Choosing the right radiators to heat your home as efficiently as possible is important for a variety of reasons: partly those of convenience and ease, but also because heating your home efficiently can cut down significantly on heating bills and is beneficial to the environment.
However, distinguishing one type of radiator as the most efficient is not a simple process, as this question will mean different things to different customers and depends on a number of variable factors. Indeed, it can be said that all radiators are equally efficient in an objective sense considering that the energy put into a radiator will equal the amount of heat it gives out, as long as the radiator is functioning properly. With that in mind, radiator efficiency in terms of which one is right for you comes down to various factors.
- The first is which size and surface area to go for. A radiator’s surface area determines its maximum heat output: the larger the radiator’s surface area, the higher the potential maximum heat output. Radiators use various methods to increase their surface areas, such as convector, fins, or double or triple panels. Radiators with these kinds of features all have a higher potential maximum energy output than flat panel radiators.
- Tubular designs, such as classic Victorian cast iron radiators, have a very large surface area, which is one reason why this design continues to be so popular. Another factor, although a far less significant one, is water capacity: the less water a radiator holds, the quicker it fills up and heats up, so in terms of time is more efficient. However, water capacity does not tend to vary very much between types of radiator. One thing that can make a significant difference is the material which radiators are made from.
- Cast iron radiators heat up and cool down slowly, and radiate heat evenly, making them a great choice for heating large spaces, living areas, and bedrooms.
- Aluminium radiators heat up much more quickly and are better for radiating short, intense blasts of heat, making them popular choices for things like heated towel rails. In terms of the finish of the radiator, this is thought to make a difference but only a negligible one.
- The only significant difference can be found in radiators with a chrome finish, which – despite this being a popular choice because of the way it looks – radiates approximately twenty percent less heat than most other finishes (it is for this reason that chrome ‘space blankets’, used to keep athletes warm, are finished in chrome, as it keeps heat in rather than radiating it).
Therefore, a painted finish can make for a significantly more efficient radiator, but beyond this other factors, such as colour, make such a negligible difference that they are not worth taking into account – matt black would theoretically be the most efficient choice, although aesthetics should take priority here.
