Basket

Free delivery on orders over £75 ex VAT

Earn points with My City Plumbing Rewards

Free click & collect from branches nationwide

Buy now, pay later interest free

City plumbing

Help And Advice

Radiator Faqs

Radiator FAQs

Selecting the Right Radiator:

Do I need a single or double radiator?

Double radiators have additional tubes, rows, or columns that increase heat output on the same wall space.

Double radiators add, on average, a BTU increase of around a third compared to single radiators.

In order to work out the exact BTU requirements for any room, head over to our handy BTU calculator.

Does radiator design affect heat output?

Yes. The shape, size, and aesthetics of radiators all affect heat output.

Does radiator material affect heat output?

The three most common radiator materials are Steel, Cast Iron, and Aluminium.

Steel radiators provide excellent temperature control and are available in a range of both traditional and modern designs. They heat up and cool down quickly, providing decent efficiency and temperature control.

Cast iron radiators are more traditional, and have been utilised since the Victorian era. They take a while to reach the set temperature, but they remain hot for a long time after the heating is turned off. Cast iron radiators are commonly seen in old, drafty homes with high heat loss.

Aluminium radiators are extremely quick to heat up, and give homeowners the most control over their heat.

What’s the most effective type of radiator?

Aluminium radiators are widely considered the best when it comes to efficiency. Aluminium is an excellent heat conductor, which allows rooms to be heated up extremely quickly.

Our wide range of aluminium radiators can be found here.

Positioning Your Radiator:

What’s the best positioning for my radiators?

Traditionally, radiators are placed in the coldest part of the room. This is typically under windows or near doors. Modern homes are better insulated, meaning radiator positioning matters less, and radiator positioning can be determined by aesthetics and available space.

How far apart should I space my radiators?

A general rule is to have one radiator every four metres (14 feet) in every room. This rule isn’t set in stone, especially as radiator shapes and sizes vary.

Are two radiators always better than one large radiator?

Yes, especially in larger spaces. The more radiators you have, the more evenly heat is distributed throughout the room, resulting in greater efficiency.

What clearances do I need above and below a radiator?

It is recommended to allow 100mm below and at least 50mm above each radiator to prevent heat blockage and allow heat to be efficiently distributed around the room.

Radiator Maintenance:

Why is my radiator cold at the bottom?

This is usually due to a build up of sludge, dirt, or rust in the system. Bleeding and draining the radiator usually fixes this problem.

Why radiators make noise:

Clicking radiator noises are caused by the metal contracting and expanding as the radiator heats up or cools down. This is typically nothing to worry about.

Banging radiator noises are typically due to kettling. Kettling often occurs in hard water areas, where limescale builds up within the system and blocks the pipes. Boiler technicians can be called out to fix this issue.

Gurgling radiator noises are commonly caused by air in the system. You can use a radiator key to loosen the radiator valves, then wait for the air to escape before closing the valves.

Radiator Design:

Can radiators be painted?

Radiators can be painted, as long as they are completely cool and switched off during the process. Keep in mind that painting your radiator may lead to slight energy losses, which is amplified with each layer of paint.