What to look for in a radiator

How confident are you really when it comes to picking new appliances for your home? When it comes to things like washing machines and microwaves, it is usually pretty easy to come to a decision because you know your parameters. You will have a certain size in mind. There are probably certain features that you know you want, and may even have an energy efficiency rating in mind too.

However, when it comes to the often overlooked radiator, how confident are you? I don’t think I am alone in thinking that radiators can seem like a bit of a mystery. I think it is because they are so seldom replaced that the ins and outs of them largely go unnoticed.

After suffering through a cold snap with subpar radiators, I decided to bone up on what you should be looking for so I could be well informed about picking out replacements for my old clunkers. Here are my top 4 tips:

1. Knowing when to change them out

Radiators are hardworking pieces of kit. I think my old ones have been working away for about 30 years going on some of the model numbers. While well taken care of radiators can last this long, if not longer, a life of 20 years is more realistic for older models. When you buy a new radiator, most will come with a guarantee of about 10 years. They can certainly last longer than that but will need a little more upkeep.

If they aren’t getting warm, even after been flushed and bleed then it is definitely time for a change.

2. What BTU’s do you need?

Not all radiators are created equal. If you are in the market for a new one, then it’s important to find out what you actually need. BTU’s (British Thermal Unit) are how the heat required to make a room warm is measured. If you have no idea what the BTU of your room is you can find BTU calculators that will tell you. All you need to know is the size of the room in question. Just pop BTU calculator into Google and lots will pop up. Once you know this important measurement you can narrow down your radiator search dramatically. Most sites will let you filter by BTU output.

3. Power source

Put your hand up if you thought radiators always had to be plumbed in. I certainly did! I chalked up electric radiators to energy-guzzling (and usually ugly looking) electric heaters. However you can now get a whole range of electric radiators that look exactly like normal radiators, I even found cast iron electric radiators here at Trade Radiators.

A big benefit of electric radiators is that you can put them practically anywhere, all they need is somewhere to be plugged in. I think we can all agree that getting a new power socket installed is much simpler than replumbing pipes!

Electric isn’t for everyone though, if you are considering replacing standard radiators with electric you will want to weigh up energy costs. Depending on where you live, the cost of electric versus other forms of fuel could differ widely.

4. Width and style

When you know how powerful your new radiator needs to be and what will power it, you get to the fun part. You will be spoilt for choice with different styles and looks. You can still get traditional radiators but they are by no means your only choice. Consider how much space you have and what look you are going for.

Compact radiators with a high BTU output are likely to be quite wide for example. The last thing you want is to get a shiny new radiator only to find that it takes a significant chunk out of the space available in your room. So be sure to also keep an eye on the dimension of your chosen radiator before heading to the checkout.

I hope this has given you a basic primer on what you should be looking for in a radiator. With this newfound confidence, it is time to start looking for the perfect fit for your home.