vintage cast iron column radiators

[SparkyUK]

Does anyone have advice on vintage cast iron column radiators like this? We have some in the house we just bought and they are lovely looking with the original brassy finish but the plumber is saying that even if we get them refurbished they still will be horribly inefficient and will be burning hot to touch but not actually "thow the heat" so the room won't warm up.

We are replacing the central heating system anyway as it all dates to about 1935, so new rads in most of the rooms, but we were thinking of keeping the two really nice looking vintage radiators in the landings. Are we going to regret it when we have to walk through a cold hallway every winter and when DSx2 coming crying with burnt fingers?

I'm always suspicious of builders wanting to replace original things as I know it is a lot easier to work with the modern versions, but that said, I do think I remember burning myself on radiators growing up...

I live in a 1850's house with big rooms and high ceilings and have these type of radiators in most rooms except a couple of bedrooms. There is no difference in the heat output. Infact the cast iron ones stay warm for a couple of hours after the heating has been turned off, though they do take a little longer to heat up fully.

Unless you go for a modern radiator with a built in fan, they work exactly the same as normal ones.

They can get very hot but as my rooms are large I like that. Anyway I have thermometers fitted so no need to worry about burnt fingers

It's my guess that your plumber just doesn't want the bother as they are extremely heavy and you probably cant use modern compression fittings. He may also offer to do you a favour by getting rid of them for you. They are very desirable and once refurbished sell for a lot of money. Or he may just sell them for scrap but either way they are valuable.

I would definately keep them if I were you.

agree with jq, they take longer to warm up but slower to cool down. DONT get your plumber to take them away. they are worth quite a bit of money.

keep if i were you. they are beautiful and very expensive to buy back if you were to chang your mind.

the builders know we are salvaging everything so I don't think it's a case of him wanting to take them to make money, but more just not wanting the hassel of dealing with heavy old things. But we've decided to keep them anyway (thank you for your reassurances) and will take them to be refurbished and new valves put on this this weekend.

we have these in rooms with high ceilings & they work fine.

Use a thermastat control knob on each radiator to regulate heat as they can heat up really hot to touch.

also get any gunk flushed out of them before they are installed