Energy Efficiency Resolutions for 2011

What can we, as consumers, do in 2011 to reduce our energy consumption and minimise our carbon footprint whilst keeping our costs down and maintaining our home comforts?

Domestic heating is a key area where we, as consumers, can all make costs savings and try to minimise our energy wastage as well as our utility bills.

Below are some key tips for keeping your energy usage and consequently your heating bills down.

Consider installing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Thermostatic Radiator Valves, or TRVs, come with an in-built temperature sensor. A thermostatic valve will maintain a 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 or gas appliances. As the valve is controlled automatically, it adjusts itself, ensuring the radiators perform as efficiently as possible, reducing energy waste. For this reason, TRVs are the environmentally friendly valve choice as they prevent energy being wasted by overheating a room.

There is now a wide range of stylish thermostatic valves available in both contemporary and traditional styles in a variety of finishes. For instance, Feature Radiators offers a wide range of TRVs on the valves page of their website.

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

- For one pair of valves on a system, which 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 tend to fluctuate dramatically (due to additional heat from ovens, fridges and other appliances).

Ensure your central heating system or heaters are on timers

Timers are now available for gas central heating systems, electric radiators and electric central heating systems. This has been the standard for boiler systems for a while but now they are available on other forms of heating. For instance, iRad, the electric radiator from Feature Radiators, is available with a wireless controller enabling specific times and temperature modes to be set, minimising energy wastage.

Insulate, insulate, insulate

The importance of insulation in minimising wasted energy cannot be underestimated alongside the amount of money it can save it on your utility bills. Improved insulation in your home is guaranteed to dramatically reduce the heat lost through your walls and roof, meaning less requirements for heating and resulting in lower energy usage.

Look at the possibility of having cavity wall insulation and loft insulation installed. Many local councils now run schemes encouraging residents to go for better insulation by subsidising the cost, or even waiving the costs entirely.

Also, better insulation means a lower heat output from your radiators is required. So if you are thinking of opting for new radiators, then more options are available, as the heat output will not need to be as high. For advice on choosing radiators with the right heat output for your situation, it is essential you speak to a radiator specialist or qualified heating engineer.

Consider the future of your heating system

With stocks of gas and oil rapidly depleting, the future of the standard boilers is uncertain. A movement towards electricity as a cleaner fuel that can be generated from renewable sources is seeing the shift in the type of heating systems that may be installed over the next century.

Heat pumps are very “in vogue”, but installation costs are high and many properties cannot accommodate or are not suitable this type of system.

In order to retain your current central heating system and radiators, why not just switch to an electric boiler. These are currently available but at a relatively high price, but increasing demand is set to see the costs fall and this will provide a simple, practical and inexpensive option for many of us in the years to come.

Other options for modern heating systems include electric central heating that is run by linking independent electric radiators wirelessly. Without pipework and a boiler, installation costs and disruption can be significantly reduced. This new electric radiator technology is really taking off due to its practicality, flexibility and efficiency.

Finally, wear a jumper!

This may seem obvious, but the younger generation often seem to take central heating for granted, and wearing a T-shirt in the house despite sub zero temperatures is deemed quite acceptable by many. However, this is surely a waste of our precious resources and an unnecessary addition to our carbon footprint. Also what can be better than snuggling up under a cosy blanket on those frosty winter nights!

For more information on maximising your energy efficiency within a reasonable budget, contact Feature Radiators on 01274 567789, visit their large showroom in West Yorkshire or visit their website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/

Cracking radiators

Is Jack Frost nipping at your…radiators?

The recent cold snap and record-breaking low temperatures have led the British public to encounter a rarely seen phenomenon: cracking radiators! This is despite the radiators being inside a property and on a functioning central heating system.

But radiators are known as strong and durable pieces of engineering, so how can a radiator crack?

When water freezes: its volume expands by around 10%. A radiator full of water that is in a particularly cold room such as a conservatory, can freeze and the expansion of the freezing water can cause cracks; usually at weld points and seams on the radiator.

