The science of radiators is probably something most of us are taught in basic physics lessons at school. It's all about harnessing heat. Keeping our homes warm is crucial, especially during a cold snap. Winter can be dangerous for the elderly and vulnerable: cold kills. In every home across the UK, radiators are crucial in keeping the nation comfortable and cosy. So how do radiators work?
Heat radiation and insulation are increasingly crucial topics in a climate where energy resources are dwindling and becoming increasingly costly. And as climate change threatens us with potentially volatile and extreme weather, our radiators and how we make the most of them, matter. It's no use having your radiators on full blast but having draughty windows or a poorly insulated loft - you may as well throw your money out of the window. Although it may cost to insulate your home, it's possible to calculate the time it will take for these measures to start paying off. The less you use your radiators, the more you'll save in the long run.
Heat is a thermal energy, which means it can be transferred by conduction, convection and radiation. Metals are good conductors of heat, fluids are a good convector of heat, and a vacuum can only transfer heat energy by radiation. It can sound crazy placing radiators under windows, but in fact, the physics behind it is as the cold air comes in, the radiators heat up the air and the convection currents transfer heat around the house. But to maximise your radiators you need to reduce heat loss - heat energy can leave the house through the loft and roof tiles, and heat can also leave the house by radiation through the walls, roof and windows.
So if you want to reduce your energy bills and make the most of your radiators, you should consider investing in loft insulation, double glazing for your windows and good curtains, fit draught excluders around your doors, and even fit cavity wall insulation. Carpets are also better at holding onto heat and reducing draughts. You may even be eligible for a home energy grant to help pay for certain things like cavity wall and loft insulation with the new government scheme for 2020.
Radiators come in many different shapes and sizes. But whatever your preference of radiator styles Heatandplumb.com is sure to have the right radiator for you. You'll find expert advice and top of the range heating and plumbing products from all of the big brands. Call our dedicated customer service team on 0203 113 2122 or use our live chat facility.
Underfloor heating sounds luxurious and modern, but it's not automatically superior to radiators despite what showroom displays suggest. Both systems have genuine strengths and real limitations that affect comfort, cost, and practicality. Understanding these differences helps you choose based on your actual circumstances rather than aspirational magazine images of minimal spaces with invisible heating. Here's what separates them in real-world use.
Radiators are remarkably low-maintenance heating components, but completely neglecting them leads to reduced efficiency, higher bills, and eventual failure requiring expensive repairs or replacement. Basic maintenance takes minimal time and costs almost nothing whilst preventing the majority of common radiator problems. Here's what actually needs doing - and when.
Whether you’re opting for stylish heating panels for modern rooms or something more traditional, getting radiator sizing wrong leaves you either shivering through winter or wasting money heating rooms excessively with oversized units that cost more upfront and potentially run inefficiently.
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