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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Radiator for Your Home

“How to choose a radiator for my room?”
“How do I determine a radiator’s size?”
“Why is choosing the right size radiator essential?”
“Which radiator should I choose?”
“Where should the radiator be placed?”

Are these questions buzzing in your mind? If the answer is yes, then this comprehensive guide is the best solution you can have to get answers to all the above questions. At the end of this read, you will be confident enough to choose a radiator based on your room size and spot its best location for optimal heating. This article is a guidebook to:

  1. The types of radiators
  2. The styles of radiator
  3. The radiator materials
  4. Heat loss calculator
  5. Radiator replacement
  6. Tips to maintain radiator efficiency

Whether you’re browsing online or visiting stores, this guide will help you make informed decisions about radiators that perfectly blend aesthetics and efficiency.

Types Of Radiators

When considering radiator types, you will firstly need to think about how you want it to be heated. There are a few options for this:

Central Heating Radiators

Central heating radiators are the traditional and the most used radiators in UK households. They add warmth to rooms through the hot water (heated by a central boiler) running through their hollow metal panels. The amount of heat that is generated by this radiator type and the rate at which it warms a room, will depend on:

  • The size, style, and material you choose
  • The size, style and efficiency of your property
  • The level of comfort you want to achieve

For added convenience, these radiators often come with their own temperature setting options in the form of manual or thermostatic radiator valves to suit your personal heat preference for each room or zone in your house.

Dual Fuel Radiators

Dual fuel radiators are highly advantageous options as they can function as individual radiators as well as central heating radiators. They offer flexibility in usage, are cost-effective in terms of fuel usage, and are environmentally friendly. Essentially, they provide property owners with the option to heat the radiator using electric, even if your central heating system is turned off. It is a popular heating method for energy-conscious homes and commercial dwellings.

Electric Radiators

As the name suggests, these radiators need an electric element to heat the thermo-fluid filling their hollow metal panels and warm the space around them. These radiators are perfect for warming just one room rather than centralised heating. All you need to do is simply plug these radiators into the main electricity supply. These can ideally be used to warm spaces like loft conversions or conservatories and new extensions where there’s no plumbing. As per 2023 statistical insight, around 26% of the UK households make use of electrical radiators.

Oil-filled Radiators

Oil-filled radiators are like electric radiators in terms of their usage. These can be individually used and run on electricity. When plugged into the electricity source, the oil inside the metal panels gets heated up and the heat is transferred to the surrounding air in the room and warms it up. Even after switching it off, the rad emits heat for a long time afterwards until it has completely cooled down and is therefore considered a cost-effective solution.

Styles Of Radiators

With the wide variety of radiator styles available on the market today, they’ve evolved from something to conceal into key design elements in modern homes. Radiators are no longer hidden away or blended into the background – in fact, many people now showcase them as a stylish focal point in a room. Additionally, with energy costs at an all-time high, it’s essential to consider heat output and efficiency to ensure maximum comfort at minimal cost. Here are some of the most popular radiator styles found in UK households:

Panel Radiators

These wall-mounted radiators can be further classified into single-panel or double-panel radiators. With a series of parallel pipes, these are well-suited for huge, spacious rooms and hallways. They are quite space-efficient, though there are better-scoring radiator options in terms of efficiency. They are most used as part of central heating systems.

Horizontal Radiators

These trendy radiators are among the most popular options available. Many people still think of horizontal radiators as the traditional style white panel rads of the 70s and 80s but fear not, today, they are available in a wealth of sizes and colours to suit modern or traditional spaces regardless of size or aesthetic! As their name suggests, they are wider in shape than they are in height and tend to be slimline and easy to fit in anywhere, making them a great choice for large family rooms to small box rooms. Because this style is more common, they tend to be less pricey, with more choice.

