Do I need manual or thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)?

Feature Radiators' technical expert, Jason, offers some helpful advice on choosing the best radiator valves for your particular circumstances, regarding both look and efficiency.  He explains the difference between manual and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).

For more information, visit www.featureradiators.co.uk.

How to turn a central heating radiator into an electric radiator

Electric radiators are an increasingly popular option. Consequently Feature Radiators offers a wide range of electric heater styles including a number of column, cast iron and traditional style radiators as we can provide a DIY electric element kit to convert some of our standard radiators into electric models.

This video shows you how to convert one of our central heating radiators into an electric version with the installation of an electric element. 

All our electric radiators can be controlled via PC, tablet or smartphone using our smart app technology and/or linked to form a centrally controlled electric heating system.  Call our expert team on 01274 567789 for more information or visit www.featureradiators.co.uk.

How efficient are electric radiators?

Feature Radiators are a leading expert in electric radiators and electric heating systems and electric heating is becoming more common in homes in the UK.  So here our expert, Jason, provides a beginners guide to electric radiators, how to judge the efficiency and what choice in electric radiators are now available. 


Feature Radiators offers a huge range of models, sizes and finishes of electric radiators including traditional and contemporary radiators.  We also offer a range of different levels of controls for electric radiators including smart controls to enable radiators to be controlled via PC, tablet or smartphone.


For expert advice on electric radiators, please call our team on 01274 567789 or visit www.featureradiators.co.uk

Bleeding a radiator is an efficient way to get rid of cold spots. The process enables you to remove air, vent or purge a radiator and it is done by opening the air vent at the top of the radiator. 


Here our expert, Jason, provides a step by step guide to the easiest and most effective way to bleed a radiator.


For more information, visit www.featureradiators.co.uk.

Why do chrome radiators have a lower heat output?

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:

1. 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. 
2. 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
3. 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.

Aluminium radiators

As the UK’s leading radiator specialist offering an array of aluminium radiators, Feature Radiators’ experts are often asked the following questions:

• What are the benefits of aluminium radiators?
• What is the difference between aluminium and steel or cast iron radiators?
• Is there anything I need to be aware of when buying aluminium radiators?

The benefits of using aluminium to make radiators

Aluminium’s physical properties make it a perfect material to construct a radiator from.  It offers the following positive characteristics:

• Recyclable – as aluminium can easily be re-worked, recycled aluminium is widely used in every day products including radiators;
• Inexpensive – using recycled aluminium keeps production costs down;
• Light-weight - this makes transportation and installation easier and, consequently, cheaper;
• Long guarantee periods – aluminium radiators come with guarantees of up to 10 years as this material has a protective film of surface oxide making it naturally resistant to corrosion, although, other inputs can cause a risk of corrosion.  See below for more information*;
• Quick to react or “thermally conductive” – aluminium ensures rapid heat transfer from the water within the radiator to the air in the room.  In practical terms this means that the radiators only need to be switched on just before the room is needed.  On the flip side, aluminium cools down equally quickly unlike cast iron which retains heat for hours.
• Variety of shapes and styles - aluminium is relatively soft, yet durable and has a high “ductile strength” meaning it can be stretched or “extruded” into long strips.  Therefore aluminium is often used in vertical radiator models and is commonly used for contemporary style “feature radiators”; and
• “Sectional” options - the “extrusion” process means that uniformly shaped sections can be formed and radiators can be of “sectional” construction.  A sectional aluminium radiator is assembled by joining any number of sections together to create the desired width; this allows for a vast selection of widths and means that radiators can be easily sized to fit onto existing pipework.  The same sectional construction method is used for cast iron and some steel radiators.  Scope for large radiators means that huge heat outputs can be achieved. 

Comparing aluminium to steel and cast iron

There is not one material that is better than the other; there are pros and cons for each.  Your choice will depend on your particular circumstances and specification.

