We at the Radiator Works aim to answer most of your frequently asked questions about designer radiators and central heating radiators. However, if you have a question about our radiator products, which is not listed below, please use our contact page to ask any questions you may have.
IF YOU HAVE NOT FOUND THE ANSWER YOU REQUIRE CLICK HERE TO SEND US YOUR QUESTION (S)
All of our radiators are compatible with normal central heating systems and have British Standard Fittings. You can replace however many radiators you want on any existing systems.
The radiators can be installed by any plumber, or by a DIY enthusiast with knowledge of radiator installation.
You will need to add another radiator to that room in order to provide the shortfall output required. Any type of radiator can be used to do this, although aluminium radiators have the greatest output for their size.
1 BTU/3.412 = 1 Watt
Watt X 3.412 = 1 BTU
Yes. They are no more expensive than a standard radiator to run. They are very efficient heat emitters and hold heat extremely well, meaning the radiator stays warm for longer after it has been turned off. Cast Iron radiators are the most effective radiators for this reason.
A heating engineer will need to calculate the exact room requirements, however the following calculations give an accurate approximation. If you are doubtful, choose the larger radiator and fit a thermostatic radiator valve.
Lounge/Dining Room Multiply by 50
Bedroom Multiply by 40
Common Area/Kitchen Multiply by 30
Bathroom Multiply by 90
North Facing Add 15%
French Window Add 20%
Double Glazing Subtract 10%
Exposed site/Cold Weather Add 10%
The only difference in installing an aluminium radiator to steel or cast iron is that a different inhibitor must be used in order to avoid corrosion. These are available from most popular plumber merchants.
Radiators should be positioned in the coldest parts of a room in order for the maximum effectiveness. Usually this is an outside wall by a window, but it is fine to place a radiator anywhere to suit your furnishings. If you do not have enough room for the right size radiator, two smaller radiators will work as effectively.
Wrap at least five turns of PTFE tape around the threaded tails of a valve and screw them into the radiator. Ensure the PFTE tape stays on the thread rather than running along it as you tighten up. If it runs, undo the valve and roughen the thread slightly with a hacksaw blade then re-tape. Some valves have parallel threads so they never tighten against a stop as a traditional valve might so more PFTE is required in this instance. The advantage of a parallel thread is they fit the same depth on all radiators so giving pipe centres is more accurate and the thread is completely hidden.
One valve is temperature control; the other is a lockshield valve to balance the radiators within the system to all heat up at the same rate. The radiator closest to the boiler would heat up more than the others if the lockshield was not in place, so the lockshield should be more open further away from the boiler.
Yes, but on very big cast iron radiators (3500 Watts plus) it can prove to be problematic upon balancing the central heating system.
Yes. But as there is a lot of mass in cast iron, the radiators stay warmer for longer after they have been turned off. Therefore the changes in a room heated with cast iron radiators are gentler than those with standard fitted.
Heating a home is partially about heating the fabrics of the building. Cast Iron radiators are becoming ever more popular once more amongst heating engineers and architects as they tend to retain warmth in the fabric of the building, hence counteracting damp and condensation.
TRV controls the room temperature by sensing the room air temperature and automatically opening or closing the flow in order to maintain preset temperatures. A manual valve controls the temperature of the radiator regardless of the room air temperature. Radiators of 1800 Watts or more are recommended to use TRVs as they save people having to continually adjust the radiator temperature.
Cellulose or Acrylic Car Spray Paint is most commonly used to paint radiators, so you don’t need to splash out a lot of money as these paints are designed to cope with extremes of temperature. Emulsion paint can be used, but it tends to crack and peel after a while.
Powder coating produces an astounding finish, but this can damage the paper seals between sections, particularly on cast iron radiators. Replacing these is a very difficult task. If you wish to use powder coating though, find a one, which used a low temperature baking process.
Stocked items, mainly whites, chromes and grey metallics take approximately 7-10 days, smaller radiators can be sent by courier, which takes 4 working days. Cast Iron radiators take 7-10 days when ordered in primer, and 3-5 weeks in a colour (style dependant).
Yes. We have an extensive range of all our radiators located in the North East’s first designer radiator showroom.
Yes, Mainland UK deliveries are £25 per order, however there are limitations upon this fee in certain remote areas, such as North of Perth, Mid and North Wales and South of Exeter. This only applies to some radiators though.
BOE - Bottom opposite end valve connections (as standard radiator)
BBOE - Bottom Bottom opposite ends (as towel rails/Connections underneath)
TBOE - Top & Bottom Opposite ends (many old cast iron radiators connected TBOE)
TBSE - Top & Bottom Same Ends (many old cast iron radiators connected TBSE)