Have you been thinking of refurbishing your living room or luxury kitchen design to improve the overall appearance of the space while also bringing in the required heat?
If you answered yes, then you might want to know everything about the best renewable energy installation available in the market.
You may also want to consider the idea of adding cheap radiators that are snazzier instead of some boring, white panel to your interiors.
This is where you can think of installing a designer curved bay radiator at home.
When it comes to choosing a radiator to update your renovation project, you might probably keep it for later until the majority of the work is completed.
However, it’s recommended that you plan ahead in time – that way, you’ll not only save money but also ensure that the selected radiator compliments the colour scheme and other design elements of the room.
In this article, we’ll be sharing everything (from the right design and heat output to the right size and material type) that you need to know about radiators.
Let’s dive in!
Contents
1. Choose the Right Type of Radiator
From electric, curved radiators to plumbed-in ones, there are an array of heating systems available in the market.
That said, to avoid any kind of confusion, it’s important for you to understand whether you’re looking for a replacement or an extension for the current system.
Having said that, if you’ve already installed a plumbed-in radiator, it doesn’t mean you can’t consider adding an electric one to heat your space.
All you need to do is ensure that you know the difference between the two:
- When it comes to plumbed-in radiators, they utilise hot water that’s generated by your boiler to heat the room and the system is mostly controlled as a segment of your central heating unit.
- Electric radiators, on the other hand, work on electricity and in individual rooms. While some of them need an electrician for the installation process, the others can be easily plugged into the socket. What’s more, these also have a higher heat output, making them a better option.
Calculate the Heat Output of the Selected Heating System
Once you’ve decided on the type of radiator you want for your home, the next step is to calculate its BTU, commonly known as heat output, based on the room you’re planning to install it in.
Since every radiator has its own heat output, you need to figure out how much heat a specific room requires and then decide on its size and style.
You could seek assistance from a professional heating engineer to determine the right heat output of your system.
If you want, however, you can also use online BTU calculators for the same.
To calculate the heat output of your radiators, consider these factors:
- The size of your window openings
- The dimension of your room
- The number of external walls in your home
Determine the Size of Your Radiator
With several manufacturers out there, it’s safe to say that radiators are available in an extensive range of sizes.
This is exactly the reason why it’s important to determine and select the right size for your home.
As a general rule of thumb, the bigger is your radiator the more is its heat output and vice versa.
However, if you’re short on space or don’t want to install a heating unit, then leaving it be would be the most cost effective and space saving option for your home.
Check the Material of the Heating Unit
Conventionally, radiators are designed using stainless steel because of its robustness, agility and efficiency.
Moreover, heating units made using this material are not only available in polished finishes but are also extremely long lasting.
Stainless steel is also known to be impervious to water, which makes radiators made of this material a much affordable option.
Another material that you could consider for your radiators is aluminium.
It’s not only lightweight and visually appealing but also heats up your room in a quick and efficient manner.
They’re also an eco-friendly option and can be recycled into anything.
While these are two of the most popular materials used to design radiators, there are many options that you could choose from.
Select the Right Position to Install the Radiator
Radiators are normally installed under windows in order to prevent cold draughts.
Nonetheless, if you’ve double or triple glazed your home, then this won’t have to be your only option.
Here, remember that, if you’re replacing your heating unit with the existing one, the pipes might be already installed in the traditional location.
While this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to reposition your heating system, it will certainly require some additional work.
When it comes to the positioning of your radiator, your wall can also be an issue.
Although brick, block or masonry walls are strong and offer considerable options, studwork walls would require you to hang your system, limiting both the shape and size of your heating unit.
Pro Tip: Take all these points into consideration and then decide on a position for your radiator.
If you’re really stuck when it comes to positions, you might want to consider going for an electric radiators like these chrome models from Trade Radiators.
By opting for electric, you don’t need to have the radiator piped into the wall, therefore allowing you to place a radiator as high or low as you like (just as long as it can be plugged or wired up to your electric).
To Conclude
While these are some of the most important points that you need to keep in mind while choosing an efficient radiator for your home, it’s equally crucial to conduct regular maintenance.
By servicing (or bleeding) your radiator on a frequent basis, you’re preventing issues like cold patches, air build-up and more, maintaining its efficiency, lowering your carbon footprint and energy bills while also improving its overall lifespan!