• Price – there is a common misconception that the cost of a radiator is entirely dependent on the material it is made from but there are so many other factors at play. 
• Weight - Aluminium is light-weight whereas cast iron is heavy and steel sits somewhere between the two.
• Guarantee periods – aluminium radiators usually come with 10 year manufacturer’s guarantee but so do cast iron radiators.  Steel tend to come with less at 5 years as steel is more prone to corrosion, though if the radiator is installed and maintained properly, this should not be a problem. 
• Speed of reaction - aluminium heats up quickly, but then cools down quickly whereas cast iron takes longer to heat up, and retains the heat for longer after switch off.  Steel sits somewhere in the middle.
• Shapes and sizes - aluminium is relatively more ductile and malleable than steel and cast iron.   

*Prevention against corrosion

In order to comply with your radiator guarantee, your radiator must be installed in accordance with BS5449, section five commissioning, which is a process your installer should be fully aware of.  This means on completion of installation, the system should be properly flushed and filled to remove debris and minimize the presence of solid particles and chemical residue that may cause corrosion and damage within the system. 

Any radiator (except those on a secondary hot water system) must be used in conjunction with a suitable corrosion inhibitor. 

Corrosion inhibitor should be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations and should take into account the particular metals within the system.  Corrosion inhibitors are available from most plumbers’ merchants and DIY stores.

For more information on aluminium radiators, contact a radiator specialist such as Feature Radiators.  You can view over 250 models and receive expert advice at their showroom in Bingley, West Yorkshire or contact their sales team on 01274 567789 or through their website www.featureradiators.co.uk

Which radiators are most efficient?

The question “which central heating radiators are most efficient?” is not straight forward, as in this context the word “efficient” means different things to different customers.

An official definition of the word “efficient” is:

“Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort.”

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/efficient

It can be argued that all central heating radiators are equally efficient insofar as the energy put into a radiator will equal the amount of heat it gives out. In other words, all properly functioning radiators with same heat output capacity, will give out the same amount of heat as one another and will use the same amount of energy to do so.

Radiators are just vessels designed to release energy in the form of heat. The amount of heat they release will depend on the amount of energy put into them.

In asking “Which central heating radiators are the most efficient?”, customers could mean:

1. Which radiator gives out the most heat for its size?
2. Which radiator is the cheapest to run?
3. Which radiator wastes the least fuel?
4. Which radiator heats up the quickest?

Relevant factors to consider in answering the above questions and ensuring you get the right radiator(s) for your specific needs are considered below.

Size and surface area

Its surface area determines the maximum heat output capacity of a radiator. The larger the surface area, the higher the potential heat output.

Surface area will be greatly increased by convectors, fins, or double or triple panels. So for example, the heat output capacity of a flat single panel radiator will be considerably less than a radiator of the same size (height x width) with double panels, and/or convectors or fins.

When considering one model of radiator, then generally, the bigger the radiator, the bigger the heat output. However this is not necessarily the case when comparing one model of radiator against another.

Water content

In theory, the less water a radiator holds, the less time it takes to heat up, and the less fuel is would require to reach full temperature. Consequently, the lower the water content of a radiator, the more “efficient” it could be considered to be. However, in reality, there is little difference in the level of water content across radiator models, although over an entire system the slight variation would multiply.

Design
The shape of a radiator and its design does have an effect on the amount of heat it radiates, but again this is due to the particular surface area of the model. For example, a tubular radiator with hollow tubes offers a lot more surface area than a flat panel design without fins as the heat can be emitted from both the outside and the inside of the tubes. So the design of a radiator does have a direct effect on its maximum heat output.

Material
A radiator’s material of manufacture does not have a direct impact on the amount of heat it gives out. However, the material will be a determining factor in the speed in which the radiator heats up and cools down. For instance, aluminium heats up quickly and cools down quickly, whereas cast iron heats up at a slower rate and cools down at a slower rate.

Finish

Science proves that the finish of a radiator affects its heat output in varying degrees.

There is a principal known as “emissivity” that enables experts to measure the ability for heat to leave (or radiate from) the surface of an object.