Vertical Radiators

As the name suggests, these radiators are more tall than wide. These space-friendly vertical radiators are often used for hallways and living rooms with unusual layouts and limited wall space. They are easy to install, and the size you choose depends on your heat output requirement, flooring, available space, and ceiling height. If choosing a vertical radiator, you need to take note of its style, quality, BTU rating (British Thermal Unit), price, and the need for extra accessories. If you want to make a statement, or complement a modern, sleek interior, this style is a great option.

Column Radiators

If you don’t want to compromise on your room’s heating efficiency and aesthetics, column radiators are the best option for you. The main differences between a column radiator and the modern, panel style radiators are that they are formed of metal columns, typically created from iron, which are positioned on the floor instead of directly attached to the wall. These radiators are not meant to be hidden. They are designed to be displayed prominently and stand out from the wall so you will need to offer them the space they deserve. There is a diverse range of style options available from intricate, ornate designs to simple, minimalist finishes.

Typically, these radiators feature two horizontal tubes along with their signature columns. Hot water flows from the tubes into the columns, delivering essential heat to the room. The key advantage lies in the columns themselves—multiple columns improve heating efficiency and allow warmth to spread more quickly throughout the space. While they function just like modern hot water radiators, their classic design adds an extra layer of style and character.

Towel Radiators

If you wish to choose a bathroom radiator, towel radiators can work well. Styled in the form of a ladder, these are perfect for keeping your towels warm while hanging. They score high in terms of design, practicality, and utility in bathrooms. You can choose from traditional chrome-plated styles to contemporary stainless-steel versions and even electrical ones.

Designer Radiators

Designer radiators are often a designer piece you wish to show off in your living room. They are pleasing to the eyes and are effectively designed to warm the space. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, these radiators can easily be adapted to fit in a room of any size and shape. These radiators make a bold style statement as they are available even in bright colours and subtle tones to suit your taste and the room’s decor.

Convector Radiators

These vintage radiators have been here since Victorian times. These highly efficient convector radiators consist of multiple individual sections that can be increased or decreased to match your size requirement. They are cleverly designed to heat a room efficiently by using both radiation and convection with their metal fins (convectors), attached to the back of the panel, which help circulate warm air around a room more quickly. The fins are hidden behind a flat or slightly curved front panel which gives them a sleek and simple look, perfect for modern homes.

They are popular because they heat rooms faster than standard radiators, making them more efficient, and they come in a variety of sizes to fit different spaces. Plus, they’re generally affordable and easy to install.

Radiator Materials

Aluminium

Aluminium radiators heat up spaces quickly due to their excellent heat conductivity. They are lightweight, making installation easy, and are considered one of the most modern and efficient options for those seeking cost-effective heating solutions. While they offer long-term energy savings, the initial purchase price can be quite high. However, they come with several advantages: aluminium radiators are anti-corrosive, recyclable, and lightweight, making them a durable and eco-friendly choice.

Cast iron

Cast iron radiators were very popular during the Victorian era. They have been the most durable radiator material and will last for many years. These heavy radiators take a long time to heat up but also remain warm for an equally long duration even after turn-off. This quality makes them an ideal choice for big spaces or statement rooms.

Steel

Steel radiators are among the most popular choices for central heating in UK households. They combine the key advantages of both vintage cast iron and modern aluminium radiators. Steel radiators heat up more quickly than cast iron models and retain warmth longer than aluminium, making them highly efficient. They are distinguished as mild steel and stainless steel. Both are durable, resistant to corrosion, and recyclable, offering a long-lasting and eco-friendly heating solution. 

Heat Loss Calculator Or A BTU Calculator

When it comes to choosing the right radiator, it is important to estimate how much heat is needed to keep your space comfortably warm. A tool called a Heat Loss Calculator or BTU (British Thermal Unit) calculator will help you do this. It considers factors such as the size of the room, insulation, window types, and the number of exterior walls, all of which affect how much heat is lost. Using this information, the calculator provides the required BTU output for your radiator which ensures you select a rad with enough power to efficiently heat the room, preventing under- or over-sizing. Both of which could lead to poor heating performance or wasted energy.

