How to Choose Radiators for a Traditional English Cottage

This article will be relevant only to those of you lucky enough to live in a stereotypical, English country cottage. These are the cottages with the thatched roofs or the red tiles, which were popular in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. They may be relatively rare, but there remain thousands out there. So while this article may appear obscure, it is relevant for a great many people.

Most of these houses are listed properties, and this means that will be rules about what you can and cannot change about the property and the surrounding area. Our first piece of advice, then, is to check with the correct authorities that you are allowed to change the radiators. You can get in trouble if you start changing things, and if you do something as drastic as changing the central heating system, will certainly get you more than a wrapped knuckle. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Now that we have discussed the important stuff, let’s get on to the fun stuff, choosing the radiator:

1.       Keep it in style. One of the reasons that you probably own a country cottage is because you love that quintessentially British style. It is important, therefore, that when you choose the radiators that you choose traditional radiators that match the style. For example, the thatch cottages would have had a hearth (and some still do), so the best thing you can do here is to have a radiator that you place in the fireplace. However, this can be very impractical, and the house, at some stage after it was built, was properly equipped with central heating. Rather than copying the existing style, opt for a style the matches the house. For example, cast iron radiators will look fantastic in an old Victorian home.

2.       Make sure that you get the right heat output. Older houses are surprisingly well insulated. They have very thick walls, which serve to trap heat in winter, while keeping the home cool in summer. They are fantastic in this respect (I know, I grew up in a 17th century thatch cottage and it was great for heat/cold, not so good for spiders though). Because they are so well insulated, your radiator does not need to offer superior heat. You can look for a lower output, which often means that you will save money, which you can then use to opt for the right style, instead of the heat output.

3.       Keep things minimalistic. When people come to your home, they care more that they are in a historical building, rather than that they are in a home with fantastic radiators. It is much better, then, to avoid going for funky styles, and to stick to minimalistic and traditional radiators instead. If they are too showy they will detract from the house itself, and this would be a great shame.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article. If you would like further information about traditional radiators, then please visit us.

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Top Tips for Saving Money on Your Energy Bills

You probably don’t want to hear it, but summer is leaving us and autumn is about to set in. the cold weather is a matter of weeks away and today is the best time to make sure that you have everything in place for a warm, but inexpensive, winter. Now is the best time to make changes, because it is the time of year when sales of radiators, and their paraphernalia, are at their lowest, and so you can find the best deals. Ok, so let’s look at some of the ways that you can reduce your heating bills.

Modernise Your Heating Controls

If you have an old system, your friends (that don’t know what they’re talking about; we’re sure some of them will know this) and unscrupulous sales people may tell you that you need to buy a new boiler and entire central heating system if you want to save money on your bills. This is ridiculous and for an average of £4000, you can save money on your bills. Preposterous, unless you are playing the very long game, because you won’t make your money back for a decade at least. No, instead, you can try to install a new thermostat. A new thermostat will set you back around £80, but it will allow you to have much more control over the temperature in your home, and consequently, will give you control over the amount of money you spend on your energy bills.

To make the most of your thermostat, place it wisely. You need to avoid cooler or warmer areas, as they will give a false reading. For example, you should not place your thermostat near to the window or the radiator, as it will read as too hot or too cold in comparison to the ambient room temperature.

Work Your Room Properly

You need to make sure that you radiators are placed in the correct positions. It may sound counter intuitive but the most sensible place to put the radiator is under the window or next to the outside door (if there is one). When placing radiators near windows, choose horizontal radiators and place them underneath, or choose two vertical radiators and place one on each side of the window – this can also create a fantastic focal point, because it’s different. When placing radiators next to doors, choose vertical radiators, and hang them on the side opposite the hinges, if you can.

Set the Time Right

You can programme your heating to come on at specific times. You should never have your heating on 24/7, that’s just wasteful. Instead, set it to come on half an hour before you wake up in the morning. Have it switch off half an hour before you leave in the morning. Have it switch back on half an hour before you get home, and then leave it on until a half hour before bedtime. This is the optimum setting for energy conservation.

We hope that you have found this article informative. If you would like further information about energy saving options, or if you are interested in buying new radiators, including vertical radiators, then please visit our website.

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What are the Advantages of Radiators with Columns?

When it comes to buying radiators, many of us do not pay much attention. We tend to buy a similar style to those that exist already. In part, this is due to familiarity, but it can also be down to a lack of understanding of the type of radiators available. If you have looked into buying radiators, and you have done a little research, you will see that there are many choices. One of the most popular styles available is column radiators, and below, we are going to consider why they are held in particular renown within the industry.

What are the Advantages of Column Radiators?

There are many advantages with this style of radiator, hence their popularity. Below, we are going to explain these advantages in more depth.

1.       They are made of cast iron.  Cast iron is a fantastic material from which to make a radiator, because although it takes a time to warm up, once warm, it retains its heat much better, meaning that it offers an even heat over a long period of time.

2.       They consist of columns rather than panels. Columns allow for a much greater surface area, and this means that they are able to produce much more heat than the panel radiators. They are therefore far more economical.

3.       They have a traditional look. For many people this may be unsuitable, but for a number of properties they are actually far more suitable. They have a classic look, and so they can suit a wide range of properties, unfortunately, they are rather up market, so they probably suit an expensive/classy home (- that sounds terrible, but unfortunately, is largely true). However, those of you that want a more modern look do not have to lose out either, there are many contemporary designs available, too, and they come in a range of colours, so they can suit most interior décor, with a little bit of imagination.

