chrome is coating applied on top of another metal, usually mild steel or brass. This means that the heat has to penetrate through 2 layers of metal; and
- Chrome is as shiny on the inside as it is on the outside meaning it reflects heat back in on itself reducing the amount it can radiate; it has an effect similar to the space blankets you see wrapped around long distance athletes after a race.
10 years ago, a chromium or chrome finish was the latest
thing when it came to radiators, but increasingly there is a movement away from
chrome because of the lesser heat outputs.
Now customers often opt for a polished stainless steel finish instead as
this alternative option is very similar in appearance to chrome but, as it is
bare metal rather than a coating, it performs better as a “radiator”.
There is also some difference in emissivity between not just
finishes but also even colours. However
the industry has agreed that this difference is negligible in practice and
advertising heat outputs for every shade would overcomplicate the decision for
the consumer. Also manufacturers would require highly
accurate, sophisticated and, consequently, expensive measuring apparatus to
quantify the difference adding unnecessary costs onto the price of the
radiators. Therefore radiators finished
in white and other “painted” or powder coated finishes are always advertised as
the same.
Bear in mind that retailers also may advertise the same
products in the same finish with different heat outputs due to the variation in
measuring standards used in Britain versus Europe. For more information on variations in heat
outputs see our article “Different companies sometimes state different
heat outputs for the same radiators, why?”
For expert advice on choosing a radiator with the
appropriate heat output for your space then contact a radiator specialist such
as Feature Radiators. For face-to-face
advice and to see over 250 display models then visit their showroom at The Old
Post Office, 134-140 Main Street, Bingley, West Yorkshire. BD16 2HL or call
them on 01274 567789 or browse their products at www.featureradiators.co.uk.
