Winter-Ready Homes: A Guide to Selecting the Best Radiator for Any Space

With more choice than ever before, Nick Duggan, MD of The Radiator Centre, talks us through some of the considerations when choosing how best to heat our homes

What types of radiators are available?

From designer styles and art radiators to traditional cast iron models and the very latest electric designs, the radiator market offers consumers a plethora of choice. Most designs now come in a extensive range of colours and finishes, so there will be something to complement every home.

To work out what size you need for your home start by calculating the heat output required for your room, which can be done by using an online heat calculator. The results will show an amount in either watts or BTUs (BTU stands for British Thermal Unit which is the standard heat measurement used in the UK).

All radiators will state an output in either watts, BTUs or both. By knowing how much heat each radiator will emit, you can now find the best one to efficiently heat each room based on your earlier heat calculation.

If you install a radiator that is too small for the room, the energy required to heat the room will be greater than the radiator can produce, meaning the room will always be too cold. If your room is on the cold side of the house, draughty and poorly insulated, a larger radiator will be required to heat it to the same standard as a similar sized room that is facing south, has efficiently insulated cavity walls and triple glazing. In larger rooms, you may even need more than one radiator. If you install a radiator that’s too big for the room, you’ll be producing too much heat, so constantly having to turn it down, which could mean you’ll be wasting energy.

What are the features and benefits of plumbed vs electric radiators?

Choosing between plumbed and electric radiators depends on your specific needs, existing infrastructure and preferences for control and energy efficiency. Sometimes it is not possible to plumb in a radiator due to the cost of laying new pipe work or getting gas to a new boiler. Having electric radiators might prove to be a sensible alternative.

The key consideration when choosing an electric radiator should be its controllability, as this will ultimately be the thing that determines how efficient you can make it run. Having 24/7 timers allow you set precise on/off times so you have the heat just when you need it. Most electric radiators will come with an override button if you should then need to turn them on outside the usual schedule. Many will also come with apps that allow you to see what is working in real time.

‘Holiday’ functions are also a bonus, allowing the heating to come on if the temperature drops too low, in order to protect water pipes, etc while you are away. This is more cost-effective than leaving the heating on full for the duration of a two week winter holiday.

Since 2018, all electric radiators should also have ‘open window’ sensors. These detect drafts from doors and windows and will shut the radiator down until the opening is closed. This means no more heat being lost out of a window in the middle of winter.

There is a definite growth in interest for electric radiators for a number of reasons and they are becoming a lot more controllable and energy efficient as a result. Many flats, especially in and around London, rely on old, large and inefficient storage heaters. These can now be swapped out for something smaller and more stylish. Likewise, properties which have tended to use oil in the past are switching to electric as the fluctuations in running costs can be less severe.

Plumbed radiators on the other hand, can be more energy-efficient, especially when connected to a modern, energy-efficient boiler or heat pump. They spread heat evenly and are well-suited to larger homes. Typically controlled via a central thermostat, this allows for the regulation of temperature across multiple radiators in the home, which may also be done via an app with the correct set up. Although the initial installation may be higher, running costs can be lower, especially with a well-maintained boiler or heat pump, leading to savings over time. Many homeowners also prefer the look of plumbed radiators, especially in older homes where they match the traditional style.

What are the design options for your home’s radiators?

Whether you favour traditional styles or more cutting edge designs, you will find some beautiful options available which will make a stylish addition to the home. Radiators are no longer just functional white boxes, many of today’s designs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, not to mention every colour of the rainbow. Indeed, with some of the latest art radiators, you’d be forgiven for not realising it was a radiator at all.  

What are the sustainability considerations?

Sustainability is a huge factor for everyone and in the heating sector there are some great energy-efficient designs that are now on the market, with more being introduced all the time. One of the recent models, the Soho, features a remarkable water saving of approximately 80% less than a traditional tubular multi-column radiator. When you have less water in the system it means less energy if required to heat it up, saving on cost as well as energy consumption.

With the rise of consumers using heat pumps, we are now also seeing many more models coming through which are compatible with these low temperature systems. To truly maximise the efficiency of a heat pump system, it’s vital that consumers choose the right complementary technology. Fan convectors are a good choice as they are specifically designed to work at between 30C and 45C, whilst still delivering the required heat output.