4.       They offer superior heating performance.  The columns, the cast iron, and the shape mean that they offer excellent performance and are widely regarded as the shire horse of the radiator world. They are often used by institutions such as schools and offices because they are renowned for their high performance and low cost.

5.       Unbelievable, considering that they are made of cast iron, they are actually fairly lightweight. This means that they are easy to fit, easy to move and easy to transport. If you are having the radiator fitted by somebody else, you may not care, but if you are doing it yourself, then it may prove beneficial.

6.       Column radiators are easy to customise. Many retailers are able to have the radiators made to a bespoke specification, so before you decide on the one that you see in the shops, think about whether it is right for you, and if it isn’t then ask if they can make it to your own customisation.

If you would like to find out more about column radiators, then please visit our online store.

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What are the Advantages of Radiators Made of Stainless Steel?

Many people, when redecorating their homes, want to change their radiators too. One of the most popular styles that people are buying is stainless steel radiators. Is this just hype? Are people just following the fashions? Or, is there any justification for doing so? We are going to explore these questions below.

Stainless steel is a modern choice of material, and has only recently appeared within the heating industry. Traditional metals tend to by cast iron and aluminium. However, although relatively new to the market, stainless steel is certainly starting to take a prime position. Personally, we feel that this is warranted, and we think that by the time you reach the end of this article, that you too will come to feel the same.

·         Colour: as you know, stainless steel is silver and this confers several aesthetic benefits. Silver looks amazing, and it is a neutral colour. This means that it will suit all interior colour schemes. The only problem you may find here is in finding a style that suits the rest of your room. However, colour will never be a problem.

·      Glossy: relating closely to colour, the reflective surface is very important. The mirrored effect means that the radiator can radiate much more heat than it could were it finished in a matt, or indeed, in any other colour but silver. This means that on colour scale alone, they are far superior to the majority of other radiators, the only exception being those radiators that also have a reflective surface.

·         Energy Consumption: because the radiators emit more heat, they naturally use less energy than other types of radiator. You will require less electricity or gas to maintain your central heating system at a desired temperature. Clearly, this is great news for your wallet, because you will spend less, and given that energy prices are set to rise once more this winter, saving money can only be a good thing.

·         Durability: stainless steel is used within many different industries because it is very strong. It can withstand a lot of force and pressure. However, one of the key qualities with stainless steel is its elastic properties. Elasticity is an excellent quality for radiators to have because as they heat up, the material stretches, and as they cool, it shrinks back to place. Without the elastic properties, the metal would crack. Fortunately, there is none of the problem with stainless steel because it has such a highly elastic form – it stretches and it shrinks without any problems.

·       Contemporary: stainless steel is a malleable metal, and so it can easily be moulded into a variety of different shapes. This means that you find many fun and funky designs in stainless steel radiators. For example, we have seen a bathroom radiator that looks like a collection of hangers, and another that looks like honeycomb.

As you can now appreciate, there are many advantages of choosing stainless steel radiators. If you would like further information, or you would like to browse a collection of radiators, then please visit us.

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Are Radiators Created Equal?

If you are thinking of changing your radiators and you are reading this article, then it is surely, because you have become confused and overwhelmed with the massive choice on offer. It seems that there are so many different types with so many different specifications, that it can be impossible to make a sensible decision. It would be much easier if all radiators were the same, and some people think that they are, unfortunately, this is not the case. Different radiators have different advantages and disadvantages, and your choice in radiator should reflect your needs. Below, we are going to consider the main differences between radiations, and how they can affect you. This will make it much easier for you to make the correct decision when buying your new radiators.

Size is Important

The larger the surface area of the radiator, the greater its heat output in comparison to a smaller, identical, radiator. You may assume that it is easy to work out surface area, because you just look at the radiator, if it’s bigger, it must have a bigger surface area, right? You guessed it, wrong. Radiator designers have created some ingenious ways of extending surface area. For instance, they may use fins and convectors, they may use columns, or they may use multiple panels. Fortunately, you don’t really have to think about this because the majority of manufactures will furnish you with details about the surface area, so you don’t have to do your own research.

Liquid Content

So, size is important, but it isn’t the be all and end all, there are other factors that make a difference too, one of which is the content of the radiator. Radiators are filled with different types of liquid, depending on the manufactures. Some may be filled with oil; others may be filled with water. According to most experts, the type of content makes little difference to the heat capacity. What does make a small difference, though, is volume. The lower the water content the better the heat output – but this difference is marginal, and so should only be used as a comparison when you are finding it difficult to make a decision between a choice of two to three radiators.

Shape and Style

Shape and style will help you to make up your mind about a radiator in terms of appearance, but it is relevant in terms of efficiency as well. You can find some intricate designs nowadays, which are designed to act as both a focal point, in an artistic manner, and to add surface area, and thus warmth.

Material

The material from which a radiator is made can make a substantial difference to the amount of heat given off. For example, chrome radiators are fantastic at radiating heat, but they are poor at holding heat. Chrome radiators tend to kick out a lot of heat while they are on, but as soon as they are off, they lose their heat quickly. However, cast iron radiators tend to heat up slowly, but conserve their heat much longer.

If you are interested in purchasing a new radiator, and you would like more information, then please visit online shop.

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