| Whilst not as romantic as an open fire, the | | | | Radiator panels, reflective foil, radiator fans |
| radiator is still the most used heating appliance | | | | Both these systems work in the same way. |
| used today. Generally they are an efficient and | | | | Either the reflective foil or the radiator panel is |
| cost effective method of heating homes. Hwever, | | | | placed on the wall behind the radiator. As they are |
| the concept of the radiator has been around a | | | | reflective they reflect the radiated heat back into |
| long time – the Romans were purported to | | | | the room which increases the heat output of the |
| have basic radiators systems and underfloor | | | | radiators, allowing you to turn them down. |
| heating – and as a method of heating our | | | | A radiator fan, commonly known as a radiator |
| homes the radiator is not perfect. | | | | booster, uses a similar principle but rather than |
| Radiators suffer from two design faults which | | | | reflect the heat back it uses a small electric fan |
| inhibit their efficiency. Firstly, they are positioned | | | | to blow the warm air back into the room. |
| flat against walls, whilst this is obviously the best | | | | |
| place for them to save space, it means half their | | | | Radiator Panels Can Save 20% on heating bills |
| radiant heat is being directed at the wall. | | | | Automatic radiator valves |
| Secondly, radiators are a pressurised plumbing | | | | Radiator valves, automatically bleed the radiators. |
| system. Airlocks can commonly build up which | | | | When air builds up it can be released by turning |
| prevents the hot water from getting to all of the | | | | the bleed valve which will let the air escape. |
| radiators. | | | | However, it can often be easy forgotten to |
| However there are several methods to get | | | | regularly do it or in older systems that need |
| around these problems and increase the efficiency | | | | bleeding daily it can be a chore. The automatic |
| of the heating system as well as reducing the | | | | radiator valve will do the job for you and ensure |
| cost of heating your homes. | | | | there are no air locks in the heating system. |