A Buyer’s Guide to Radiators
The modern radiator is anything but boring, says Amy Reeves, who investigates the trends and what you need to consider before buying
A selection of the best new models
Style is the name of the game for modern radiators. Self-builders and renovators are no longer simply looking for efficient and space-saving heat emitters, but those which enhance an interior scheme, too — from low visual impact models to those that demand attention.
where to start
The first step in choosing the right radiators for your home is calculating the BTU (British Thermal Unit) energy requirement of each space. “All radiators have a specified heat output so once you know how much heat the room needs you can choose the type, size and style to suit your taste and the room,” says energy-efficiency expert Tim Pullen.
Calculators are available on most radiator manufacturers’ websites: factors such as the dimensions of each room, the size of any window openings and how many external walls are present are used to determine an estimate for the heating output suitable for the space. Alternatively, your heating engineer or plumber can make this calculation for you.
Traditionally radiators tended to be positioned under windows or on external walls, as cold air pushes the heat around the room, but with increasing standards of energy efficiency and airtightness in homes, there is a new flexibility around where radiators can be placed. According to Ellie Sawdy of radiator specialist Bisque, placing a radiator under your glazing might actually undermine the efficiency of the system: “This can sometimes be ineffective, particularly in older properties where heat escapes through draughty
windows. Look for tall, slimline options which can fit either side of a doorway, or a compact model which can fit in a tight alcove.”
Efficiency is essential in modern home life and this is where control – of individual radiators as well as whole house heating – is essential. “Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are now ubiquitous, but think about digital programmable valves instead,” says Tim Pullen. “There are lots to choose from at around £25 each, and they really do reduce your heating bill by only heating rooms when and to what temperature you want.”
hottest trends
No longer are cheap, pressed steel radiators the only option; designer radiators are available in many different styles, shapes, sizes and finishes.
While luxury radiators can come with a high price tag, they usually offer a sleeker installation including hidden brackets for hanging your radiator on the wall.
“My advice is to treat buying a radiator as a luxury purchase,” says Steve Birch, sales director at Aestus. “Investing in a quality radiator is far more effective in the long term,” concurs Bisque’s Ellie Sawdy. “There’s no point watching the pennies and purchasing a cheap radiator you’ll have to replace
“Thermostatic radiator valves are now ubiquitous – think about digital programmable valves instead. They really do reduce your heating bill”
after a few years, due to rusting, peeling, dulling and so forth.”
The latest lightweight aluminium models allow the home to be heated quickly while offering a sleeker, more modern aesthetic. In a more traditional home, cast iron designs can be matched to the decor and retain the warmth for longer.
Warmer-look metallic finishes such as copper, antique bronze and brass are becoming popular decorative features in their own right. What’s more, many manufacturers of premium products offer a colour-matching service, or models with acid-etched patterns.