A-Z of DIY & Building Guides How to Heat Your Home

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5. Radiators And Warm-Air Heating (Image 5 of 8)

Once upon a time we would have scoffed at the thought of a designer radiator, but now they're as common as designer sofas! The most expensive kind will be a real feature for your home, but however much you choose to pay for your radiator, you mustn't forget the practicalities.

The key is to match your radiator to the specific needs of each room. For a bathroom, for example, it's a good idea to go for radiators that double up as towel rails or shelves (try MHS Radiators for a good selection). Elsewhere in your home, you need to think very carefully about style, size (radiators need to be properly sized to ensure you get the correct heat output for each room) and the space you have available.

A British Gas heating sales advisor can help you pick the right radiator for your home, and give you a quote for a central heating boiler at the same time. Call 0845 775 4754 to arrange a free visit.

What should I buy?

Most radiators are made of steel, chrome, aluminium or cast iron, but more unusual materials including stone and even glass (try The Glass Radiator Company) are starting to make a breakthrough. In all cases, however, make sure a thermostat is fitted to each one to aid efficiency. Aluminium: Light and easy to install, and quick to dissipate heat.
Cast iron: Of all the radiator types, these take the longest to heat up, but they will also retain the heat for longest.
Steel: Most easily contorted into sexy shapes, and are somewhere between aluminium and cast iron in terms of heating efficiency.
Stainless steel: Extremely durable, and a common choice.
Glass: Almost invisible and therefore good for small rooms where you need to create the illusion of space.
Stone: Has natural heat-retaining properties and the look is great for contemporary or rustic homes.
Reclaimed radiators: Old, cast-iron radiators can look lovely in period homes, but be careful if you are attempting to find your own through salvage or reclamation yards, as they may have cracks that you can't see, making them susceptible to leaks and further disintegration. Also look out for rust patches at the joints, which are a tell-tale sign that the radiator has leaked in the past, so it's important that you have them reconditioned by professionals before you attempt to install them, or have them installed, in your home.
Specialists in reclaimed radiators (such as The Old Radiator Company) have a good selection of restored radiators for you to choose from. Alternatively, they will collect and re-condition the radiators you already have.

Warm-air heating

A warm-air unit basically works in the same way as a boiler, but heats air, rather than water, and it can be fueled by either gas (compatible with a condensing boiler) or electricity. But why choose warm-air heating over conventional central heating? Well, there are a couple of good reasons. It's a source of instant heat, so there's no waiting for radiators to warm up, and the air is introduced into the various rooms in the home through grills or vents, which can be fitted flush to the ceilings or the floor.

There was a bit of a rush on warm-air heating systems in the late 1960s and 1970s, and if you have one, you should know that these now need replacing. Modern systems produce a more even heat and some models can be fitted with cooling options. Bear in mind though, that you'll need a separate form of water heating. For more information go to www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk


More Heating Info
For more about designer radiators, click here

Need a new boiler? Find out more here

Is your insulation any good? Click here to read up

Need to bleed a radiator? Click here to find out how