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Free, Fast DeliveryDo radiator materials affect heating output?
You might not think that the material a radiator is made out of can have an impact on the amount of heat a radiator emits. You might not even be aware that radiators come in different materials.
However, not all radiator materials are created equal. In fact, there are several types of different metals that radiators are manufactured from and it's worth knowing the differences before making a radiator purchase.
The best heat conducting material
When it comes to radiators, the less energy you can use to heat your room, the better it is for your heating bills.
So, if you can get a radiator in a material that is a good heat conductor, then your heating bills will be lower than if you installed a radiator made of a less conductive metal.
Aluminium Radiators
Undoubtedly, the best type of rad for energy saving and lowering your heating bills are aluminium radiators.
Aluminium is a better conductor of heat than mild steel, which is another common radiator manufacturing material.
In practise, it means that aluminium radiators get up to the desired temperature very quickly, using less energy to heat the water inside.
Not only does it mean your heating bills can be lower, it also has the benefit of meaning your cold room feels warm speedily.
Another benefit of aluminium radiators is that aluminium is one of the most easily recyclable metals on the planet. This means that when your rad reaches the end of its natural life, the aluminium can be reused by future generations.
Indeed, we are very proud of the fact that we stock some aluminium radiators that are made from 100% recycled aluminium.
Steel radiators
The most common type of metal used to manufacture radiators is mild steel. After highlighting how great aluminium is at conducting heat, it's worth noting that steel is pretty good at it too.
The main benefit that steel radiators have over their aluminium counterparts is that they are often much cheaper initially.
If you are on a strict budget or have a lot of radiators to replace, then the cost of installing steel radiators can work out much cheaper and you don't have to stump up as much up front.
Additionally, you can often find a lot more choice of styles and sizes with mild steel radiators, which often tips the balance in their favour.
Radiator material choice is a personal preference
So, as you can see, what your radiator is made from does have an impact on the heat output (BTUs) of a radiator.
However, which metal you decide to choose is not a straightforward decision due to various factors discussed above.
Ultimately you need to choose a radiator that suits your budget, will heat your room comfortably and fits in with your overall interior design scheme. That's the fun of selecting a new radiator!
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