Types of Radiators: Pros and Cons for Best Heating System

Choosing a radiator often seems to be a daunting and complicated task.  With endless choices available in the marketplace and knowing full well this is a decision you’l need to live with, literally for all the winters that lie ahead, you certainly don’t want to make a decision you may later regret.  Which types of radiators will provide the most comfort, which look and color suit our home, which style complements our decor, which size is suitable for our specified heating requirements and where will the radiator be installed are just a few of the questions that must be answered.

To help, here are tips to gain the knowledge you need in order to make an informed and suitable decision for your specific heating needs, allowing you to add warmth, style, comfort, and value to your home.

Understanding the Pros and Cons of the Different Types of Radiators

Each type of radiator has its own pros and cons.  Here are a few  to be considered when choosing the best radiator for your home:

Cast Iron Radiators

There are two main reasons as to why people would choose the cast iron radiator for their home. First, the style looks beautiful in Art Deco, Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian type houses. Second, cast iron is the most efficient conductor of heat.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages you need to know about this type of radiator:

Pros

• Excellent conductors of heat
• Work best in large spaces, especially in those with high ceilings
• Can be custom-built to exact size specifications, specifically heat output requirements, design for each room space, and colors

Cons

• Expensive, not for the economically-minded

Stainless Steel Radiators

Stainless steel radiators bring an artistic modern flair to a home. These types of radiators are hand-crafted, giving the buyer a product with superior craftsmanship. They are also durable, easy to maintain, and customizable.  Stregnths and weaknesses include:

Pros

• Tolerant of extreme temperatures
• Easily customized in terms of size
• Responds well to frequent cleaning

Cons

• Expensive, not for the economically-minded

Steel Radiators

Steel Radiators are popular because there are many different models and sizes available. They are very well-priced, in comparison to other types of rads as well.  If you’re in the market for this type of radiator, here are some important facts you need to know:

Pros

• Variety of sizes
• Easy to maintain
• Economically priced

Cons

• Only available in white

Fan Convectors

Fan convectors provide the optimum heating solutions for particular spaces and scenarios. They are known for their good amount of heat output in a more compact format.  Using forced convection, they distribute heat evenly throughout a room. The following points should assist you in making a good choice for your heating needs:

Pros

• Able to switch on and off, will provide an instantaneous heat source
• Direction of heat is controlled and equally distributed
• By design, a low surface temperature appliance eliminates the risk of injury due to hot surfaces
• Easy to run and install

Cons

• The movement of the fan may not be to everybody’s liking
• Dust can be found in the filter and motor
• Uses electricity to run the fan motor

Now, that we have tackled the different types of radiators for your home, let’s move on to the different styles. You’re going to be armed with all the information that you need after reading this.

Picking the Best Radiator Style for Your Home – Pros and Cons

Wall Hung Radiators

These are radiators that are installed on the wall. Here are a string of advantages to this style of radiator, including:

Pros

• Energy savings
• Silent operation
• Environmentally friendly
• Comfortable, non-dry, rapid, evenly distributed heat

Cons

• Wall must be able to support the weight of the radiator

Floor Standing Radiators (Cast Iron Radiators)

Whether modern or traditional, floor-standing radiators are built to size and also consider heat requirements. If you’re interested in this type of radiator, here is the most essential information you need to know:

Pros

• Can be configured to either water or steam systems
• Units are delivered with the necessary size and location of connections
• Professionally painted with the paint color of your choice
• Dependable

Cons

• Bulkier type of radiator
• Surfaces can get hot
• Dust can accumulate between sections

Making the Best Choices for Your Home Heating

When choosing the proper heating system for your home, time and effort is needed to gather the right information. The purpose of this guide is to lead you towards purchasing the ideal heating system, one that lets you and your family feel warm, comfortable, and stylish!

For more tips, check out the heating systems at JustRads  where you will experience the expertise and knowledge from their team, and learn all about the best types of radiators as well as the perfect heating solution for your needs.