Levels of emissivity vary between finishes of radiators. Painted radiators have a higher level of emissivity than bare metal radiators, meaning that painted finishes absorb and release heat more than bare metal finishes. Matt finishes have a higher level of emissivity than gloss radiators. Even the colour of the finish can affect the level of emissivity. For instance, black paint has a higher level of emissivity than white paint. However, the difference in the emissivity of radiators is negligible and would only be realised in laboratory conditions.

Only a chrome finish has a noticeable affect on the heat output of a radiator as chrome has a very low level of emissivity. The chrome coating works on the same principal as the space blankets (the silver insulation blankets) used to keep athletes warm. The chrome coating, whilst looking beautiful, does reduce the ability of the radiator to radiate heat. Chrome (chromium plated) radiators are proven to emit approximately 20% less heat than the equivalent sized radiators in a painted finish.

In theory, the optimum radiator when looking for high heat output and rapid heat up time, taking all factors into account (no matter how minimal their impact) would be a matt black aluminium radiator with the greatest surface area for its size.

In practice, there are many other aspects that will determine the best radiator(s) for your project, including, aesthetics, dimensions to fit your space, budget and availability. Your choice will be governed by which factors take priority.

For more advice on choosing the right radiator(s) speak to a radiator specialist such as Feature Radiators. Contact their expert team directly on 01274 567789, meet them at their large West Yorkshire showroom, where they have over 250 radiators on display or visit their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/.

Positioning of radiators

When revamping your heating system you may feel restricted by the current position of pipework. However, with radiator technology coming on leaps and bounds over recent years and the ever improving insulation of properties, you no longer need to feel restricted by the standard conventions for radiator installation.

Radiators were historically always situated in the coldest part of a room, often against an outside wall or under a window, where the cold air drops to the floor. This meant that radiators were traditionally always around 600mm or 2ft high.

There was logic behind this standard at the time. Older properties that were poorly insulated with single glazing were prone to draughts; if a radiator was positioned on a wall opposite the window, this would cause cold air to be drawn across the floor due to the convection process. So a radiator was put under the window to help eliminate the cold draught problem.

Nowadays, though, most properties are far better insulated and double-glazing is rapidly becoming the norm. Alongside this, radiators are now available in a wealth of shapes and sizes and are definitely no longer the “normal” corrugated panels that we have become accustomed to. This means that you can now choose a radiator in the size and shape that you want, and position them, to best suit your room design.

With so many different radiator options now available, there are likely to be several possible places where you could put your radiators. So consider the following points when deciding on a setting for your radiators:

· Try and make the best use of space where possible and don’t be restricted by the positioning of current pipework. A new radiator in a new position might free up valuable wall space. For instance, it might be worth considering switching from a horizontal radiator, to a vertical model that can be installed in a corner or alcove, a place that would have previously been considered unusable.

· If you are opting for full length curtains, then the radiators should not be placed under the windows as much of the heat will be shut behind the curtains when they are closed.

· In a lounge, it is preferable not to put a radiator behind furniture such as a sofa, which may absorb the radiant heat. However, if your options are limited and behind furniture is the best position available, then it is better to look at radiators that are designed to ‘convect’ i.e. emit heat from the top, rather than models that ‘radiate’ i.e. emit heat from the front.

· In a kitchen, units often take up most available wall space, so the best solution may be a tall slim radiator, to fit behind the door or fill a space that you previously considered to not be wide enough for a radiator.

· In a bathroom, where a radiator is often used to dry towels, consider where the radiator will be in relation to the bath or basin.

· Why not consider positioning radiators to highlight a particular feature of the room? For example, you could place two identical radiators symmetrically, one each side of an entrance, archway or window. Or you could consider aligning the top of a vertical radiator with the top of a door, a window or a painting; the radiator will seek to draw the eye upwards towards the feature.

