Radiator systems are an essential home comfort and also find use in many industrial and commercial settings. In the United Kingdom, several radiator types have risen to the top – like hot air – and see a huge amount of use. Here is a brief guide to the most popular kinds of radiator systems in the UK.
Central Heating Radiator
Traditional central heating radiators are the most popular kinds of heating appliance in UK homes. These radiators are filled with water that flows directly from the central boiler within a home. This means that they can be controlled using a central thermostat. Most modern thermostats can be set to automatically distribute hot water to radiators if the temperature drops below a desirable level. Aesthetically, most central heating radiators in the UK fall into two different groups. Thin, white radiators populate the wall spaces of most homes constructed after 1930. Thick cast iron radiators may be present in older homes, schools and businesses. Joseph Nason and Robert Briggs invented the cast iron central heating radiator in 1863. Early cast iron radiators were often lavishly decorated in order to fit in with the neo gothic architecture of the time.
Trench Radiator
Trench radiators are heated up in much the same way as traditional paneled central heating systems. Trench heating is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – a system wherein radiators are buried in channels along the edge of a room. These radiators are extremely discreet and allow a person to make full use of all the space within a building for other things. They are well-suited to homes that have large glass doors and windows. Because trench radiators are buried just underneath where windows are fitted, they cause hot air to rise past any flowing cold air from the outside – preventing the ingress of drafts.
Electric Radiator
Electric radiators – otherwise known as fan heaters – blast air over an electrical heating element and transfer warm air into the room. They are effective at quickly changing the temperature of a space and are popular on indoor construction sites and in industrial settings. Small domestic fan heaters are also very popular. Unfortunately, these devices often produce a very dry and unpleasant heat. Fan heaters have become less popular in domestic settings in recent years due to their potential to constitute a fire risk. If fan heaters are left in confined spaces for long periods of time, they can ignite any nearby flammable objects.
Oil Radiator
Oil radiators use electricity to heat up thermal fluid – essentially just a heat conductive oil. They are relatively cost efficient for heating up single rooms but tend to be more suited for semi-portable domestic use instead of permanent use. They operate as individual units and cannot usually be linked to a central heating system. Because of the cost-of-living crisis that is impacting nearly every area of British life, oil heaters now cost around 68 pence per hour to run.