Radiator experts, Feature Radiators, recommend some options to prevent radiators freezing and the consequential damage.

Firstly, install a “frost stat”. This is a device that will override your regular central heating timer and thermostat by automatically switching on your central heating when it senses the temperature drop below a pre-determined amount.

Secondly, invest in some thermostatic valves as these have a “frost protection” setting. This means that when the thermostat on the valves measures the room temperature as approaching 0°C, the valve opens a little, allowing water into the radiator to ensure that it doesn’t freeze. However, this will only work when the central heating is “ON” as thermostatic valves are not able to turn the boiler on.

The frost protection setting on thermostatic valves is great for protecting your radiators and pipes during the day when your central heating system is switched on and working. However, a frost stat will ensure that you protect your radiators and pipes when your central heating system is switched off overnight or when you’re away during the winter and it is this period when most frost damage occurs.

Feature Radiators also recommends you consider frost damage when purchasing reclaimed cast iron radiators. These are often purchased from salvage yards and can be stored outdoors leading to cracking. Pressure testing of reclaimed radiators is essential to ensure that radiators are functioning correctly and that they are free from leaks.

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

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/

Radiators for Hot water systems

I have a secondary return domestic hot water (DHW) system, what types of radiators are suitable?

For a secondary hot water system, it is essential that you install radiators and towel rails that are made of “inert” metals. These are metals that are non-reactive and do not corrode when in contact with water such as stainless steel, brass or copper.

In a secondary hot water circuit, the water that runs through the radiators is the same water that comes out of your taps. So the water running through the system needs to be clean and free from chemicals. Accordingly, radiators made of mild steel, aluminium and cast iron, which need to be used in conjunction with corrosion inhibitor, are not suitable.

You also need to consider your radiator valve choice, again ensuring that these are made of inert metals.

Despite options being more limited, there is still a great range of suitable radiators, towel rails and valves for secondary hot water systems that perform well and look fantastic.

For instance, Feature Radiators offers a wide range of contemporary stainless steel radiators in both brushed and polished finishes in a variety of designs, such as the Zermatt and Millennium. Their towel radiator collection includes options made of stainless steel such as the Alpine range of ladder style rails and also traditional options with ball-joints such as the Coniston and Deco, which are made of brass and coated in a superb range of finishes including chrome, gold, antique brass, antique copper and pewter.

For more information on radiators, towel rails and valves that are suitable for use on secondary hot water systems, then contact Feature Radiators at http://www.featureradiators.co.uk/ or on 01274 567789.

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.

Looking for a vertical chrome radiator that is surprisingly affordable?

Then look no further than Feature Radiators’ Red Hot, the latest addition to their contemporary range. A modern, vertical radiator, in stock in both chrome and matt red for quick delivery, that is stunning but also offers fantastic value for money, starting at only £230 + VAT.

The Red Hot is also available with a towel rail, making it a perfect addition to any stylish bathroom.

The Red Hot radiator has been launched to raise awareness and funds for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK, in conjunction with their annual Red Hot Day. 20% of the sale price of the Red Hot radiator will go to the charity to help continue their work supporting those suffering with these chronic diseases.

Feature Radiators, based in Bingley, West Yorkshire, has a comprehensive range that includes contemporary, designer, traditional cast iron and electric radiators and heated towel rails, providing quality and design as well as value for money.

With over 150 styles on display in their showroom, expert advice, unrivalled customer service and nationwide delivery, they are widely recognized as the UK’s leading radiator specialist.

For more information on the Red Hot radiator or other radiators call 01274 515734, contact Helena@featureradiators.co.uk or visit www.featureradiators.co.uk

For more information on the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK (formerly known as National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Diseases), visit www.nacc.org.uk

Charity registered in England Number: 1117148
Charity registered in Scotland Number: SC038632
A company limited by guarantee in England. Company number: 5973370