There are multiple radiator manufacturers who will have a heat loss calculator on their website, that helps you determine the amount of heat needed to warm your room space. The BTU calculation for each room varies, and so will the radiator type needed. For example, living rooms are generally warmer compared to bedrooms and kitchens. Whilst 20 degrees might be sufficient for the living room, 19 degrees maybe desirable for the bedroom.

The factors to be considered during a BTU calculation include:

  • The room’s dimensions, i.e., the ceiling’s width, depth and height. That’s basically the overall volume of the room.
  • Existing insulation.
  • Window size and whether the windows are single-glazed or double-glazed.
  • The positioning of your room and the number of outside walls it has.

When all these factors are put in place, the BTU calculator determines how efficient your radiator needs to be to keep your home warm and comfortable. The result is given in BTUs (British Thermal Units) or kilowatts (KWs), which represent the amount of heat the room needs to reach a comfortable temperature.

For example, if the calculator shows your room needs 1.5KWs of heat, it will suggest different types of radiators that can meet that requirement. If you prefer a compact option, a double panel double convector radiator would be a good choice. These radiators have two panels and convectors, which help them produce more heat in a smaller space.

For instance, a compact radiator measuring 50cm by 50cm with two panels can generate more heat than a larger, single-panel radiator that’s 1.2 metres wide. This makes double-panel radiators more efficient and space-saving.

Radiator Replacement

If wish to replace your existing radiator setup, you need to first note down the dimensions of the existing radiator. By dimensions, we specifically mean the width of the radiator. Choosing a bigger or smaller radiator in comparison to the existing one will raise concerns.

Imagine the pipes coming out of the wall or through the floor and the amount of extra pipework needed if a smaller radiator is chosen as a replacement. To make new connections, you need to get the pipework done above the floor level, which will give an undesirable look to the place. Incorporating the pipework underneath the floor will involve the hassle of taking up the carpets or floorboards or even cutting up the wooden hardwood or laminate floor covering. The entire process will become too time-consuming and expensive. However, if a change of flooring or carpet at the time of radiator replacement had always been a part of your plan, then that is altogether a different situation.

During replacement, apart from the size of the radiator, its positioning in the room is another factor to be considered from a heating perspective. For example, if you currently have an old leaking and corroded radiator bent or welded to fit inside the bay, then you might consider taking out this big single-panel radiator and replacing it with a double-panel radiator in the centre of the bay. The pipework can then be adjusted above the skirting or below the floor.

Remember:

In an ideal scenario, the heating requirement of the room depends on the following:

What floor is the room on?
Is it the ground floor? Or a ground floor with an unheated basement where cold air travels up from below? If your room is on the first floor and there is another heated room underneath, you are benefited by the heat from below.

How many outside walls are there?
Are those walls cavity walls, solid walls, or insulated ones?

How many windows are there in the room – what is the size of those windows and are they single or double glazed?

What is above the room – is it an insulated roof space, or is it another heated room?

Expert Tips To Maintain Radiator Efficiency

Managing Director, Oliver Osmore at Happy Dog Plumbing shares his top three tips for radiator efficiency:

Tip 1: Avoid placing the radiators in a wall shell/alcove. Although it ensures that the radiator does not protrude further than the line of the wall, it does stop the radiator from working as effectively as it should.

Tip 2: The best place to position the radiator in a room is underneath the window (an energy efficient window of course). This allows the warm air to circulate through the room. Also, there is more even heat distribution throughout the room.

Tip 3: People often cover their radiators to enhance their aesthetics. But this is a big no. Covers obstruct the airflow around the radiator, hampering its efficiency and effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

Now that we are in the concluding section of the blog, we hope you feel more confident about how to choose an energy-efficient and aesthetically sound radiators for your home. Remember, the radiator’s material, size, style and positioning can play a significant role in heat output, so make your choice carefully. If you still need reassurance, call our Happy Dog professional experts for advice and installation assistance. We’d love to help.

Don’t forget, once installation is complete, you might need to polish up your knowledge on radiator maintenance such as how to remove radiator sludge. Check out our blog for more helpful knowledge and advice.