Which Radiators Are The Most Cost & Energy Efficient

With the wide variety of radiators available these days it is hard to know which will be the most efficient, both in terms of cost and energy. We are all watching our wallets right now and no one wants to spend a lot on a product that will not serve us well. Designer Radiator Showroom offers radiators to suit all homes, in a variety of materials. Below we have outlined a guide to the efficiency of different radiator materials.

CAST-IRON

Cast-iron radiators look stunning in traditionally styled rooms. But are they efficient? Cast iron heats up slowly and cools down slowly. This means they may not warm the room as quick as you would like but once they are up to temperature they will stay warm for longer than more modern styles. This means you may not need to keep the heating on as long as expected, saving you money on your bills. This makes them a great choice for large areas, living rooms and bedrooms. They can come with a hefty price tag though, but typically lost a long time.

ELECTRIC

Electric radiators are excellent for small spaces that are not typically as busy in your home, guest bedrooms for example. By only turning them on when you need you save the cost of having them continuously on. Obviously, the electric bills need to be considered so having a whole house of electric radiators is not ideal, but for intermittent use they are perfect. They are quick to heat, but very quick to cool down, so may need to be kept on for longer, costing more.

STEEL

Steel is a highly conductive material which heats up quickly. Steel radiators retain heat well so your heating does not need to stay on continuously to keep you warm. Steel is perhaps the most popular material radiators are manufactured in, so you are sure to find a huge range of styles. However, steel radiators typically have a shorter lifespan as they are prone to degrading and rusting. You may find you need to replace steel radiators more often than other materials, costing you more money in the long run. By properly taking care of your radiators and having them powerflushed you can slow down this degradation massively and breathe a new lease of life into your boiler and radiators.

STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel offers all the benefits of their steel counterparts but with a huge bonus: they require much less maintenance and are much less prone to rusting and degradation. By paying a little bit more for something that will last longer and maintain its excellent look and performance, you are saving money in the long run.

ALUMINIUM

Aluminium radiators truly shine when it comes to efficiency. Aluminium is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning less energy is used bringing your radiator up to temperature. Aluminium radiators typically use a lower amount of water, which puts less strain on your boiler. Aluminium radiators are great at heating up quickly, although they are fairly quick to cool down. But by using less water, they are still more efficient even when run for longer. By installing aluminium radiators in your home you could save as much as 15% on your energy bills than compared to a home with radiators manufactured in alternative materials.

Aluminium is also a more environmentally friendly material – it can be recycled and reused easily.

Once your aluminium radiator can no longer be used, it will be dismantled and the materials can be reused.

CHROME

Chrome is a very popular choice for towel rails and towel bars. It is a perfect material for adding some shine to your bathroom, and a little extra heat. Chrome is not the best conductor of heat, typically producing around 15% less heat than its steel and aluminium alternatives. While this might not be the best option for high-performing radiators, it is perfect to warm towels.

Overall, each radiator material type has its own pros and cons, and suitability for different purposes. Consider chrome and electric for smaller spaces and extra sources of heat. Choose steel, aluminium and cast-iron for delivering impressive heat outputs and warming larger spaces. We pride ourselves on offering a range of radiators and towel rails with a minimum 5 year guarantee, all the way up to a 25 year guarantee. We promise to deliver a long-lasting and stylish designer product.

Still can’t decide? Our team are on hand Mon-Sat to help you find the perfect radiator for you.

Give us a call on 01257452879 or send an email to sales@designerradiatorshowroom.co.uk