Material
Like stainless steel, aluminium radiators tend to have a higher price tag, but for good reason. In return for the extra pounds, you get the highest heat output compared to a radiator of the same size and water content in other materials which makes them great for compact spaces as well as open plan rooms. For those of us who are keen to do our bit for the environment, aluminium is by far the best choice. Because of the higher heat output, the aluminium radiator you purchase doesn't need to be as big, meaning it requires less water to be heated. Smaller radiator/less water + higher heat output/heating on for less time = as environmentally friendly as a radiator can (currently) get. This also means they are better for your bank account, so although you may need to spend some extra cash when you purchase, in the long run, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint in your warm cosy home and be saving some money. Aluminium as a material also heats up quickly, which means that the radiator achieves its heat output quicker than other materials. This gives you more control over your heating system as a whole, reducing the amount of time you need your central heating to be on and therefore reducing the energy usage across your home.
Style
A popular pick for those looking to add a touch of design to their home, the flat style offers a sleek feel that will work with pretty much any décor. The hollow front and back panels, topped with chrome caps, are connected to two horizontal round tubes (these are called collectors) at the top and bottom. Vertical tubes run between these panels in the middle of the radiator. The hollow panels provide a greater surface area and therefore greater heat output (similar to the functionality of convector radiators).
Panels
Double panel radiators have two panels, one behind the other. Ideal for those walls that have a lot of dead space, but the room still needs a lot of heat, double panels offer a much greater heat output than their single panel sisters while still taking up the same amount of wall space and in most cases, they have the same projection – so they wont stick out into the room too much.
Colour
Black, the colour that always fits and never fades. This matt black powder painted radiator is exactly what your home needs. Black radiators go well with anything. As a colour, there are few shades or hues that it does not complement. Whether providing effective shadow tones to an already dark background, or a striking contrast to more brightly coloured walls, black radiators rarely look out of place. As well as suiting a great variety of home styles, black is a very forgiving shade. It won't show dust, dirt, or rust like white so you know they will look great well into the future.
Heat Source
A central heating or hot water radiator is one that is plumbed into your homes central heating system. Whether you have a Combi boiler, gravity fed (conventional) system or a system with a cylinder, you can install this radiator.
Accessories
This radiator has G1/2” connections either side at the bottom and so the valves required will depend on your pipework (which is why they aren’t provided with the radiator):
- For pipework coming from the wall to the side of the radiator, use corner valves.
- For pipework coming from the floor and up to the side of the radiator, use angled valves.
- For pipework coming along the wall to meet the side of the radiator, use straight valves.
There are a few different types of valves available for you to choose from: Manual Valves provide easy on/off control – simply turn the valve by hand to allow the water from your central heating to pass through into the radiator or towel rail, just like a tap! If this radiator is going to be in the same room as your main boiler thermostat (usually a little box on the wall or the mantle, that you turn up and down) then we advise you to use manual valves over TRV’s because a TRV will conflict with your boiler thermostat and can cause temperature issues around the home. Thermostatic Valves (TRVs) provide multi temperature control of the radiators in your home – saving energy and money! These valves have sensor mechanisms inside that shut off the flow of hot water to the radiator when the room temperature reached the desired level! If your looking to reduce your carbon footprint while remaining cosy warm, then TRV’s are the way to go (provided they aren’t installed in the room where your main boiler thermostat is).