In conclusion, the radiator world is your oyster! No longer do you need to go for the boring bog-standard radiators we are used to, that often take up much needed wall space. Instead, look at your room afresh and speak to a radiator specialist for some advice on which products might best suit your space.

For more information on where to position your radiators, then speak to an expert such as Feature Radiators. Browse their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk, call their specialist team on 01274 567789 or visit them at their showroom in The Old Post Office, 134-140 Main Street, Bingley, West Yorkshire. BD16 2HL.

How warm is your house?

Feature Radiators considers an article written by the BBC that asks the question; should we be turning the thermostats down on our central heating?

“Spring is in the air in the UK, but it will be weeks - if not months - before the nation's radiators switch off. The average indoor temperatures of British houses are creeping up now central heating is the norm, and double glazing and insulation are added to older, draughtier homes.” (Lane, 2011)

The article makes it clear that consumer demand for heating has changed.

“Forty years ago, few houses had central heating, and chilly hallways and spare rooms dragged the average temperature down. Radiators now warm rooms that previous generations wouldn't have heated - corridors, bedrooms, and bathrooms.” (Lane, 2011)

But it appears that lowering room temperatures, or even turning radiators off, isn’t enough to adequately reduce our energy use.

“Dropping it [average indoor temperature] to 16C - the lowest setting in this virtual world - only shaves 7% off carbon emissions. Even if we all get in the habit of wearing woollies inside, this will still feel chillier than usual to most people.” (Lane, 2011)

So what else can we do to reduce our energy consumption, whilst maintaining our home comforts?

“David MacKay, the DECC's chief scientific adviser, practises what he preaches in his once draughty semi-detached 1940s house. As well as adding double glazing and insulation, he has turned the heating right down. He hopes that insulating more homes, smarter thermostats and "the promotion of sweater-wearing by sexy personalities" will encourage more people to follow suit.” (Lane, 2011)

The article makes it clear that energy efficiency gained through increasingly effective technology is key, alongside a good dose of common sense.

“So will smart thermostats and radiator valves help, allowing homeowners to target heat where it's needed at different times in the day? Experts say technology can do only half the job. A smart thermostat is only as smart as the person operating it.” (Lane, 2011)

So get smart. Investment in double-glazing, improved insulation and thermostatic controls will mean an initial financial outlay, but these options can dramatically reduce your carbon emissions as well as your heating bills.

For more information on efficiently heating your home or ways of minimising your energy usage, contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789, visit them at their West Yorkshire showroom or http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/

Lane, M. (2011). How warm is your home? [Online]. 3 March 2011. Available from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12606943. [Accessed: 21 March 2011]

Radiator valves - Thermostatic or manual?

What are thermostatic valves and what are manual valves and which ones do I need for my radiator?

Feature Radiators, a radiator expert, has provided below some helpful advice for those choosing valves for radiators. There are 2 types of valves available, thermostatic and manual, and this overview of both will enable you to make an informed decision when buying radiator valves.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) come with an in-built temperature sensor. The thermostatic valve will maintain the room at the temperature you have selected, by automatically adjusting the heat output from the radiator.

This means that you can make the most of any “free” heat the room receives, such as that from the sun (solar heat gain) or from electrical appliances. As the valve is controlled automatically, it turns itself up and down, ensuring the radiators perform as efficiently as possible and are environmentally friendly as they prevent energy being wasted by overheating a room.

Please be aware that building regulations require TRVs to be used for all new builds except:

- For one pair of valves on a system that can and should be manual, so they can be left fully open at all times. This is needed to allow the system to function properly. Usually such manual valves will be put on the radiator/towel rail in a bathroom or entranceway, as more constant heating is needed in these areas;

- In rooms where there is a room thermostat that controls the boiler.

Although not essential, we recommend TRVs for larger radiators (above 1800 watts, or where the radiator is oversized for the room) and for use in kitchens where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically (due to additional heat from ovens, fridges and other appliances).

Manual valves simply act like taps as they directly control the flow of water into the radiator and consequently how hot the radiator gets. Therefore the amount of heat given out will be constant, regardless of the surrounding room temperature.

