Radiators heat a room by transferring heat from hot water into the metal body of the radiator, then into the surrounding air and nearby surfaces. The boiler or heat pump heats the water, a pump moves it around the pipework, and each radiator releases part of that heat into the room before the cooler water Read more »
A radiator should be chosen for the room first and the style second. That sounds obvious, but it is where many poor radiator choices begin. A radiator can look perfect on the wall and still leave the room slow to warm if the heat output is wrong, the Delta T rating is misunderstood, or the Read more »
Looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and adopt more sustainable solutions in your everyday life? You should out-commission your old gas boiler and replace it with a more modern biomass boiler that uses renewable plant-based materials instead of fossil fuel! Biomass boilers burn wood pellets or chips to produce heat and boil water. Read more »
The right radiator size is the one that can replace the heat a room loses on a cold day. That sounds simple, but it is why guessing by room size alone often leads to disappointment. Two rooms with the same floor area can need very different radiators if one has large windows, more external walls, Read more »
Type 11, Type 21 and Type 22 radiators are panel radiator configurations. The numbers tell you how many panels and convector fins the radiator has, which affects heat output, depth and suitability for different rooms. The mistake is choosing by type alone. A Type 22 usually gives more heat than a similar-sized Type 11, but Read more »
Central heating inhibitor is a chemical added to wet heating systems to reduce corrosion, sludge and scale-related problems. It is not glamorous, but it helps protect radiators, pipework, pumps and boilers from the dirty water problems that quietly damage performance. The important caveat is that inhibitor is prevention, not a magic cleaner. If the system Read more »
A house that is hot upstairs and cold downstairs usually has a heat movement problem, not two unrelated comfort problems. Warm air rises, sunlight and loft spaces can overheat upper rooms, while downstairs rooms may be shaded, draughty or slower to receive heat from the heating system. The right fix depends on when it happens. Read more »
LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas. It is a portable fuel used where mains gas is unavailable or inconvenient, from patio heaters and barbecues to caravans, forklifts, rural homes and some commercial heating systems. The useful thing about LPG is that it can be stored as a liquid under pressure and used as a gas Read more »
The ideal room temperature is not one fixed number for every home. Comfort depends on the room, activity, clothing, humidity, draughts, age, health and how quickly the building loses heat. For many UK homes, a living-room setting around 18 to 21C is a practical starting point, while bedrooms are often comfortable slightly cooler. The goal Read more »
Hot water cylinders are easy to ignore until showers run cold, pressure disappoints or a replacement is needed. The big decision is usually whether the home should keep a vented cylinder or move to an unvented one. The difference is not just the cylinder. It affects water pressure, loft tanks, safety controls, installation rules, maintenance Read more »
