#featureradiators

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.

Spring is in the air, so our thoughts don’t necessarily turn to heating, but as summer approaches now is almost the perfect time to perform maintenance on or upgrade your central heating system and radiators.

  The new season always brings exciting new products to the radiator market and this year is no exception.

  Feature Radiators are particularly pleased with the latest additions they have selected for their range.  They are keen to show them off so last week was dedicated to re-vamping the displays at their West Yorkshire showroom; it’s out with the old and in with the new.

  New models on display include Alchemy – a range of high output aluminium radiators stocked for quick delivery in 4 funky finishes, Crest – an exclusive, highly efficient and very well priced vertical radiator available from stock in both white and “anodised” finishes and iRad Picture – a practical, slimline electric radiator with a choice of stunning graphic images printed on the front face.

  New products coming in has led to a number of older products going out, the suppliers are keen to clearout and as a consequence are offering fantastic deals on last year’s radiators.  For instance, Feature Radiators are offering a number of products for sale from their Clearance range that are from brand new stock but now discontinued.  Look at the Tubo Minor, Mini Hot Spring and Riva as examples of stunning designer radiators, on sale at hugely discounted prices. 

  Showroom makeovers also lead to a wealth of ex-display models being available at rock bottom prices, such as Feature Radiators’ Bingley Warehouse Stock Clearout, giving you the opportunity to purchase designer radiators starting from only £50 + VAT. 

  To see a comprehensive selection of brand new radiators or discontinued and ex-display products, visit the Feature Radiators' website http://www.featureradiators.co.uk, or better still, speak to their expert team either via phone on 01274 567789 or in person at their West Yorkshire showroom.

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

Hot off the press is the news that radiators are the latest topic on many celebs’ lips!  No longer an ugly necessity in our homes, radiators have recently undergone a major make-over and regularly feature in the properties of well-known celebrities.  Radiators are now also stars in their own right, appearing on many of our most popular British TV programmes. 

  A certain style icon has been seen eyeing up posh radiators recently, but this spicy lady isn’t the only celebrity to be upgrading the radiators in their home. 

  Rumour has it that ‘it’ girl, multi-millionairess and owner of net-a-porter.com, Natalie Massanet, has been renovating her luxurious London base with the inclusion of some Etonian cast iron radiators.  Jamie and Jules Oliver have chosen the same radiators to add to the warm, family feel of their Primrose Hill property. 

  Colin and Justin, TV stylists and presenters of 60-minute makeover, admit to their love of fabulous, feature radiators.  A premiership footballer opted for particularly “striking” radiators that curl around the walls of his contemporary home.  And rock ‘n’ roller, Shakin’ Stevens loves Classic radiators in his Buckinghamshire palace. 

  A well-known hotelier has installed the latest in electric radiators, iRads, alongside stunning stainless steel towel rails from the Alpine range in her stunning country house hotel.  Movie star and model, Saffron Burrows chose suitably stylish electric heating from the Bordo range in her London home. 

  Celebrities can be demanding; a certain engineering enthusiast requested radiators hanging from the ceiling when sourcing top gear for his home.  Interiors expert, Naomi Cleaver, required an unusually shaped towel warmer in green for her latest, particularly personal, project, her new home:

  'I located the rather amazing company, Feature Radiators, who are making me a "landscape" towel rail in a sprayed coloured finish at the excellent price of £300'

  Cleaver, N. (2011), Naomi’s New Home [online] Available at: http://naomicleaver.typepad.com/naomis-new-home/  [Accessed 14 March 2011]

  And its not just celebrity cribs that feature designer radiators, the latest in interior products also have a starring role in many popular TV series. 

  More than cast iron alibis have been needed in the Queen Vic recently, as cast iron radiators are now also appearing, tying in with the Victorian architecture of this world famous pub.  Feature radiators regularly appear in popular interior design and renovation programmes such as DIY SOS, Grand Designs and Sarah Beeny’s Property Ladder.  The infamous Big Brother houses regularly showcased the latest in contemporary heating such as a Bench radiator and even Harry Hill’s TV Burp, known for its classic comedy, has Classic radiators on set. 

Many people find that their Aga, Rayburn or heat storage cooker can generate too much hot water. 

Often the water in the hot water cylinder boils and consequently the water coming out of the taps is far too hot. When this happens, you may need to find a way to “lose” heat from the hot water circuit and the most effective way of doing this is to install a radiator to act as a “heat sink”.  

The information below tells you how to install a radiator on an Aga hot water circuit.   

The key is to maximise the flow of water through the system wherever possible.

Hot water circuits on Agas are gravity fed. In other words, they rely solely on natural convection to circulate the hot water, without the need for a pump. For this reason, it is important to maximise the flow of water both in and out of the radiator. This is done through both the design of the system and choosing a suitable design of radiator. 

There are many different ways in which you can maximise the flow of water around the circuit.

1.      Maximize the vertical length of flow pipe from the Aga to the radiator

Your radiator should be piped from a joint that is sited as close as possible to the Aga. This maximises the “thermal lift” effect which results in a stronger water flow to the radiator.

2.      Minimise the horizontal distance the water needs to travel

The ideal position for the radiator would be directly above the Aga, so choose a spot that is as close to this as possible.

3.      Minimise the number of restrictions in the water’s flow

Minimising the number of angled joints between the flow and return will help the flow of water. If you need the pipe to turn, then opt for pipes that have been curved using pipe benders instead of angled joints so any “corners” are not as angular. 

4.      Maximise the size of the bore on the pipe and valves

Always use the maximum diameter or “bore” of pipe to and from the radiator. Your hot water circuit up to the hot water tank and back down to the Aga is normally fed by 28mm pipe and, where possible, try to continue the 28mm pipe.

Valves are usually put on a radiator as standard to control the flow of water, but if a direct connection to the radiator without valves can be achieved, then this is preferable. However, where valves are to be used it’s always better (but not mandatory) to use full-bore lever arm ball valves.  Regular radiator valves usually have a much smaller diameter bore, sometimes as small as 5mm. 

Also radiators that have ¾ inch connections are better than radiators that have ½ inch connections.

5.      Maximise the radiator output

The radiator should be connected with the flow at the top of the radiator and return at the bottom of the radiator, at the opposite side.  This will ensure that the whole radiator becomes hot and that there are no cold areas, which could occur if you pipe the flow in at the bottom.

6.      Maximise the size of the radiator’s interconnecting tubes

The best radiators to use on Aga hot water circuits are those with interconnecting tubes that have a large diameter.

Examples include “tube in tube” style towel radiators and tubular steel column radiators such as our Bordo.  The Bordo is a fantastic option in this type of situation, as it is classically styled to suit many interiors, it comes in a variety of finishes including textured and traditional options, it comes in many sizes including both vertical and horizontal models and it can be fitted with a towel hanging rail.  The Bordo can also be fitted with ¾ inch connections. 

Many radiators have interconnecting waterways that are small, such as “tube on tube” style towel rails or panel radiators.  This means they are not ideal for use in this type of application. 

7.      Minimise the amount of air in the system

A certain amount of air may build up in radiators over time so utilising an automatic bleed vent will ensure the radiator is kept free from air building up and maximise the water flowing through the radiator.