Manual valves allow you to turn the heat up or down, but you will need to physically go to the valve to make the adjustment. Manual valves have no labelled settings – simply turn the valve head until the radiator is giving the amount of heat desired. The smallest most discreet valves available are manual valves.

Whether you choose thermostatic or manual valves is up to you (apart from cases where building regulations apply). As a general rule, thermostatic valves tend to be larger than manual valves (as they need to accommodate the thermostatic mechanism) but are more energy efficient. Manual valves on the other hand, tend to be smaller and more discreet, so are often chosen for their neat minimal look.

For more information on valves, or radiators, contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789 or visit their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/

What sized radiators should be used on Ground Source, Air Source and Water Source Heat Pump Systems?

Ground, Air and Water Source heat pump systems require larger radiators than those used on conventional boiler heating systems. This is because heat pump systems operate at lower temperatures. Heat pumps operate between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius, whereas conventional boilers operate between 60 to 80 degrees Celsius. Radiators on a heat pump system, operating at these lower temperatures, will produce around 30% of the heat output of the equivalent radiators on a conventional system.

Dave Wood, of Feature Radiators, the UK’s leading radiator specialist, commented:

"In our experience, most heat pump design engineers favour aluminium radiators as being the "radiator of choice" for these type of installations. Aluminium radiators such as the Decoral, Trend, Lie Low and I-Line have a very low water content and the excellent heat conducting properties of aluminium gives these radiators a rapid reaction time: achieving full radiator temperature up to three times as fast as steel panel radiators. Aluminium radiators aren't the only radiators suitable: Our steel Bordo and Volcano radiators, both with excellent heat outputs, have also been used with great success on heat pump systems."

For more information on radiators suitable for heat pumps, contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789 or visit http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/

Oil-filled radiators

Many customers and heating installers often ask for oil-filled radiators when a property does not have a boiler fed central heating system as this was historically the most popular solution when it came to electric heating. However, oil brings with it a number of negatives; it’s slow to heat up, can prevent a radiator from being recycled and is increasingly expensive.

But technological advances have led to a huge increase in the choice of electric radiators available and now no longer are ugly oil-filled radiators the only option.

Electric radiators now come in many formats. A popular option are water-filled radiators, which are essentially radiators that have been designed to go on a piped central heating system, but have been “electrified” with the addition of water, corrosion inhibitor and an electric element. Water-filled electric radiators are quick to heat up and clean, providing a simple, attractive yet inexpensive option to suit many interiors.

Water-filled electric radiators are available in a range of designs, different materials (such as cast iron, steel and aluminium), hundreds of colours, and a wealth of sizes both in horizontal and vertical forms. And they still offer the benefits offered by oil-filled radiators such as portability and availability in both floor-mounted and wall-hung versions.

But liquid filled radiators are not the only option. For instance, the Electric Romana is a stone radiator made of high quality marble or granite. Its award-winning design incorporates the excellent heat-retention properties of natural stone. No liquid content means that it can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Thanks to the particular molecular make up of stone, the warm air is radiated directly and evenly into the surroundings providing heating that is highly effective, efficient and clean.

The latest addition to the electric radiator market is iRad, a radiant panel that contains no liquid at all, emits a high heat output, and can be wirelessly linked to other iRad radiators providing a highly efficient central heating system, without the expense and inconvenience of installing pipework. Using iRads with wireless controllers enables the user to set time and temperature settings as well as being able to “zone” radiators. The iRad is available in a number of sizes and in various colours, as well as brushed stainless steel, polished stainless steel, glass and mirror finishes.

In summary, the developments in the industry mean that oil-filled radiators are rapidly becoming obsolete and cleaner, greener alternatives are now becoming the norm. Increased options mean that consumers don’t need to compromise on aesthetics, performance or price when it comes to electric heating.

For more information on stylish electric radiators, contact Feature Radiators at www.featureradiators.com/Electric or call 01274 567789.