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Radiators

12 replies

HideHide · 20/08/2017 18:22

Any advice regarding 2/3/4 column radiators? I prefer this more classic style but am flummoxed by the choice. Any do's/don'ts or experience?
They will be for 2 new bedrooms and possibly the new kitchen/diner too

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 20/08/2017 18:33

radiator size you need is determined by heat loss from the room.

Is the old radiator big enough for the room, even on a very cold night?

What are its dimensions? Single or double?

HideHide · 20/08/2017 21:05

Two new bedrooms in a new extension. Double rooms, approx 2.8 x 4m each

OP posts:
HideHide · 20/08/2017 21:10

Plan attached. Not sure how id go about calculating heatloss?

Radiators
OP posts:
Coughingchildren5 · 20/08/2017 22:04

You can use an online calculator like this one....

www.homesupply.co.uk/radiator_output_calculator.php

This will tell you the BTU needed for that room and will help narrow down your choice of radiators. Go for a higher value if it is a drafty room.

You might find that once you factor in the space available and the BTU needed, you have to choose a particular rad to meet the criteria.

PigletJohn · 20/08/2017 22:14

nor me, but in similar sized rooms, I just checked, I have rads of nominal output just over 2kW. A TRV prevents the room getting overheated. IIRC I upgraded them from singles to doubles.

Housebuilders tend to undersize rads because they use a calculator based on optimistic assumptions. I used to work away a lot and in the days before programmable stats, the original rads took a long time to bring the house up to temperature, and were inadequate in really cold weather. The benefit to the builder is that it cuts their costs.

For comparison, using a corrugated flat steel radiator, it's only 1200mm x 600mm (double), which is nothing out of the ordinary in a reasonable-sized bedroom.

Looking at column rads, it seems that a 4-column rad of roughly similar size has similar output, though it will stick out from the wall more. But the cast-iron column rads I am used to were about a metre tall.

If you mean a vertical column rad, it will be pretty big though IMO tall radiators are better for heating ceilings. A low-wide radiator spreads the heat more evenly through the room.

Column radiators are very heavy.

I would probably put it on the long external wall. Near the window would limit your choice of curtains.

Opinions differ, but I find column radiators rather intrusive.

PigletJohn · 20/08/2017 22:18

Grin I just used coughing's calculator, and it thinks I need 911W for my bedrooms.

With real-life experience, I find that far too little.

namechangedtoday15 · 20/08/2017 22:43

Just to say that I purchased radiators based on a similar type of calculator - room size, windows, external walls, whats over and beneath it etc. Worked out what the recommended BTUs were, looked for radiators with slightly more BTUs and its been fine. Extension / radiators in by last September so we've done a winter, and for someone who is always cold, haven't been cold once (and heating bills haven't been significantly more). I think (in comparison to the 1930s "old" house), the extension is much better insulated and the radiators are much more efficient.

For what its worth, a structural engineer friend recommended Acova column radiators. He also said the white ones retain their heat better for some reason when the heating is turned off, so they're overall more efficient. We have the tall vertical column radiators which are great particularly in the bedroom where we didn't want to use up lots of wall space with a radiator which would have compromised furniture placement, but they look great. Really pleased with them.

Lindtnotlint · 20/08/2017 22:53

Acova are great. Really good value for something so stylish looking. Come in all sort so of sizes and 2,3,4 column versions depending on heat requirements. I love them and we have them everywhere after our fab architect tipped us off to using them rather than anything more expensive...

HideHide · 21/08/2017 08:34

Thanks all, Ive used that calculator and its a good starting point. Top tip re Acova too, noted Wink

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 21/08/2017 20:31

I'd be interested if anyone else will use that calculator and see how the results compare to the rads they've already got, and if the rooms are well-heated.

Coughingchildren5 · 21/08/2017 22:02

There are lots of these kinds of calculators available on the web. You could try a few to see if there is much variance. I always choose a rad with a minimum output of the advised BTU for the room dimensions because we have a big system and lots of drafts. So far no problems. As the OP says it's a helpful starting point in a sea of radiators.

OC75 · 19/03/2019 07:43

Has anyone experience of the Milano Windsor range from bestheating.com. They are the only ones I can find that are in our budget range? I am a bit nervous about purchasing online and can't seem to find independent reviews of this range.

The next is the Acova from screwfix but they are more expensive.

Your thoughts would be a big help.

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