Radiator Guide
Column Radiators
A column radiator is usually a sectional radiator made up of seperate pieces that can be fitted together depending on the required size and output, meaning that you can completely tailor a column radiator to fit your room perfectly. Column radiators are often very traditional in appearance though there are increasingly more interesting designs, such as the Myson Column Bench Radiator.
Designer Radiators (feature radiators)
Designer radiators offer the most artistic and unique look to your room. From sleek and black and designer towel rails our Reina radiators holds a particularly unusual range of stainless steel and focal point feature radiators.
Standard Panel Radiators
This is a standard non sectional radiator that is available in a number of sizes to suit any need. Standard panel radiators come in three particular styles:
Single Panel Single Convector Radiator
A single panel single convector radiator (also known as a K1) has a front panel and a single convector behind. They also usually have a smaller BTU output, so are ideal for rooms with less heat loss or with the use of a larger radiator in the same room, depending on your needs.
Double Panel Single Convector Radiator
A double panel single convector radiator (also known as a P+) has both a front and back panel with a single convector inbetween. They usually produce more BTU’s than the K1 but not as many as the K2 in respective of the same size radiators. They also have a smaller depth from the wall as opposed to the K2.
Double Panel Double Convector Radiator
A double panel double convector (also known as a K2) has both a front and back panel with two convectors inbetween. They usually have a larger BTU output than the K1 and P+ and are ideal for rooms with a greater heat loss factor.
Compact Radiators
A compact radiator is basically just a standard panel radiator that has end panels and a top grill. In other words there are no gaps between the radiator panels.
Low Surface Temperature Radiators (LST Radiators)
Low surface temperature radiators comply with NHS Estates Health Guidance Notes 1998 and are supplied with casing to ensure the surface temperature never exceeds 43 degrees centigrade. LST radiators are ideal for hospitals,nurseries or rooms for children, elderly or disabled people.
LST radiators come with a built in thermostat which monitors the room temperature, when the desired temperature has been reached it cuts out the electricity to the heater and uses a built in mini central heating system, which continues to circulate warm air around the room, keeping a stable temperature.
Low Surface Temperature Radiators are ideal for use in children's bedrooms as they are a great way of increasing safety in the home.
Fan Convector Radiators
Fan convector radiators are available in both electric, hydronic (water) or as a duo and produce high outputs of heat using only a small amount of space. There are several different ranges of fan convectors, which can be fitted from, under the kitchen cupboards, to in the ceiling itself. The duo option gives you the flexibility to switch from electric to hydronic and vice versa.
Electric Radiators
Electric radiators work by liquid (usually oil) being heated by an electrical element inside the radiator, which then heats the room like a normal radiator. With an electric radiator there is no pipe work making installation easier, however they can cost considerably more to run than the more conventional radiator.
Towel Rails (Towel Warmers)
Towel rails are essentially small radiators designed for bathrooms, with a rail allowing you to drape your towel over them.
Towel warmers are available in both electric and wet system (central heating system), however with the wet system it is possible to use a duel fuel kit (which fits inside the radiator) allowing the radiator to be run through the electricity when the central heating is off, this is very useful in the summer months.
Tower rails also come is a vast range of designs, styles and materials, creating an option for every bathroom.
Valves (Manual and Thermostatic)
All radiators ran through a central heating system will require the use of valves. There are two types of valve, Manual and Thermostatic (or TRV).
Manual Valves
The manual radiator valve is the more basic of the two. Manual valves work by controlling the flow of hot water to the radiator and can be adjusted manually by hand. Unlike the TRV, it is not sensitive to a rooms temperature, so will continue to produce heat until it is turned down.
Thermostatic Valves
The thermostatic radiator valve is sensitive to a room’s temperature. It works by a sensor in the head of the valve expanding as the temperature rises, pressing against a pin inside the valve, causing the valve to close, and therefore reducing the hot water flow to the radiator. The thermostatic valve re-opens when the room’s temperature decreases below the desired temperature, helping to keep a steady flow of heat.
Valve Sizes
Valves are available for several pipe sizes, usually 8mm, 10mm or 15mm and straight (also known as in-line) or angled connections, the type of connection will depend on where your pipe work comes from (i.e. the floor or wall) to where the radiator connection is. Most households will have pipe work that is 15mm however it is always best to check with your fitter before purchasing goods.
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